As families across New York celebrate Halloween, state officials are reminding parents to be extra cautious- not just about candy, but also about cannabis products that could look like treats. Lyla Hunt, Deputy Director of Public Health and Education at the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), says the agency has seen an increase in children’s exposure to cannabis products during the holidays.

“As a public health professional and as a parent, I like to remind families to go through their children’s Halloween candy. It’s sort of a natural part of the trick-or-treating process,” Hunt said. “It’s important to check to see if there’s any allergens or if it looks like anything’s been tampered with.”

She explained that the concern isn’t about children being given edibles while trick-or-treating, but instead finding cannabis products at home. “What this data is telling us is that the primary exposure for kids isn’t that they’re being given cannabis edibles in their candy haul. It’s really instead that kids are getting exposed at home,” Hunt said. “They’re finding and ingesting cannabis products that haven’t been stored safely, or they’re not aware that they’re infused with THC.”

Hunt emphasized that part of safe and responsible cannabis use includes proper storage.

“It’s a really important message for New Yorkers to hear that part of safe and responsible cannabis consumption as adults means properly storing your cannabis products,” she said. “Which means keeping those products locked, out of reach and out of sight of children and pets,” she said.

She also pointed out key differences between licensed and unlicensed products. “Licensed dispensaries sell products that have to adhere- they have really strict regulations around packaging and labeling,” Hunt said. “One of those is that all of those products have to be sold in child-resistant packaging… Those rules also help make sure there are clear health warnings. They’re lab tested. They’re labeled according to those test results, so consumers understand what those products are getting.”

Unlicensed products, she added, are often designed to mimic snacks or candies that attract children, something that’s not allowed in the regulated market.

Hunt also advised that cannabis drinks should not be stored alongside regular beverages. “We all want to have our drinks served cold, so that we’re not storing them in the refrigerator right next to another beverage that is not infused with THC,” she said.

For those without a second fridge, she suggested a simple solution: “When you’re ready and you want them served cold, pour them over a nice glass of ice, and make sure that those products are just not stored in the same location where other foods or other snacks or other goodies that our young ones might be regularly getting their hands into.”