Pot companies urge California to delay strict test rules

LOS ANGELES – (AP) – Nearly 150 marijuana companies in California warned Friday that they could suffer crushing financial losses unless the state extends the July 1 deadline imposing stringent standards for testing and packaging pots.

Governor Jerry Brown of the United Cannabis Business Association said the changes would further disrupt the troubled legal market that began on January 1, which could force businesses to close

. to handle the test, and retailers should destroy large amounts of unsold cannabis that does not meet the new standards.

Association President Jerred Kiloh estimated that businesses could face losses of up to $ 400 million if these supplies unsoldes were destroyed. In a statement, the State Bureau of Cannabis Control gave no indication that it would consider going back on the deadline

. In November, we were very clear that there would be a six-month transition period for retailers to deplete their existing stock. new rules, "said Alex Traverso, spokesman for the agency, in an email.