With the passing of ACT 164, regulated cannabis is going to be a reality for many Vermont communities. In fact, here in Windham county Jamaica and Brattleboro have both voted to opt-in to regulated cannabis. While the mid-2022 rollout of retail cannabis will make responsible adult use easier, it is imperative that adult users become informed on how to properly store and secure legal cannabis in their homes – just like alcohol and prescription drugs. In our own community, the 2021 WRVT Core Measure Survey found that 36% Leland & Grey students who reported using Cannabis stated they had obtained it from a family member or close friend. This data suggest that safe home storage can be an effective line of defense for youth prevention.
So, how can one safely store cannabis in the home? By talking about it, tracking it, and securing it.
- Talk to your youth about the negative impacts of cannabis use on the developing brain, communicate expectations, and help them find healthy ways to deal with stress, boredom, or pain.
- Track the amount of cannabis you have at any time and talk to your youth if you find some missing.
- Secure your cannabis just like alcohol and prescription drugs. Simply hiding it is not sufficient. Use a lock and key.
If towns go about it in the right way, and adults take these simple steps after purchasing cannabis, retail cannabis in our communities should have no greater impact on our youth than a liquor store or a pharmacy.
For more information on the Talk, Track, Secure campaign visit https://www.windhampartnership.org/parenting-in-a-pandemic.html.