A proposal aimed at restricting the THC amount in individual cannabis edibles will not move forward in Oregon this year after failing to clear the state House of Representatives.
Senate Bill 1548 sought to prohibit the manufacture of single edible products containing more than 10 mg of THC. The measure focused on products designed to be split into several portions, such as large gummies or baked goods sold as a single piece but labeled for multiple servings.
The legislation was introduced by Senator Lisa Reynolds, who noted that it was prompted by a rise in incidents involving young children who required medical care after consuming cannabis-infused treats.
Data from the Oregon Poison Center shows that in 2023, children aged five and younger accounted for roughly one-third of all cannabis-related exposure cases reported to the center. Health experts and several major medical organizations backed Reynolds’ proposal.
The bill cleared the Oregon Senate in a 22 to 5 vote but stalled in the House. According to Reynolds, lawmakers in the chamber chose not to advance the measure after hearing concerns raised by representatives from the cannabis industry.
In a newsletter sent to supporters, Reynolds wrote that she had believed the measure had a strong chance of becoming law. She described it as a proposal that would cost the state nothing while helping prevent serious marijuana overdoses among children. Reynolds said she ultimately underestimated the opposition the bill would face.
Industry advocates argued that the proposal would force companies to wrap each edible separately, which they said would lead to a significant increase in plastic packaging. They also warned that smaller cannabis businesses might struggle to afford the specialized equipment needed to individually package products.
Lobbyists further claimed the measure could reduce demand for popular high-dose edibles, leading to lower tax collections for the state.
Reynolds disputed the financial concerns raised by the industry, noting that the State Revenue Office suggested that limiting the THC content of a single edible would have only a minor effect on state tax collections. She also pointed to similar rules in Washington State, where a 10 mg cap per serving has been in place for years. According to Reynolds, cannabis prices did not increase after that policy was implemented.
Despite the setback for SB 1548, Reynolds said the effort to tighten cannabis safety rules is not over. She plans to return with new measures in 2027 and hopes to bring additional advocacy support to help move the issue forward.
The wider marijuana industry in North America, including leading companies like Tilray Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) (TSX: TLRY), has long come to expect regulations to change from time to time, so what is happening in Oregon may not be very surprising.
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