California NORML is urging the Assembly to reject SB 648 on the grounds that vaporizers offer a proven, beneficial "harm reduction" substitute for medical marijuana users by reducing exposure to harmful smoke toxins while at the same time posing no second-hand smoke hazard to the public.
Though SB 648 was approved by the State Senate as a bill against tobacco e-cigarettes, it would adversely impact use of vaporizers by medical marijuana patents. Current state law (HSC 110945 b) defines e-cigarettes as "device[s] that can provide an inhalable dose of nicotine by delivering a vaporized solution.” This includes a wide range of vaporization devices now widely used for medical marijuana and other herbs, as well as tobacco and nicotine.
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Laboratory studies sponsored by California NORML have shown that vaporizers can effectively eliminate carcinogenic tars, benzene, naphthalene, toluene, and other respiratory toxins from inhaled marijuana.
A study by California’s Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research found that vaporizers are an effective alternative delivery system to smoking for medical marijuana users (Dr. Donald Abrams, “Vaporization as a ‘Smokeless’ Cannabis Delivery System.”) Vaporizers have since become standard in medical cannabis research and are widely used by patients in places where smoking is banned.
SB 648 would place vaporizers under the same stringent restrictions as tobacco cigarettes, banning their use in public buildings, restaurants, workplaces, hotel lobbies, playgrounds, within 20 feet of exit doors, etc.
There is no evidence that vaporizers pose an appreciable second-hand smoking risk to the public. Users are known to vaporize in elevators and crowded rooms without any detectable odor or adverse notice. Bystanders are routinely exposed to worse emissions from kitchens, grills, garden plants, buses, chimneys, detergents, room deodorizers, gas stations, etc.
The San Francisco Chronicle editorialized against SB 648 ("Wait for Science on E-Cigarettes," July 10).
In a letter to the Assembly, California NORML warns that SB 648 would adversely impact public health by discouraging safer alternatives to smoking. “Medical cannabis users already find it difficult to find a legal place to medicate under current anti-smoking laws,” says California NORML Director Dale Gieringer, “Precluding the use of vaporizers will only make matters worse. The state should encourage, not discourage, the substitution of vaporizers and e-cigarettes for smoking.”
The Assembly Governmental Operations Committee is scheduled to consider SB 648 on Aug. 14th. Comments should be addressed here.
If you live in any of these districts, please contact your representative about this bill
Isadore Hall (D-64) (Compton) (310) 223-1201
Brian Nestande (R-42) (Palm Desert, Hemet) (760) 674-0164; (951) 925-8306
Nora Campos (D-27) San Jose, Santa Clara (408) 277-1220
Wes Chesbro (D-2) North Coast Eureka (707) 445-7014; Ukiah (707) 463-5770 Santa Rosa (707) 576-2526
Ken Cooley (D-8) Elk Grove; Citrus Heights - east of Sacramento (916) 464-1910
Adam Gray (D-21) Merced (209) 726-5465; Modesto (209) 521-2111
Roger Hernandez (D-48) West Covina, Azusa, parts of El Monte (626) 960-4457
Reginald Jones-Sawyer (D-59) South LA (213) 744-2111
Marc Levine (D-10) Petaluma, San Rafael, Mill Valley (415) 479-4920
Jose Medina (D-61) East Riverside, Moreno Valley (951) 369-6644
Henry Perea (D-31) Fresno (559) 445-5532
V. Manuel Perez (D-56) Indio/Coachella (760) 342-8047 Imperial Valley (760) 336-8912
Rudy Salas, Jr (D-32 ) Bakersfield (661) 335-0302
Frank Bigelow (R-5) Jackson (209) 223-0505
Curt Hagman (R-55) San Dimas, Chino Hills (909) 627-7021
Brian W. Jones (R-71) Santee (619) 441-2322
Marie Waldron (R-75) Escondido (760) 480-7570
Source : canorml.com
Image source : canorml.com
Title: CA Bill Against E-Cigarettes Harmful to Consumer Health
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