Cannabis Safe Storage Survey Results

Knox & Waldo Attitudes on Cannabis Safe Storage

Knox and Waldo Counties, ME — A recent survey, distributed along with free smell-proof locking cannabis storage bags to local retailers, gathered responses from 116 participants in Knox, Waldo, and surrounding counties. This survey provides valuable insights into local safe storage practices and consumer attitudes toward cannabis storage. 

Nearly 90% of respondents agree that cannabis should be stored safely, with 61.9% saying it's "Very Important." The primary concerns for safe storage include preventing accidental ingestion by children (63.7%) and pets (61.9%). 48.2% of survey participants have pets in the home and 19.3% of survey participants have both children under 18 and pets in the home. 23.2% of participants believe underage recreational cannabis use has a "Very Negative" impact on youth.

In 2023, there were 102 total calls to the Northern New England Poison Center (NNEPC) regarding cannabis exposure through all routes, one of which is ingestion of edibles that appear to be common sweets. This number included 41 (40.2%) calls involving young children ages 0-5, and 30 (29.4%) calls involving children ages 6-12. 

Cannabis Safe Storage refers to practices designed to securely store cannabis products in a way that prevents accidental ingestion by children, pets, and others, and deters access by underage individuals. This includes the use of child-proof, tamper-resistant containers, locking mechanisms, and storing cannabis in places that are both out of sight and out of reach.

PBCHP staff distributed 214 smell-proof locking cannabis storage bags to local cannabis retailers, including New World Organics, Highbrow, Sweet Relief Shop, The Herbalist, and Bayside Bud Shack, who then passed them on to their customers, free of charge. PBCHP wants to thank local retailers for partnering with us we hope to continue to work with more retailers to expand this impact and put safe storage tools in the hands of cannabis users.

Penobscot Bay Community Health Partnerships serves Knox and Waldo counties collaborating with the community and local organizations to support healthier living in the state of Maine. For more information visit www.pbchp.org. 

Prevention efforts supported by ME CDC and MPN