RIVERHEAD, NY — An organization in Riverhead is taking steps to ensure cannabis is stored safely and away from children and pets.

The Riverhead Community Awareness Program (CAP), announced recently that it is promoting adult cannabis safety by providing free locking bags to adults over 21.

The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act was signed into law in 2021, legalizing adult use cannabis, also known as marijuana, or recreational marijuana, CAP representatives said. Retail recreational dispensaries began opening in 2023.

The NYS Office of Cannabis Management encourages adults to take responsible steps to safely store cannabis products, Riverhead CAP representatives said.

“That means taking steps to ensure any cannabis at home is locked up, out of sight, and out of reach of children (and pets). Accidentally consuming cannabis products is a risk for children and animals that can result in cannabis toxicity or the need for emergency medical attention,” CAP representatives said.

According to Riverhead CAP, the New York City Poison Control Center reported 33 calls in Suffolk County in 2023 for children and teens who took cannabis edibles: 19 for children five and under and 14 for age 6 to 19. Those numbers rose steadily from 2017 and 2018 when there were no calls, they said. Those numbers went down slightly in 2024.

Recently, William Floyd Middle School students were sickened after eating marijuana gummies, police said.

According to Maria Mercurio-Zappala, associate director of the Poison Control Center, the calls in Suffolk County in 2023 were from both the public and health care providers.

“As health care providers become more comfortable in managing these patients, they stop calling the poison center,” she said. “Unfortunately, reporting to poison centers are not mandatory, and our numbers do not reflect the actual cases that are occurring.”

Also according to the CAP program, National Poison Data System, America’s Poison Centers, reported that from 2019 to 2025, poison centers managed 38,250 cannabis edible exposure cased in patients that were 0 to 19 years of age.

In January and February 2025, there were 1,298 cases, the group said; according to the oerganization’s website, cannabis products have become more accessible in homes as the number of states with legal medicinal and/or recreational cannabis continues to grow. Edible cannabis products are easily mistaken for regular food, candy or beverages making accidental ingestion common in children and adolescents, experts said.

In addition, the National Institutes of Health reported that young adults are increasingly consuming edibles, which pose unique public health challenges due to their greater risk of intoxication, Riverhead CAP said. NIH found that teens consume edibles primarily to reduce the likelihood of getting caught. Edibles are also attractive to those who do not like to smoke or have concerns about smoking, CAP representatives added.

Cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood may harm the developing brain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Risks include difficulty learning and problem-solving, increased risk of mental health issues, impaired driving, and potential for addiction. Compared with teens who do not use cannabis, those who do are more likely to quit high school or not get a college degree, experts added.

“No matter your view on adult cannabis use, I think we can all agree that children and teens should not have access to it,” said Felicia Scocozza, CAP executive director.

To reduce youth access in homes, CAP is providing free locking storage bags to Riverhead area residents over 21. Adults interested in a free locking bag can call CAP at 631-727-3722 or complete a quick Google form in English or Spanish to have a bag discreetly mailed to them.

“These locking bags are a great resource to have in the home because they prevent children and pets from accidentally ingesting marijuana, potentially saving you from emergency room visits,” said Isabella Marcucci, coordinator of the Riverhead Community Coalition for Safe and Drug-Free Youth. “Requesting a locking bag is easy and judgment-free.”

CAP has made multiple attempts to provide the bags free at the two new dispensaries in town, representatives said. “We are still hopeful they will reply to our outreach and partner with us on this initiative, as it’s the easiest way to get these bags in the hands of consumers,” said Scocozza.

Securely storing cannabis in a locked place and out of reach and sight of children and pets can help lower the risk of unintentional exposure, according to the NYS Department of Health. DOH also recommends keeping cannabis products in their original packaging, CAP reps said. Labels on cannabis products from licensed dispensaries will have important information including how much THC is in the product, which can help providers during a medical emergency, CAP added.

While edible cannabis does not typically result in serious problems for adults, children have more severe reactions and are more likely to require medical attention. According to America’s Poison Centers, symptoms of a cannabis edible overdose include vomiting, confusion, drowsiness, and a loss of coordination or unsteadiness. Severe symptoms of overdose can cause slowed breathing, seizure and coma, experts have said.

Call 911 immediately if someone is having difficulty breathing, is unresponsive, or having a seizure. Individuals can reach the local Poison Center by calling the Poison Help line: 1-800-222-1222. To save the number in a mobile phone, text “POISON” to 301-597-7137.