Discussion continues surrounding requirements on tracking and tracing in Maine’s medical marijuana sector – WABI
AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) – A work session was held on a bill on Friday in Augusta that is seeking to require testing and tracking in Maine’s medical cannabis industry.
Supports call it common sense. Those against the proposal say it could lead to closures of businesses and harmful impacts on treatments.
According to the Maine Public Health Association, out of the dozens of states with medical cannabis programs, Maine is the only one that doesn’t require contaminant testing and tracking.
“We’re talking about something that is marketed as medicinal,” answered Associate Director for the M.P.H.A. Matt Wellington. “Something that immunocompromised people are using, cancer patients are using. It is key that they have confidence that those products don’t contain substances that will actually harm the health.”
Testing for substances like pesticides, yeast, heavy metals and mold. With the goal of aligning some of the standards with Maine’s adult-use system.
Which is an issue for some of those opposing the proposal.
“There are too many loopholes and there are too many ways that it can be manipulated,” said President of the Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine Tammy Smith.
Smith with the M.M.C.M said that the organization is by no means against tracking and testing, many of them already do. But some of these changes could be too costly for a small business caregiver.
“A lot of medical industry really does care about the patients and we’re not going to put them in danger by giving them product that we know is not safe,” responded Smith.
Another piece of the proposal is to put a cap on the potency. M.P.H.A. says it’s critical that patients not only know the product is safe, but being taken at the right dosage, particularly for young patients.
“Especially if they are misusing it, if they are overusing, that can lead to things like increased risk for anxiety, psychosis like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia,” commented Wellington.
But Smith says, when you are trying to treat things like cancer or nausea from treatments, putting a limit on it won’t work for some patients.
“If you limit the amount a patient can have, you take away their ability to treat any kind of illnesses,” stated Smith.
The bill was introduced last year. Amendments were brought up at Friday’s hearing that lift the requirements for small growers.
Also requiring speciated testing which was a point of contention.
The bill was tabled at Friday’s hearing to be voted on at a later date.
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