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Rep. Diaz introduces bill on secondhand marijuana smoke; members discuss vaping carve-out
Summary
Representative Diaz asked the committee to add protections for secondhand marijuana smoke to existing public-smoking laws. Committee members raised the possibility of excluding vaping from the bill and suggested further conversation and amendment work.
Representative Diaz introduced House Bill 5,027 to add secondhand marijuana smoke to the state’s public-smoking prohibitions. Diaz said the change is meant to equalize protections and respond to constituent concerns about where people may lawfully smoke near hospitals, parks and other public spaces.
Members asked clarifying questions and suggested possible amendments. Representative Hopkins asked whether the bill could carve out vaping, noting some studies and policy discussions treat vaping and combustible smoke differently for harm-reduction purposes. Representative Diaz said he is ‘‘always open for conversation’’ and willing to work on amendments.
No formal votes were taken on the measure at the hearing; the bill was included in the committee’s procedural hold for further study.
