Previously Published in The Messenger
By Raheem Soto
Picture this: a pack of bright, fruity gummies that look just like candy sitting on a kitchen counter. A kid sees them, grabs a handful, and before you know it, they’re in the ER.
That’s precisely what happened last week to eleven middle schoolers in William Floyd Middle School, which sickened the thirteen- and fourteen-year-olds. The schoolchildren took the edibles on Monday morning, leading to dizziness, vomiting, and racing heart rates.
Now, two state lawmakers are saying enough is enough.
State Senator Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue) and Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R-Baiting Hollow) are pushing a bill that would crack down on the way cannabis edibles are packaged and sold, making it harder for kids to mistake them for harmless treats.
Their proposal? Clearer warning labels, child-resistant packaging, and harsher penalties for selling pot edibles 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,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement.
The Growing Problem of Kids and Cannabis Edibles
Senator Murray didn’t hold back when talking about the problem.
“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,” he said.
He’s not wrong. The illegal marijuana market is still booming in New York, with unlicensed shops outnumbering legal dispensaries by a long shot. Meanwhile, edibles—especially those shaped like candies, chocolates, and gummies—are proving way too easy for kids to get their hands on.
Assemblywoman Giglio pointed to the consequences of poor regulation.
“Here we are, four years later, trying to fix a problem that was created by one-party rule in Albany. Edible cannabis products, particularly those in the form of candies, gummies, and chocolates, can pose significant risks to children if not properly packaged and stored. Due to their resemblance to common snack foods, there have been incidents where children accidentally consume these products, leading to overdoses,” she said.
Real Consequences, Real Risks
The risks of accidental ingestion are serious. THC—the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana—can cause dizziness, vomiting, extreme drowsiness, and, in severe cases, breathing problems.
Murray pointed to the recent case of the eleven hospitalized middle schoolers as proof that the system isn’t working.
“There have been many examples over the last couple of years of children accessing, ingesting or using THC-infused edible gummies, with frightening results. Most recently, eleven middle school students were taken to the hospital after ingesting marijuana gummies at school. Packaging like this makes it entirely too easy for kids and parents to be fooled and mistakenly think these products are perfectly safe candy,” he said. “Fortunately, none of the eleven children in this case were seriously injured or harmed, but that is not always the case, which is why it is so important for us to take action in Albany and pass our marijuana packaging legislation.”
The Plan to Fix It
According to Murray and Giglio, the answer is simple: tougher rules. Their bill would require all cannabis edibles to be sold in childproof containers, clearly labeled with dosage warnings, and designed in a way that doesn’t appeal to kids.
“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. In addition, public education efforts are essential to inform caregivers and parents about the potential dangers and the importance of keeping cannabis products securely stored out of reach of children,” Giglio said.
The bill is now waiting for action in the New York State Legislature. Until then, Murray and Giglio are urging parents to be extra cautious.
The message from these lawmakers is clear: Pot gummies aren’t just harmless treats, and the state needs to do more to keep them out of kids’ hands. The question now is, will Albany listen?