Hastings introduces legislation to strengthen cannabis safety and prevent child access

State Senator Michael E. Hastings introduced Senate Bill 2866, legislation designed to strengthen safety requirements for cannabis products and reduce the risk of accidental ingestion by children.

“While cannabis is legal for adult use in Illinois, we must continue to take responsible steps to protect children,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort).

“This legislation focuses on education, visibility and access to proper storage so families have the tools they need to keep their kids safe.”

Senate Bill 2866 would update the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act to enhance education, signage, storage availability and product warnings related to cannabis-infused products. The legislation would:

Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings. Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Senate

Expand purchaser education to include information on the use of locked storage containers to prevent child access to cannabis products.
Require clear signage in dispensaries selling edible cannabis products stating that cannabis should be kept away from children and stored in a locked container.
Require dispensaries that sell cannabis-infused products or topicals to offer for sale lockable, opaque storage containers designed to keep products out of reach of children.
Add a new required warning label on cannabis-infused products advertising safe, locked storage and providing the Illinois Poison Center phone number in the event of an accidental ingestion.

“These days, a lot of cannabis-infused products can look just like candy gummies, and children can be none the wiser,” said Hastings. “Let’s take the necessary steps to ensure children don’t get their hands on these products.”

Senate Bill 2866 awaits committee assignment.

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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