Amid a brewing nationwide debate on cannabis safety, Oregon lawmakers are considering capping the THC content in individual cannabis edibles to 10 milligrams.
The proposal in Senate Bill 1548, introduced this week, would bring Oregon in line with other states. It would also address concerns over accidental edibles consumption by children, according to the Oregon Capital Chronicle.
According to the Oregon Poison Center, children up age 5 accounted for one-third of cannabis-related reported in 2023.
Are THC potency caps good for the cannabis industry – or the public?
Concerns over THC potency have emerged as a major issue for the regulated cannabis industry.
Critics say potent cannabis is connected to mental-health problems in young consumers, a situation highlighted in a Monday New York Timed editorial that called for stricter controls.
Last spring, Oregon lawmakers heard testimony from health experts who called for a THC potency cap on all products.
Bill advocates say that stricter regulations could prevent incidents like a recent case where a toddler consumed two 50 mg muffins, resulting a seizure and 36 hours on life support.
If passed, Oregon would join states including California, Colorado and New York, which already enforce a 10 mg THC cap per serving and a cap of 100 mg of THC per package.
Edibles account for 16% of cannabis sales nationally, according to BDSA.
In Oregon, sales increased from 15 million units in 2024 to 16 million units last year, according to Headset data.
Cannabis industry calls for education over THC potency regulation
However, the proposed cap has met resistance from some industry stakeholders.
Gabe Parton Lee, general counsel for Oregon-based edibles manufacturer Wyld, said education campaigns may be a better solution, much like with alcohol and firearms.
“I’m asking that this bill be tabled so that we can actually come back for a solution towards education that prioritizes what cannabis products are, how to responsibly consume them and how to responsibly store them,” he said.
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The bill’s supporters point to Washington’s 2017 law, which capped THC servings at 10 milligrams and reportedly led to a 75% reduction in hospitalizations and a significant drop in poison center calls.
Critics, however, argue that Oregon’s existing child-resistant packaging and marketing restrictions already mitigate risks.
The Senate Early Childhood and Behavioral Health Committee is set to vote on the bill later this week.
