LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Marijuana sold in Michigan shops will have to have labels warning pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers about the health risks for their fetuses and infants under newly enacted laws.
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist signed the two bills Wednesday because Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was out of the state.
The labels must be placed on legal recreational and medical marijuana products and warn that use by pregnant or breastfeeding women may result in fetal injury, preterm birth, low birth weight or development problems for children.
The laws also require that an informational pamphlet be made available at every point of sale. It must include safety information related to use by minors and include the poison control hotline number — in case children accidentally eat candy or brownies that contain marijuana.
One of the bill sponsors, Republican Rep. Thomas Albert of Lowell, said the industry has changed people’s perceptions of the drug.
“Many people believe it’s perfectly safe, and that’s just not true,” he said. “These labels will better inform parents of risks they may not have previously considered and serve as an added safety measure to protect vulnerable children.”
Albert cited studies showing that too many women continue to use marijuana while pregnant.
