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Health experts press Senate panel for 10 mg THC limit and single‑unit packaging for edibles
Summary
Physicians, poison center staff and public‑health researchers testified that SB 1548’s requirement for individually wrapped single‑unit packaging and a 10 mg per‑edible THC limit would reduce accidental pediatric poisonings; industry witnesses warned of cost, product diversity and enforcement tradeoffs.
The Senate Early Childhood and Behavioral Health Committee heard competing testimony on Senate Bill 1548, which would require each edible to be individually wrapped, child‑resistant and limited to 10 milligrams of THC per unit.
Dr. Rob Hendrickson, medical director of the Oregon Poison Center, told the committee of a recent pediatric intensive care case: "A few months ago, a toddler...ate those muffins...both of those muffins contained 50 milligrams of THC," he said, describing a child who required ventilation for 36 hours and who suffered seizures. Hendrickson argued single‑unit packaging and a 10 mg per‑edible limit would reduce dose and prevent severe toxicity in children.
Pediatrician Dr. Jill Pearson and child psychiatrist Dr. David Ritu gave clinical perspectives on rising emergency department visits and youth psychiatric harms tied to high‑potency cannabis products. Julia Dilley, an epidemiologist with Multnomah County, presented comparative research from Washington after single‑unit packaging rules: the policy was associated in her analysis with 75% fewer hospitalizations and half as many poisonings among children ages 1–6.
Industry witnesses pushed back. Tucker Holland, a licensed cannabis processor, and Gabe Parton Lee, general counsel for Wyld, said Oregon’s regulated market already requires child‑resistant packaging, OLCC review and labeling, and warned new mandates could raise costs, push consumers toward unregulated products and reduce product options. Joy Hudson of Nimble Distribution highlighted low‑dose products (example: 2.5 mg pieces in a multi‑piece package) and said strict single‑unit rules could remove adult choice and revenue streams that support substance‑use programs.
Chair Reynolds framed the bill as "modest but meaningful," focused on immediate steps to reduce toddler toxicity; the committee closed the public hearing and asked those not heard to submit written testimony.
No vote occurred during the Feb. 10 hearing; the bill will proceed through the committee process.
