HARRISBURG - Rep. Kathy L. Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest), Republican chair of the House Health Committee, announced her amendment to a bill improving lab oversight for medical marijuana was unanimously approved at yesterday's committee meeting. This amendment would further the oversight of labs in several ways, including requiring them to establish annual inspections and submit proposed modifications to standard operating procedures within 30 days; clarifying violations are subject to civil penalties; and allowing the Department of Health to revoke or suspend licenses.

"I'm not often a proponent of increasing bureaucratic oversight," Rapp said, "but these safeguards are needed to ensure Pennsylvanians using medical marijuana can trust the products found in dispensaries throughout the Commonwealth."

House Bill 2208 was approved by the committee with a 24-1 vote. It now heads to the full House for consideration.

The committee also approved Senate Bill 721 by a vote of 17-8, with Rapp voting against the measure. This bill would codify the Women, Infants, and Children State Advisory Board (WICSAB).

"I want to be clear that I support the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program and its mission," Rapp said, "but I do not support redundant legislation. A WIC advisory group has been around since the Wolf administration, working toward more healthy pregnancy and postpartum care. We do not need legislation to establish an advisory board that has already been established."

Senate Bill 721 now heads to the full House for consideration.

Representative Kathy Rapp
65th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jake Gillespie
717.772.9834
RepRapp.com / Facebook.com/RepRapp

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