In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, state lawmakers have taken a significant step towards ensuring the safety of medical marijuana by advancing legislation that enhances oversight of the state's program, which has been operational for nearly eight years. House Bill 33, introduced by Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Pittsburgh, moved out of the Health Committee and seeks to give the Pennsylvania Department of Health expanded authority to regulate laboratories that test cannabis products.
The bill's advancement comes amid growing concerns over contaminants in cannabis, such as mold, lead, arsenic, and other toxic heavy metals. Recent studies, including one cited by the Wall Street Journal, have reported numerous instances of harmful substances in marijuana products nationwide, raising alarms about consumer safety.
The proposed legislation aims to tighten safety protocols through audit testing, quality assurance measures, data transparency, and regular inspections of testing labs. Rep. Frankel emphasized the bill's development over the past year, in collaboration with industry stakeholders, laboratory experts, and the Health Department. According to Frankel, there is a broad consensus on the need for more robust oversight to ensure the safety of medical marijuana products.
Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-Warren, the committee's minority chair, also expressed support for the bill, underscoring the necessity of safeguarding consumers who rely on these products for medical purposes.
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