The Maine legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs committee considered nine cannabis-related bills Monday, including two proposals that seek to strengthen safety requirements.

Out of more than 30 states with medical cannabis programs, Maine is the only one that doesn’t require testing for mold, pesticides, and heavy metals. The two bills on the table, LD 104 and LD 1847, would change that.

Supporters include Maine’s Office of Cannabis Policy, physician and public health organizations, and some cannabis growers.

John Brady, co-founder of Brilliant Buds, reminded lawmakers that a recent state audit found that more than 40% of medical cannabis tested had at least one contaminant.

“If I came before you today and said I have a product I want to sell to immunocompromised patients and 42% failed testing for either pesticides or heavy metals, would this committee say yes to approve that product?” Brady asked.

Opponents argued that the proposals would do little to protect public health, but would impose expensive regulations that would put small growers out of business. Medical cannabis caregiver Emily Baldwin said she left California because of its regulations and moved to Aroostook County.

“Patients deserve a safe and reliable legal market,” Baldwin said. “To achieve that, we need balanced regulations. Ones that protect consumers without bankrupting the very people who grow and process their medicine.”

One of the proposals would also place a potency cap on medical edibles and form a group to study how to reduce high-risk cannabis use by adolescents, which can increase the risk of anxiety and mental illness.