The Importance of Safe Cannabis Storage

Last updated October 1, 2025 | Published on June 22, 2022 

When consumed unknowingly, cannabis can pose serious health risks — especially to children and pets. While all cannabis products (including homemade products) should be stored safely, it is especially important for ingestible products, such as edibles, beverages and oils. While dried cannabis flower needs to be heated for the cannabinoids (such as THC) to become active and cause effects, the cannabinoids in ingestible products have already been activated, meaning their accidental consumption can have more serious health implications.

What happens if a child consumes cannabis?

Over the past several years in Ontario, there has been a noted increase in children requiring hospital admission after unintentionally consuming cannabis. The risk to children is significant. Because they are smaller, the amount of THC in their bodies is more concentrated than it would be in an adult.

Most accidental consumption by children happens with edibles and beverages, which children may mistake for non-infused products and are processed by the body more unpredictably than other cannabis products. Though cannabis is legal in Canada, many ingestible products available from the unregulated market are often in packaging that resembles that of non-infused candy.

Cannabis effects in children

According to the Ontario Poison Centre, the symptoms of cannabis poisoning in children can vary, depending on what they consumed and how much, as well as their size. Symptoms can be serious, including:

• loss of balance
• drowsiness
• difficulty breathing
• vomiting
• confusion
• slurred speech
• muscle weakness
• slowed breathing
• coma 
• seizures (in rare cases)

Pets that have unintentionally consumed cannabis products can exhibit many similar symptoms as children with cannabis poisoning. In rare cases, if the dose was significant, cannabis poisoning can be fatal for dogs and cats. And it’s not just cannabis edibles that pose a risk to pets; animals may also accidentally consume extract products and joints, including roaches (the remains of joints).

Safe cannabis storage boxes and childproof storage

Avoiding unintentional cannabis ingestion and harm means storing cannabis in the same manner as medications and hazardous household products:

• clearly labelled
• up and out of reach
• inside child-resistant packaging (all legal cannabis is sold in child-resistant packaging)
• stored in a locked container or cabinet

Keeping children and pets safe with effective cannabis storage

Ensuring cannabis is safely stored is essential, especially when there are children or pets in your household. Here are some guidelines to help prevent access by children and pets.

Ensure cannabis has child-resistant packaging.

• Store cannabis products in child-resistant packaging. The federal Cannabis Act specifies that cannabis must be packaged in child-resistant containers.
• Ensure the packaging is properly closed and sealed after each use.

Store cannabis securely.

• Store cannabis in a secure location that is out of reach of children and pets. Consider using storage solutions with locking mechanisms, such as lockable storage boxes or safes.
• Choose storage locations that are not easily accessible, such as high shelves or closets.
• Keep cannabis products away from places where children might expect to find snacks, such as pantries, refrigerators or freezers.

Educate and communicate with children.

• Talk to youth about the potential dangers of consuming cannabis.
• Clearly communicate to household members and guests the importance of keeping cannabis products out of reach of children and pets.

Store edibles safely.

• Treat cannabis-infused edibles like any other potentially harmful substances. Keep them out of sight and reach of children.
• Store edibles in their original, child-resistant packaging.

Label containers clearly.

• Clearly label containers with warnings about the contents and the potential dangers associated with cannabis consumption.
• Homemade edibles, beverages and topicals should also be clearly labelled and kept in a locked container.

Keep smoking devices secure.

• If you use a vaporizer, vape, bong or other device to consume cannabis, ensure it’s stored securely and out of reach.

Dispose of unused products safely.

• Properly dispose of any unused or expired cannabis products, including roaches and packaging. Avoid disposing of cannabis products in a place accessible by children or pets.

Regularly check and update.

• Periodically check the security of your storage arrangements, especially as children and pets may gain access to new areas as they grow.

If you suspect a child has ingested cannabis in Canada, dial 9-1-1 immediately or call the Ontario Poison Centre toll-free at 1-800-268-9017. It’s helpful to write down the time, any symptoms you notice and how much you suspect has been ingested. Keep any packaging handy if you have it. If a pet has consumed cannabis, call your veterinarian or nearest animal hospital.

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