Michigan business owners must navigate a thick forest of regulations. Those in the burgeoning marijuana industry, with its legal considerations, often have even more to worry about. That list of regulations is about to get longer.
Under a recently enacted law, marijuana products will require something new: a warning label.
A warning for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
Michigan’s governor signed a bill into law on Feb. 19, 2020, that makes a significant change to the packaging of all marijuana products sold at retailers.
Under the new law, all products – whether for recreational or medicinal use – must include a warning on the exterior packaging. The warning must be printed in “clearly legible type” and must be surrounded by a thick, continuous line. The label must read:
“Warning: Use by pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by women planning to become pregnant, may result in fetal injury, preterm birth, low birth weight, or developmental problems for the child.”
Sponsors of the bill said they were concerned many people were unaware of marijuana’s potential health risks to unborn children and infants.
Pamphlets will also be required
Another bill signed into law will require all marijuana shops to have pamphlets available. Measuring 3.5 inches by 5 inches, these pamphlets must contain safety information about marijuana use by minors, as well as information regarding the poison control hotline number.
Marijuana shops must make these pamphlets available to all customers.
Do I need to have these ready now?
While both bills were recently signed into law, shops do not need to be compliant immediately. It is up to the state’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency to establish standards for these new laws, then implement them. Business owners and shop operators will not need to worry about these requirements until that happens.
The warning labels and pamphlets are on the horizon, however, and you will need to comply if you want to avoid potential penalties.
