New York State officials urge cannabis safety during National Poison Prevention week
Reports of cannabis exposures in children have been on the rise
Updated: 5:55 PM EDT Mar 18, 2026
It is National Poison Prevention Week, and New York State officials are highlighting proper storage of cannabis products. Especially to protect children and pets. “We might get 6 or 10 calls a year about kids getting into cannabis products, and that has risen steadily,” Assistant Clinical Director at the Upstate New York Poison Center Willie Eggleston said. New York state leaders say cannabis-related exposures, especially among children, remain a concern, and that’s why they’re urging New Yorkers to take extra precautions.”There are lots of, of items out there on the market for medications, including medication lock boxes and lock bags that can easily be kept in your home,” Eggleston said. “You can travel with them, and they just give you peace of mind.” Experts recommend keeping cannabis locked, out of sight and reach, and always in its original packaging. They also say products should be stored away from food and in areas kids and pets can’t access.”There’s exit packaging, which is tamper-proof, and making sure that it’s all child-resistant,” Inventory & Compliance Manager at Grass Hole Dispensary, Madison Worley, said. “We do have a lot of safety information around here, and we make sure that all of those products go out the door in that same day packaging.”Dispensaries like the Grass Hole in Plattsburgh are required to sell products in specific packaging, reminding customers about safe use and storage before they leave the store.”When I get home, my cannabis actually goes to my gun safe, and it’s locked, and my keys are always either with me or locked in my vehicle,” Canton resident Andy Ashlaw said. If you suspect a child or pet has been exposed to cannabis, experts say, don’t wait, and call your local poison center right away.
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. —
It is National Poison Prevention Week, and New York State officials are highlighting proper storage of cannabis products. Especially to protect children and pets.
“We might get 6 or 10 calls a year about kids getting into cannabis products, and that has risen steadily,” Assistant Clinical Director at the Upstate New York Poison Center Willie Eggleston said.
New York state leaders say cannabis-related exposures, especially among children, remain a concern, and that’s why they’re urging New Yorkers to take extra precautions.
“There are lots of, of items out there on the market for medications, including medication lock boxes and lock bags that can easily be kept in your home,” Eggleston said. “You can travel with them, and they just give you peace of mind.”
Experts recommend keeping cannabis locked, out of sight and reach, and always in its original packaging. They also say products should be stored away from food and in areas kids and pets can’t access.
“There’s exit packaging, which is tamper-proof, and making sure that it’s all child-resistant,” Inventory & Compliance Manager at Grass Hole Dispensary, Madison Worley, said. “We do have a lot of safety information around here, and we make sure that all of those products go out the door in that same day packaging.”
Dispensaries like the Grass Hole in Plattsburgh are required to sell products in specific packaging, reminding customers about safe use and storage before they leave the store.
“When I get home, my cannabis actually goes to my gun safe, and it’s locked, and my keys are always either with me or locked in my vehicle,” Canton resident Andy Ashlaw said.
If you suspect a child or pet has been exposed to cannabis, experts say, don’t wait, and call your local poison center right away.