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(Andrew Selsky/AP file)

A group of Oregon lawmakers has sent a letter to Gov. Kate Brown and public health officials urging them to preserve Oregon's pesticide testing requirements.

The legislators said they shared "grave concern" about proposed rule changes, which scale back testing requirements for cannabis extracts. The group said it wants the Oregon Health Authority to keep current rules in place.

The lawmakers said they're particularly concerned about the impact of rule changes on the marijuana testing industry.

"These constantly changing rules have made it very difficult for these businesses to continue to operate, let alone make the investments needed to continue to expand," they wrote.

The bipartisan group signing last week's letter were: Rep. Andy Olson, R-Albany, Sen. Jeff Kruse, R-Roseburg, Rep. Carl Wilson, R-Grants Pass, Sen. Laurie Monnes Anderson, D-Gresham, Rep. Brian Clem, D-Salem, Rep. Susan McLain, D-Hillsboro, Rep. Chris Gorsek, D-Troutdale, and Rep. Jeff Barker, D-Aloha.

Olson, Kruse and Wilson were the only members of the 10-member joint committee on marijuana implementation to sign the letter.

The health authority sets pesticide rules for both medical and recreational marijuana. Among the proposed changes to the rules: Instead of requiring that every batch of marijuana extract and concentrate be screened for pesticide contamination, the products would be randomly tested annually. But all of the marijuana used to make those products would first be screened for pesticides.

The state also has proposed new rules for marijuana flower headed to the market. Current rules require about 33 percent of all batches of marijuana flower for the recreational system be tested for pesticides.

The change would give authority to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission to require less testing. Under the proposal, at least 20 percent of marijuana flower would undergo pesticide testing. (In the medical marijuana system, 100 percent of medical flower batches still would undergo pesticide testing.)

Changes to the pesticide testing requirements continue to be politically charged, with some labs pressing for more testing and some marijuana producers, processors and retailers arguing for less.

Don Morse, who represents the Oregon Cannabis Business Council, an association of marijuana businesses, said many feel the current rules overreach.

"Keeping it this way is stymying" the industry, said Morse, a Portland store owner. He said the people pressing to keep the rules in place are "lobbying in their own best interest."

A few labs have formed a political action committee -- Oregonians for Public Health and Safety. Lobbyist Caleb Hayes, who represents the group, said the organization also includes the Oregon Sungrown Growers Guild, which is comprised of outdoor growers.

"This is in the interest of public health and safety period," Hayes said. "We collectively feel these testing rules are the wrong direction for Oregon."

-- Noelle Crombie

503-276-7184; @noellecrombie