Ashland, Ore. — The Oregon Health Authority takes a step back from a proposed ban on medical marijuana laced foods at dispensaries. At medical marijuana dispensary, Siskiyou Medical Supply, a sizable amount of their profits are made from food products that contain marijuana. “Probably 20 percent right now,” says Manager Mike Welch.
Monday, the Oregon Health Authority released new rules for medical marijuana edibles. A March 19th draft would have banned all drug infused cakes, cookies, candy and gum. The agency says after receiving “a couple hundred” complaints, they’ve taken a step back. The new rules will only prohibit edibles that are brightly colored, formed in the shape of animals, toys or candies. Products must also be sold in child-proof containers, free of cartoons or bright colors.
The OHA says they’re seeking to keep medibles from being appealing to children. In a statement, Director of Pharmacy Programs for the OHA, Tom Burns said, “Medicine isn’t candy, and it shouldn’t look like candy.”
That’s good enough for Ashland mother Erin Finney. “I would think parents just need to be responsible for their own products around the house, so I wouldn’t worry about my kids at all, and especially if there was child safe packaging. That would be good,” says Finney.
The new rules will require Welch to change his selection of edibles, but he’ll continue to carry some products, because he says there’s a demand for them.
“Less people smoke than they ever have in the past,” says Welch.
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