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Cannabis Safety and Abuse Prevention for Kids and Young Adults
Underage use of cannabis and accidental exposure can result in health and developmental risks as well as legal consequences.
Preventing accidental ingestion and exposure
Common sense caution can help prevent children’s accidental exposure to cannabis. Follow these best practices to make sure kids stay safe.
- Talk to kids about cannabis and proper handling as you would any medicine. Let them know cannabis is an adult-only product, and why.
- Always keep cannabis out of reach of children, preferably in a locked box or cabinet. Put it away and out of reach of children, every time.
- Be a good host. Ask visitors to keep cannabis products stored safely, and inform visitors with kids that cannabis is present in your home.
- Ask ahead of time. When sending your kid to another person’s home, ask if cannabis is present in their home and what safety precautions are in place along with your usual safety checks.
- Educate your friends and family about how to talk to their own kids about cannabis.
In case of accidental cannabis ingestion
Treat cannabis as you would any medicine. In case of accidental ingestion, call the Poison Control Center Help Line at 800-222-1222 right away. Keep the number posted in your home and on your phone just in case.
Talking to kids about cannabis
A 2019 study found the legalization of responsible adult cannabis use is associated with a decline in youth cannabis consumption in those states. Meanwhile, a Duke University study found adolescents may be uniquely susceptible to lasting neurological damage from cannabis use.
Visit our Resource Center to learn more about talking to kids about cannabis.
