New warning on pot products: California may require labels of risks, including mental health risk
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California may soon require labels on all cannabis products that warn buyers of the risks to their overall health and safety.SB 1097, the Cannabis Right to Know Act, would require warnings to be added to each product.In part, the bill is aimed at creating larger warnings for consumers of cannabis, much like nicotine product warnings.“I think that would be probably good… well at least so you know what you’re ingesting I guess right,” said Robby Taggart, a 35-year cannabis user. Warnings would include DUI risks, adolescent use and brain development, mental health risks including schizophrenia, and increased suicidal thoughts and attempts.Some of the warnings would read as follows:“WARNING: Do not buy illegally sold cannabis as it is more likely to contain unsafe additives or harmful contaminants such as mold or pesticides.”“WARNING: Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Exposure to cannabis during pregnancy may harm your baby’s health, including causing low birth weight.”“WARNING: Cannabis use may contribute to mental health problems, including psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. Risk is greatest for frequent users and when using products with high THC levels.”“WARNING: Cannabis use may contribute to mental health problems, including increased thoughts of suicide and suicide attempts. Risk is greatest for frequent users.”Lawmakers pushing for the new warnings also want sellers to distribute informational brochures to first-time customers explaining health risks.“That’s something that we’ve actively been trying to do I actually like to remind people like don’t do this while you’re in the car, don’t do it before you drive, the pregnancy risks same thing as alcohol,” said GM of Green Solutions, Forrest Heise.Heise said he does not believe the current warning labels are often read.Heise believes since California’s legalization, many people have forgotten products are medicinal.“We help out a tremendous amount of people with things like epilepsy and their cancer treatments, we’re very close to Sutter Hospital over here so we get some overlap with those patients,” Heise said.Lawmakers pushing for the Cannabis Right to Know Act say cannabis poses risk to children and certain adults, warning high concentrations of THC, cause potential mental health effects, including psychiatric disorders.A recent study from Molecular Psychiatry said eliminating marijuana use in adolescents would reduce global rates of schizophrenia by 10%.The condition affects roughly 20 million across the world— and though discussion between cannabis and schizophrenia is widely debated, medical journals do nod at the fact they connect in some way.“That is something that I would definitely, especially for my child, that I would want on the label and would want them to read before they consume anything like that…it’s the kind of responsible thing to do,” said Michael Sapien, of Sacramento.If the bill is passed, product warning labels would change January 1, 2025.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
California may soon require labels on all cannabis products that warn buyers of the risks to their overall health and safety.
SB 1097, the Cannabis Right to Know Act, would require warnings to be added to each product.
In part, the bill is aimed at creating larger warnings for consumers of cannabis, much like nicotine product warnings.
“I think that would be probably good… well at least so you know what you’re ingesting I guess right,” said Robby Taggart, a 35-year cannabis user.
Warnings would include DUI risks, adolescent use and brain development, mental health risks including schizophrenia, and increased suicidal thoughts and attempts.
Some of the warnings would read as follows:
Lawmakers pushing for the new warnings also want sellers to distribute informational brochures to first-time customers explaining health risks.
“That’s something that we’ve actively been trying to do I actually like to remind people like don’t do this while you’re in the car, don’t do it before you drive, the pregnancy risks same thing as alcohol,” said GM of Green Solutions, Forrest Heise.
Heise said he does not believe the current warning labels are often read.
Heise believes since California’s legalization, many people have forgotten products are medicinal.
“We help out a tremendous amount of people with things like epilepsy and their cancer treatments, we’re very close to Sutter Hospital over here so we get some overlap with those patients,” Heise said.
Lawmakers pushing for the Cannabis Right to Know Act say cannabis poses risk to children and certain adults, warning high concentrations of THC, cause potential mental health effects, including psychiatric disorders.
A recent study from Molecular Psychiatry said eliminating marijuana use in adolescents would reduce global rates of schizophrenia by 10%.
The condition affects roughly 20 million across the world— and though discussion between cannabis and schizophrenia is widely debated, medical journals do nod at the fact they connect in some way.
“That is something that I would definitely, especially for my child, that I would want on the label and would want them to read before they consume anything like that…it’s the kind of responsible thing to do,” said Michael Sapien, of Sacramento.
If the bill is passed, product warning labels would change January 1, 2025.