OHA Possibly Expanding Lab Testing Requirements
As many of our members may already be aware from our earlier discussions, the OHA is currently initiating a course of conversations about possibly overhauling the state’s laboratory testing standards for cannabis.
Some of the proposed changes are significant, and would involve adding new types of tests such as those for mycotoxins, heavy metals, and microbiological contaminants.
The impact of these changes on producers (and, in turn, every other downstream business in the cannabis industry) is not insignificant, and some of the current proposals could cause testing costs to increase by 50-70%
Currently, we’re working closely on coordinating with our members serving on OHA’s rules advisory committee to provide industry input and to propose smart ways to modify their proposals – so we can achieve their goal of strengthening our state’s testing standards, but without adding huge costs.
Strengthening Oregon’s testing standards, in broad terms, is beneficial for our state’s producers and manufacturers because it further establishes the premium of the Oregon brand at the national level, while also putting us at the front of the line for a national export market once that goes live.
The rulemaking process for these proposed changes is still very much in its infancy, but it’s fair for us to expect the OHA to take some significant action to strengthen our testing standards over the course of the coming years.
We’re actively soliciting feedback from our members about how these proposed changes would effect their business – so if your business would be effected, contact us to share your insight and your story.
