Cannabis Child Safety Act: Protecting Our Children and Regulating Cannabis Edibles

In recent times, New York has witnessed a growing concern, one that should weigh heavily on the hearts and minds of all who cherish the well-being of our youngest citizens. An article in the New York Post, published on September 3, 2023, paints a distressing picture of the unintended consequences of cannabis legalization. The article underscores the urgency of addressing a pressing issue - the accidental consumption of cannabis-laced candies by our children. 

As the sponsor of Senate Bill S5981, I want to delve deeper into the matter and emphasize the gravity of the situation. The expansion of marijuana legalization in our state, while a significant stride forward, has cast a spotlight on unforeseen risks. The rise in incidents involving children becoming ill after ingesting cannabis-infused edibles is deeply unsettling. Stony Brook University Hospital's data corroborates this alarming trend, revealing a near tripling of cases, from five in 2020 to 13 in 2022, as reported in the New York Post. These cases, which affect children as young as one year old, underscore the urgent need for action. 

The heart-wrenching scenarios described in the article must spur us to take decisive measures. It is our responsibility as lawmakers to address this issue effectively while preserving the rights of adults to access legal cannabis products. Bill S5981 proposes a straightforward yet crucial solution: the mandatory use of child-resistant packaging for all edible cannabis products. 

This approach aligns not only with the concerns raised by the New York Post but also with the priorities of the American Academy of Pediatrics for the year 2023. The article, in fact, highlights that this issue is listed as one of their top legislative priorities. 

Citing instances where children have mistaken THC-infused candies for regular sweets, the article makes it clear that even small amounts of cannabis can pose severe risks to our children. A toddler weighing just 30 pounds can surpass the toxic threshold with a mere 2.5 milligrams of THC, far less than the standard 10-milligram dosage. 

Bill S5981, therefore, is not about regulation for regulations sake; it is about safeguarding the innocence and health of our children with the force of law. As per the New York Post, "New York rules require marijuana edibles to be put in child-resistant packaging." But a rule is not a strong enough safeguard. This legislation will codify and amplify fundamental steps towards preventing accidents that can lead to children experiencing symptoms ranging from lethargy to life-threatening complications. 

In conclusion, I implore my fellow legislators to lend their support to Bill S5981. Let us act swiftly to strike a balance between adult access to cannabis and the protection of our children. By doing so, we can create a safer, more secure environment for all New Yorkers. 

New York State Senator Luis Sepúlveda