Growing availability of medicinal cannabis in the UK has sparked fresh concerns over safe storage, particularly in households with young children.
Specialists are now urging manufacturers and regulators to stress child-resistant packaging as a top safety priority.
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Evidence shows such packaging significantly lowers the chance of accidental ingestion, a risk that could lead to serious harm for young ones.
Child-resistant packaging meets strict safety standards
Child-resistant packaging uses tested closures—squeeze-and-turn caps, press-and-twist lids or blister seals—designed to be difficult for children but accessible to adults.
In the EU and UK, regulations such as the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation and the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 set clear rules on these mechanisms.
Studies indicate that correctly tested closures can decrease the rate of unintentional poisoning by up to 90 %.
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By GlobalDataResearch from the British Toxicology Society emphasises that around two-thirds of accidental child medication poisonings involve medicines belonging to adults—highlighting how crucial effective packaging is.
Risks of accidental ingestion remain significant
Though child-resistant does not mean child-proof, packaging is a vital safety step. In England and Wales, accidental poisoning fatalities in under‑10s fell from 151 to 23 per 100,000 after such packaging became widespread.
Nevertheless, the National Poisons Information Service reports around 9,550 calls in 2019/20 relating to children’s accidental poisoning, with about half involving medication.
Cannabis edibles and tinctures, which often resemble sweets or drinks, pose a unique challenge—as research has shown these products must meet specific packaging guidelines to avoid appearing appealing to young children.
Recommendations for safer storage and packaging
Experts suggest a multifaceted approach: manufacturers must use tested child-resistant closures that comply with ISO and EU standards, dispensers should provide clear usage and storage advice at point of sale, and parents should store products out of children’s reach.
Since blister packs can still be breached by children, these must undergo rigorous safety tests similar to reclosable packaging.
Given the growing use of medicinal cannabis, it is vital that secure storage and packaging practices evolve alongside new product types.
As more UK families access medicinal cannabis, the emphasis on child-resistant packaging must intensify. Effective closures and clear safety guidance are essential in protecting children from accidental ingestion and ensuring responsible use at home.
