NJ Assemblywoman Proposes Stricter Regulations after Spike in Child Cannabis Incidents”

New Jersey Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (R-Mendham) is pushing for stricter regulations on cannabis products following a surge in incidents involving children accidentally ingesting cannabis. In July, thirty children required medical attention due to accidental cannabis consumption. Dunn’s proposed legislation, A5210, aims to safeguard children from accessing cannabis.

Under the bill, cannabis packaging must not be designed to appeal to children, and specific warning labels will be mandatory on all cannabis product packaging, reports the New Jersey Globe. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission will also be tasked with reporting on the adverse effects of cannabis on children.

The assemblywoman says that with the legalization of adult-use recreational marijuana in New Jersey, more children are inadvertently accessing cannabis products, particularly edibles that resemble harmless candies and treats. The legislation also outlines penalties; if an adult fails to properly store cannabis, and a child aged 16 or under gains access, the adult will face a disorderly person’s offense.

Dunn also emphasizes the importance of responsible cannabis storage, likening it to the precautions taken with alcohol. New Jersey has witnessed a substantial increase in reports of children ingesting cannabis, with 162 cases reported in 2022 compared to 73 in 2019.