“The Oregon Health Authority released draft rules late Wednesday for medical-pot dispensaries to follow when they open as early as next week under a new law. Although medical marijuana will be available at the dispensaries, the agency wants to ban sweets containing the drug because they could be attractive to young people.”

This quote from the Associated Press sums up the Oregon State Legislature’s step backwards taken during the short session this year. Not only did their legalization effort get stuck in committee, but they passed an amended version of SB 1531 that allows lesser government entities, like cities and counties, to place a one-year moratorium on allowing dispensaries in their communities.

SB 1531 also allows the restriction of edible medical marijuana products. They now require child-resistant packaging that is not attractive to minors. The rules committee has taken this a step too far by prohibiting candy, which they define here as:

“… a sweet food made with sugar, syrup or some other sweetener that may or may not be combined with fruit, chocolate, or nuts. “Candy” includes but is not limited to candy bars, chocolates, licorice, sour candies, salty candies, hard candies, gumdrops, gummies, and marshmallows.”

As Weedists, we know that this is wrong on so many levels. Oregon’s medical cannabis community was quick to respond. Many of us submitted comments, and Brandon Krenzler, a notable parent who is treating his daughter, Brave Mykayla with cannabis oil for leukemia had this to say in an article he wrote for Cannabis Now Magazine:”

“According to the rules, the childproof packaging required for cannabis infused products would be much more difficult for a child to access than a standard prescription bottle. If the safe and non-toxic cannabis infused product needs to be more difficult to access by a child than Oxycontin, so be it. Why would the state then ban the sale of the items, therefore ending production and robbing patients of relief?”

Valeesha Noblitt is the owner of Rabbithole Edibles. She and her family have made their mark in the local medical cannabis community by donating their delicious and effective medibles generously to those in need, especially children. Since they give away most of their products, even the cost to test their cooking oil is prohibitive. She had this to say about the new rules:

“When it comes to these new laws, it’s obvious the committee was more concerned with the business of cannabis and less concerned about the people involved. Patients and their allies are the ones literally paying the price. Over 75% of what I do as a medible vendor is ensuring pediatric patients don’t have to pay for the medicine they so desperately need. I feel as if I’m left with only two choices: forget about the kids or break the law. Neither choice is one I’m willing to make.”

Clearly, these rules need to be reconsidered. I will not bore you here with what you already know about the importance of medibles for patients who cannot smoke or vaporize. I don’t need to tell you about the longer-lasting relief that medibles provide.

And there is no need to mention the absolute necessity of making cannabis palatable for children fighting cancer and seizure disorders. For many, their only respite has been found with ingestible cannabis.

Of course, I submitted comments of my own. This was the response I received from the Oregon Health Authority, emphasis mine:

“Thank you for your message about the rules designed to implement the provisions of recently passed legislation, SB 1531. These rules are drafts and are not yet in place. Your message will be read and your comments will help shape the final version of the rules.”

The good news is just what is quoted above. There is still time to comment and let the rules committee know just how detrimental these particular rules will be. As a matter of fact, the committee is asking for our input:

“The Oregon Health Authority is seeking public comment on the proposed rules. Please submit comments by e-mail to medmj.dispensaries@state.or.us as soon as possible. “

I encourage anyone reading this to submit comments, even if you are not an Oregonian. Restrictions surrounding medical cannabis laws will only get tighter all over the country if we do not speak up now.

With legalization fast approaching nationwide, it is more important than ever to let our leaders know where oversight ends and overkill begins.