AUGUSTA — To better protect children and pets from accidentally ingesting cannabis, retailers across Maine are now offering free lockable storage bags.
It’s an expansion of a program first offered by the Office of Cannabis Policy in 2024. More than 140 medical and adult use cannabis retailers across Maine are giving out 12,000 of the storage bags.
“Like all other age-restricted and prescription products, cannabis and cannabis products should always be stored in a locked container that is out of reach and out of site for young people and pets,” said Alexis Soucy, director of media and stakeholder relations for the state cannabis office.
Statistics from America’s Poison Centers shows in the last 12 months, more than 11,000 cases of pediatric cannabis poisonings have occurred nationwide. That’s up from 5,530 reported cases just five years ago.
While statistics on pet exposure are more difficult to find, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center reported that it saw a “large jump in calls” about pets eating cannabis starting in 2019.
The culprits for children and pets are most often edibles and gummies, particularly those that look like candy.
Richelle Brossi, executive officer of Highbrow, a cannabis retailer with seven locations in Maine, said they participated in the pilot storage bag program starting back in 2024.
She said while edibles come in tamper resistant bags, when people get home, they don’t always remember to keep them secure. That’s where the bags come in.
“It’s just another level of protection,” she said. “Especially if someone has a child still exploring.”
At this point, the bags are available at participating retailers in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Kennebec and Somerset counties. They are scheduled to be made available to all other cannabis retailers by early November, according to the state cannabis office.