The Best Lockboxes to Safely Store Medication and Cannabis

Anyone who keeps cannabis at home should consider locking their goods in a stash box, especially if you live with young children and teens, older relatives, or pets.

With medical and recreational cannabis more widely accessible across the country, poison control centers have seen a 1,375% increase in the number of calls concerning young children who have accidentally eaten THC candies in the last few years. And because most edibles look and taste like treats, kids are more likely to eat more than just one piece. If THC edibles can be easily mistaken for candy, it is essential to keep them locked away.

“We always recommend that these products be stored up, away, and out of reach when they’re not in use,” said Kaitlyn Brown, clinical managing director of America’s Poison Centers. “And ideally, kept in a locked container—younger kids can impress you sometimes with their climbing skills.” She also stresses that you should avoid keeping cannabis items on your nightstand, bathroom counter, or kitchen table where your child or someone else could inadvertently access it.

Even if you live in a home where accidental ingestion isn’t a day-to-day concern, having a locking stash box on hand can still be a good idea for when folks come to visit or a friend asks you to pet-sit.

Stash boxes are useful even for people who don’t partake in cannabis consumption. If you or someone you live with has been prescribed opioids or other controlled substances, a medication lockbox can keep pills safely stored away.

In addition to talking with Kaitlyn Brown from Poison Control, we also consulted Kara Cronkhite, a division chief of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board. (Nevada is the only state that requires cannabis dispensaries to carry marijuana stash boxes in-store.)

From our interviews, we learned that the best medication storage containers or cabinets have the ability to be locked, either with a physical key or a master combination, are opaque enough to keep their contents hidden, and are large enough to fit multiple pill bottles and cannabis containers.

After researching dozens of cannabis stash boxes, medication cabinets, locking bags, and general-use lockboxes, we decided to test seven options that met our criteria. The following is what we considered while testing them.

Overall build quality: We considered lockboxes made from metal, hard plastic, flexible EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) plastic, and thick canvas, taking stock of how each felt in our hands and identifying those that felt sturdiest. We looked for boxes and cabinets with smooth-opening hinges, clasps, and zippers, and we also assessed the locking mechanisms, taking note of how easily a key turned in a lock or how smoothly built-in combination dials spin. You’re more likely to keep your goods in a stash box if it’s convenient and easy to use.

Tamperproof abilities: A locking container is useless if it can be easily broken into (especially by intrepid children). We put each to the test by trying to get into them by any means necessary: We pried at the locks with different tools, tried cutting through those made of softer materials with a box cutter, and banged the hard plastic boxes against the floor and threw them down a flight of stairs to see if they would shatter. We put these containers through anything and everything a teen might attempt when trying to break into their parents’ stash.

Ease of setup: If a stash box included a built-in combination lock that required a master combination, we favored the ones that were straightforward in their set up. We also appreciated when a combo container came with step-by-step instructions.

Capacity and internal organization: Brown recommends people keep their cannabis and medication in their original packaging so the contents remain easily identifiable. We looked for boxes and bags that could accommodate pill bottles and cannabis containers. We also tried fitting other cannabis accessories, like grinders, rolling trays, and smoking pipes, into the boxes alongside the weed, and we preferred containers with built-in organization systems, like dividers, zippered pockets, and elastic loops—but we didn’t disqualify any contenders that lacked these added perks.

Smellproof abilities: Cannabis flower has a strong odor, so we looked for containers that would keep the scent contained. To test this, we filled contenders with an especially fragrant potpourri that had a scent even more pervasive than marijuana, then placed them in separate locations, far from one another. After about an hour, we retrieved the boxes to see what smells, if any, we could detect.

The Stash Monkey Stash Box is the only of our picks to include both a built-in combination lock and a pair of physical keys for backup access. The key can be used to bypass the combo lock should you forget the code, but inputting the correct code on its own will unlock the box, so you never need both the key and the code to gain access.

The three-digit combination lock was also the simplest to reset. The Stash Monkey box includes detailed instructions on resetting your code, which requires pushing a button on the inside of the lid while spinning the dials to your desired combination. Though some combination locks require additional tools, like a small screwdriver, to push the reset button, we liked that this box’s reset button was easily accessible without tools.

The combination dials spin smoothly, and the numbers are printed in a large, easy-to-read font. The keyhole is also clearly labeled with a closed and open lock symbol, which takes the guesswork out of which way to turn the key.

The stash box is very sturdy. Despite my best efforts, I wasn’t able to break into this box. The lid seals tightly to the mouth of the box in a way that makes it impossible to pry off (I tried first with my hands, then I tried to wedge a paint scraper into the gap), and the smooth, hard plastic didn’t crack even after we tossed it down a flight of stairs twice.

It’s the biggest cannabis-specific stash box we recommend. The box measures 7.8 by 9.4 by 5 inches (DWH) and can easily accommodate about a dozen standard-size pill bottles or several containers of loose flower or edibles, along with a grinder, vape pen, and a smoking pipe.

The removable lid can be repurposed as a rolling tray. This was the only box we tested with a lid that separated entirely from its container. The lid has a flat, depressed surface surrounded by a high lip that makes it an effective rolling tray.

It’s smellproof. The lid creates an airtight seal that locks scent inside.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Stash Monkey box is our most expensive pick. If you’re looking for a stash box specifically for cannabis, its roughly $90 price tag is easier to swallow, especially if you have a lot to keep under lock and key. But if you have a smaller amount of THC products to store, or you need a box for all kinds of medication, our cheaper picks may be a better option.

The internal organization could be better. We liked that the Stash Monkey box includes a plastic, removable rack and a dishwasher-safe silicone organizer, but the rack is on the smaller side and doesn’t affix to the box, so it slides around inside.

The Lockgreen Small OG Stash Box is the smallest option we recommend. The zippered case measures 7.5 by 6.5 by 3 inches (LWH), which might appeal to folks looking for something that is smaller than our top pick and can easily be tucked away. It can accommodate a decent amount (such as three to four pill bottles), though containers taller than 2 inches (like pill bottles and canisters that hold flower) must be laid on their side to fit.

It has stellar interior organization. Of all the boxes we tested, the Lockgreen box was the only option with multiple internal pockets and removable dividers. It includes a large, zippered mesh pocket on the inside of the lid; a flap that covers the contents of the box, outfitted with elastic straps to hold accessories on one side; and a small mesh pouch and a slot for a medical card on the other. Its main storage compartment has hook-and-loop-attached dividers that you can configure however you prefer (or you can remove them entirely).

This heavy-duty case, made of EVA hard-shell covered in polyester fabric, is very secure. I was initially skeptical of this box’s ability to prevent break-ins, but the case material is thick and tough enough to rebuff even the sharpest box cutter we could get our hands on.

It uses a combination lock to secure the zipper tabs in place. Inputting the correct three-digit code and sliding the main button is the only way to free the tabs and unzip the container. This box doesn’t include a backup key like our top pick, so remembering your code is crucial.

It’s our most portable pick. Its small size, along with the carrying handle, makes this case ideal for folks who want a lockbox they can use to travel with prescription medications.

It’s smellproof. The case’s interior has an activated carbon lining that neutralizes odors rather than let them seep out.

Lockgreen also sells a larger version of this stash box. If you like the idea of a zippered case with interior organization but want something that can hold a bit more, the Large OG Stash Box, 10 by 8 by 3.25 inches (LWH), might be better for you. And it only costs about $10 more.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The zipper is stiff, and the dials take some effort to spin. The zipper doesn’t glide smoothly, and we had to tug on the tabs to unzip the case. The small dials don’t spin as smoothly as the dials on the Stash Monkey Stash Box, and the numbers are printed in a smaller, harder-to-see font.

Additional tools are required to reset the code. The tiny reset button can only be pressed with the tip of a pen or another thin, pointed object. This isn’t a huge inconvenience, but it’s still an extra step to consider when resetting the code.

The Barska Small Medical Cabinet is better suited for folks primarily looking for a place to store their prescription medications. Though you can certainly store THC products in this box, our pick from Barska is intended to be used as a traditional medicine cabinet. This is the smallest option Barska offers at 3.23 by 10.63 by 9.45 inches (DWH), but it’s big enough to accommodate pill bottles of all sizes and heights, along with other first-aid resources. This box also includes a magnetic white board that sticks to the inside of the box and a dry-erase marker to help you keep track of what’s inside, along with medication dosages.

This sturdy metal cabinet has smooth-moving hinges and a door that opens drawbridge-style. It also has a shelf that only stretches across half the length of the compartment, leaving room for taller items, such as bottles of hydrogen peroxide.

It has a built-in lock and comes with a pair of keys. You can only open the smooth-turning lock with the included key. To break in, you’d have to be a proficient lock-picker.

It’s the only one of our picks that can be mounted to a wall. The Barska cabinet includes the hardware necessary for mounting, along with clear installation instructions. You can opt to keep the box on a countertop if you’d like—the bottom has four, anti-slip rubber feet that keep it from sliding around. It also includes a metal handle you can install on top if needed.

This cabinet is not discreet, which could be a good thing for some folks. This lockbox is stark white and comes with optional red and green medical cross stickers. A clearly labeled medication box can be helpful in homes where medication may need to be administered by another person in cases of emergency.

Barska sells other medication cabinets in larger sizes. The standard size (3.94 by 12.4 by 14.17 inches) and the large size (6 by 15 by 21 inches) can accommodate more medications than the compact size.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Barska cabinet is not odorproof. The installation holes on the back of the box allow scent to pass through easily, and the door doesn’t create a seal to hold in odors.

It has a clinical look that you might find reminiscent of a doctor’s office. This white, metal box might be off-putting to some people.

The Seahorse SE57 Micro Case is rugged and intended for outdoor use, so it’s extremely durable. Made from virtually indestructible polycarbonate, this sturdy lockbox didn’t crack or shatter after tumbling down the stairs or being slammed onto the ground.

It has a three-step locking process. The lockbox lid has a flip latch with a twisting lock that creates a tight, waterproof seal when closed. Turning the lock dial by hand secures the lid shut, and using the included plastic key locks the box, creating two layers of security. The latch requires a bit of effort to push shut and pull open. The dial turns smoothly by hand and key and has small locked and unlocked icons to further guide you.

It does an excellent job at keeping odors inside. The Seahorse has a waterproof O-ring lining that creates an airtight seal when the lid is latched, which also makes this lockbox completely smellproof.

It’s customizable. Depending on your needs, you can order the Seahorse SE57 empty, with a shock-absorbing rubber interior lining and a rubber mesh pocket on the underside of the lid, or with foam inserts for more padding. It’s the only one of our picks that is available in multiple colors. And the company offers variations of the case in a handful of additional sizes, both larger and smaller, if the interior dimensions (8.2 by 4.2 by 3.3 inches) of our budget pick aren’t quite right for you.

It’s the cheapest lockbox we recommend. The empty Seahorse SE57 is about $28, making it one-third the price of our top pick. Adding in the rubber boot and mesh pocket bumps the price to about $35, which is still cheaper than all of our picks.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Seahorse SE57 is not meant for cannabis or medication storage, so it lacks some of the small touches that our other picks include. It doesn’t include dividers, and though you can opt for a rubber mesh pocket for the interior, it’s not as spacious as the pockets in another one of our picks, the Lockgreen Small OG Stash Box.

We tested one smart lockbox: the Bluetooth-enabled, app-controlled Keep box. But the app wasn’t as responsive or as consistent as we’d like, only connecting to the box about half the time. The emergency unlock was extremely easy to access (all you need is a small screwdriver), so it doesn’t efficiently outsmart wily teenagers. And at about $500, it was too expensive to be worthwhile.

The affordable Cardinal Bag Supplies Locking Medication Bag was the smallest lockable option we tested, but we were able to cut through the canvas easily with a box cutter. A child probably wouldn’t be able to get into this bag, but a determined teenager or a pet with sharp teeth definitely could.

The MTM Case-Gard Sportsmen’s Dry Box O-Ring Sealed is a tool box we hoped could be a cheaper alternative to pricier lockboxes, but it doesn’t include a lock. Even when using our own lock to secure the box shut, it was still easy to pry open wide enough to fit a hand inside, and a dog with a strong bite could probably crack through the thin plastic shell of the box.

This article was edited by Alex Aciman and Catherine Kast.