Suffolk Reporter

A recent incident involving marijuana gummies has led to concerns about the safety of children in New York. According to an ABC News report, "Marijuana gummies send 11 New York middle-schoolers to hospitals." The legalization of recreational marijuana has faced challenges, with illegal sales surpassing those at licensed locations.

In response, NYS Senator Dean Murray and NYS Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio have introduced legislation aimed at protecting children from cannabis products. This bill proposes warning labels on edible cannabis products and criminal penalties for selling these products to minors. "This legislation is about the safety of our children, and we should not allow them to be targeted with the marketing of adult-use products of any kind," stated the representatives.

Senator Murray noted an increase in enforcement but highlighted a concern: "There appears to be an uptick in enforcement of the rules and laws regarding the sale of adult use cannabis products... With one glaring shortfall... and that is what seems to be a growing trend of targeting children."

Assemblywoman Giglio pointed out, "Here we are, 4 years later, trying to fix a problem that was created by 1 party rule in Albany." She emphasized that edible cannabis resembling common snacks poses risks if not properly packaged. These incidents can lead to symptoms such as drowsiness or more severe health issues.

Murray mentioned past cases where children accessed THC-infused gummies with serious consequences: "Most recently, 11 middle school students were taken to the hospital after ingesting marijuana gummies at school." He stressed the importance of passing their proposed packaging legislation.

Giglio concluded by advocating for child-resistant packaging and public education: “To prevent such incidents, it's critical for cannabis edibles to be packaged in child-resistant containers, clearly labeled with dosage information, and with safety warnings.”