Oregon Lawmakers Consider Bill To Limit THC In Individual Cannabis Edibles To 10 Milligrams Amid Rising Pediatric Poisonings And Public Health Concerns
Oregon lawmakers are reviewing Senate Bill 1548, which would prohibit the sale of single cannabis edibles containing more than 10 milligrams of THC. The proposal comes amid growing concerns over child poisonings linked to edibles shaped like cookies, brownies, and gummies.
Data from the Oregon Poison Center shows that in 2023, children aged 0 to 5 accounted for one-third of all cannabis-related cases reported, highlighting the urgency for regulation. Public health experts have recommended a THC cap similar to limits imposed on alcohol and tobacco products, citing studies showing many Oregon youths perceive minimal risk in occasional marijuana use.
Senator Lisa Reynolds Highlights Personal And Public Health Stakes As Committee Hears Testimony On THC Limits For Edibles
Sen. Lisa Reynolds (D–Portland), a pediatrician and chair of the Senate Early Childhood and Behavioral Health Committee, emphasized the importance of the bill, sharing a personal family story about her brother, whose habitual marijuana use in the 1970s she believes contributed to decades of psychiatric hospitalizations.
During Tuesday’s public hearing, four doctors testified in favor of the measure. Dr. Rob Hendrickson, medical director of the Oregon Poison Center, recounted a case in which a toddler consumed two muffins containing 50 mg THC each, resulting in a seizure and 36 hours on life support.
Dr. Julia Dilley, a Multnomah County epidemiologist, cited research from Washington state, where a 2017 law limiting single-serving edibles to 10 mg THC reduced hospitalizations by 75% and poison center reports by 50%, indicating strong evidence that a similar cap could prevent pediatric emergencies in Oregon.
Cannabis Industry Voices Opposition, Advocates For Education And Responsible Storage Rather Than THC Caps
Four industry representatives, including business owners and manufacturers, opposed the bill, arguing that most products already feature child-resistant packaging and marketing guidelines to prevent appeal to children.
Gabe Parton Lee, general counsel for Clackamas County-based edibles manufacturer Wyld, urged lawmakers to focus on education rather than regulation:
“We should teach children about cannabis the way we educate them about alcohol or guns… Let’s table this bill and return with a solution that emphasizes responsible consumption and safe storage.”
The debate highlights a tension between public health advocacy and industry concerns over regulation and market limitations.
Committee Set To Decide Whether THC Cap Bill Advances To Senate Floor Later This Week
The Senate Early Childhood and Behavioral Health Committee is scheduled to decide Thursday whether to advance SB 1548 to the full Senate for consideration.
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