Should we exclude marijuana laced foods from our basic food and drug safety standards and guidelines in Massachusetts?! What does DPH say in its draft regs?

Why should the marijuana industry be exempt from basic food and drug safety standards?

Why should we expose the Masschusetts public to unregulated sources of food and drugs?

The draft regulations issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for the purpose of regulating the “medical” marijuana industry in  Massachusetts contains the following language:

105 CMR: Department of Public Health
105 CMR 725.004:  Definitions:

Edible Marijuana-Infused Products (edible MIP) means Marinjuana-Infused Products (MIPs) that are to be consumed by eating or drinking.

Marijuana-Infused Product (MIP) means a product infused with marijuana that is intended for use or consumption other than by smoking or vaporizing, including but not limited to edible products, ointments, aerosols, oils, and tincutres.  These products, when created or sold by a registered MMTC, shall not be considered a food or a drug as defined by M.G.L. c.94, s.1.

How can marijuana NOT be considered a drug?
How can edibles NOT be considered a food?
And why not??

This definition will exempt MIPs from the Commonwealth’s controlled substances act.

This definition will exempt MIPs from the Commonwealth’s Food Safety standards and guidelines.

This would release this industry from the oversight required of every other drug and food enterprise in the Commonwealth.
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Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 94:

INSPECTION AND SALE OF FOOD, DRUGS AND VARIOUS ARTICLES
www.malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXV/Chapter94
see definitions of “Food” and “Drug”
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Food Protection Program
Standards and guidelines that ensure the safety of bottled water, food, and food preparation in Massachusetts
http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/environmental-health/food-safety/

Mission Statement
The Massachusetts Food Protection Program, within Bureau of Environmental Health in the Department of Public Health, strives to ensure a safe and wholesome food supply in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The program accomplishes this objective by developing regulations, policies and interpretations; conducting routine inspections; conducting foodborne illness complaint investigations and responding to other food emergency incidents; participating in cooperative food safety inspection programs with other state, federal and local agencies; offering educational programs; and undertaking regulatory enforcement actions such as embargoes, administrative sanctions, and civil or criminal penalties.

Why should the marijuana industry be exempt?

Why should we expose the Masschusetts public to unregulated sources of food and drugs?