Responsible cannabis storage begins before you bring a product home. Think about who shares or visits the space, choose a secure location, and keep the product in the package that carries its identity, warnings, and storage directions.
Cannabis products are for adults 21 and older. They should never be left where children, pets, guests, or anyone without permission can reach them.
Keep the original packaging
The original package contains important information: the product name and format, potency, ingredients, warnings, lot details, expiration information, and storage instructions. Moving cannabis into an unlabeled container can separate the product from the information needed to identify it.
Close the package fully after each use. If the package is child-resistant or resealable, use that feature as designed. Child-resistant packaging is an important layer of protection, but it is not a substitute for secure storage.
Use a locked or otherwise secured location
Choose a place that is out of sight and inaccessible to children and pets. A locked cabinet or lockbox adds protection, especially in a shared home or a home where children visit. Do not rely only on placing a product on a high shelf; climbing, curiosity, and household routines can make a high location less secure than it appears.
Separate cannabis from ordinary food and medicine
Edible cannabis products can be mistaken for ordinary food. Store them separately, in their original packaging, and never transfer them to a snack container. Keeping cannabis separate from household medicines can also reduce confusion.
Follow product-specific temperature, light, and moisture directions
Storage needs vary by format. Read the label and follow the manufacturer’s directions. In general, avoid leaving products in direct sunlight, near a heat source, in a hot vehicle, or in a damp area. Do not refrigerate or freeze a product unless its directions call for that method.
Keep an inventory in a shared household
If more than one adult has authorized access, agree on a single secure storage place and return products there immediately. Periodically check that packages are closed, labels remain readable, and expired or damaged products are handled appropriately.
Plan for visitors, travel, and disposal
Before guests arrive, confirm that cannabis is secured. When traveling, understand the laws that apply and never leave cannabis accessible in a vehicle. For disposal questions, follow product directions and current local guidance; do not leave unwanted products where another person or animal can retrieve them.
If accidental ingestion may have occurred
Respond promptly. New York cannabis labels list the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 for a medical emergency. Keep the package available so responders can identify the product and label information.
The New York Office of Cannabis Management provides additional consumer resources for adults 21+.
Before leaving the store
Read the storage section on the package and ask where to find any unclear information. You can also review our guide to reading a cannabis product label. For current availability, use the live menu; for store details, visit the Holy Smokes contact page.
Reminder: Do not drive or operate machinery while impaired.