HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2992        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Marcus S. Vaughn

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to improve warning labels on THC products.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2992        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act to improve warning labels on THC products.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Subsection (a1/2) of section 4 of chapter 94G of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking clause (xxvi) and inserting in place thereof the following:

(xxvi) requirements for the labeling of a package containing marijuana or marijuana products that shall, at a minimum, include: (1) a symbol or easily recognizable mark issued by the commission that indicates the package contains marijuana or a marijuana product; (2) a symbol or other easily recognizable mark issued by the commission on the package indicating to children that the product is harmful to children; (3) the name and contact information of the marijuana cultivator or the marijuana product manufacturer who produced the marijuana or marijuana product; (4) the results of sampling, testing and analysis conducted by a licensed independent testing laboratory; (5) a seal certifying the marijuana meets such testing standards; (6) a unique batch number identifying the production batch associated with manufacturing, processing, and cultivating; (7) a list of ingredients and possible allergens; (8) in bold, the amount of delta-nine-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9–THC) in the package and in each serving of a marijuana product as expressed in absolute terms and as a percentage of volume; (9) the number of servings in a package if there are multiple servings; (10) a use-by date, if applicable; and (11) the following statement, including capitalization: ''This product has not been analyzed or approved by the FDA. There is limited information on the side effects of using this product, and there may be associated health risks. Marijuana use during pregnancy and breast-feeding may pose potential harms. It is against the law to drive or operate machinery when under the influence of this product. KEEP THIS PRODUCT AWAY FROM CHILDREN.''; and (12) comprehensive prominent rotating health warnings, based on the best available research on what constitutes effective warnings for transmitting knowledge and achieving behavior change from tobacco and cannabis warning research, including pictorial warnings if supported.  These regulations shall be periodically updated based on emerging science on cannabis and on warning communication best practices. These warnings must also include the increased risk of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, cannabis use disorder, mood disorders, psychosis described as paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, schizophrenia , and suicidal thoughts with use of THC-containing marijuana products, especially when initiated young, used frequently, and/or with use of products containing more than 10% THC.