2026 Lock It Up Campaign Kicks Off
Wednesday March 25, 2026
Contact: Rebecca Burns, Health Officer
517-279-9561 ext. 148
Kris Dewey, Health Education and Promotion Supervisor
517-279-9561 ext. 144
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2026 Lock It Up Campaign Kicks Off
Coldwater, MI – The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is kicking off their 2026 Lock It Up campaign. The Lock It Up campaign has partnered with local community agencies to distribute safe storage locking bag to all three counties. Residents can request a safe storage locking bag by visiting any Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency office, or the following agencies, while supplies last:
·Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) offices in all three counties
·Branch County
o Branch County Sheriff’s Office
o Pines Behavioral Health
o Branch ISD office on Lincoln Street
o The Tree House - Coldwater
o Green Tree Relief – Coldwater
o Mint Cannabis - Coldwater
·Hillsdale County
o Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office
o LifeWays
o Hillsdale County ISD
o Stoned Goat - Osseo
o Green Tree Relief - Reading
o The Nest Provisioning Center - Camden
·St. Joseph County
o Pivotal – All locations
o St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office
o Three Rivers City Police Department
o Covered Bridge Healthcare
o Daly Dope – Three Rivers
“We are pleased to have again received grant funding from the Marihuana Operation and Oversight Grant to support the Lock It Up campaign. These dollars are provided based on medical marihuana cards issued in each county,” said Rebecca Burns, Health Officer. “Marijuana and products with THC are widely available in the jurisdiction. We encourage residents to safely store your medications and marijuana products away from pets and children. Edibles can be attractive to children, and they have no fear since they look like snacks or any other gummy.”
In 2024, the Michigan Poison Control Center received reports of 683 children aged 17 and under exposed to THC. There are likely more cases of exposure that have not been reported. State regulations require the marijuana industry to use child-resistant packaging and prohibit the sale of edibles that look like candy, but there are unregulated, unlicensed products available that are packaged like popular candies. Parents are encouraged to be aware and watchful for product packaging that could entice a child to ingest edibles or gummies containing THC.
Common symptoms of THC ingestion in children include:
·Lethargy
·Confusion
·Poor coordination
·Nausea
·Vomiting
·Seizures
·Difficulty breathing
If you or someone you know would be interested in getting a safe storage device from the Branch Hillsdale St. Joseph Community Health Agency go to www.bhsj.org/lockitup for the complete list of locations and addresses.
For help finding substance use disorder services, contact Pines Behavioral Healthcare at 517-278-2129, Lifeways at 517-439-2641, or Pivotal at 269-467-1000. You can also call 800-662-HELP (4357) or online at https://findtreatment.gov.
The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is committed to promoting wellness, preventing disease, providing health care, and protecting the environment. For additional information, contact your local health department office or visit www.bhsj.org and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BHSJCHA.
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Branch County 570 N. Marshall Rd. Coldwater, MI 49036 (517) 279-9561 |
Hillsdale County 20 Care Drive Hillsdale, MI 49242 (517) 437-7395 |
Three Rivers-Temporarily Closed 1110 Hill St. Three Rivers, MI 49093 (269) 273-2161 |
Sturgis Office 1555 E. Chicago Rd. Sturgis, MI 49091 (269) 273-2161 Wednesday - Friday |