Cannabis testing lab shopping has likely led to false reports, contaminated products reaching consumers, and many recalls across the state-legal cannabis markets.
Cannabis Testing Laboratories are an important part of consumers accessing legal, clean, and safe cannabis. They test cannabis products for different types of contamination, from human hair to mold.
Recalled Cannabis Products Across State-Legal Markets
However, several very contaminated cannabis products have reached consumers this year. So, states have issued many cannabis product recalls.
For example, in July, the NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) ordered a recall of the Green Joy flower brand by the small Multi-State Operator (MSO) Green Medicine NJ. The CRC said that twelve of fifteen samples had insects or human hair.Â
Then, on September 4th, Maine recalled four products. They were a strain of adult-use flower and three strains of adult-use pre-rolls, GG4, Jelly Donutz, and Portal. It was Maine’s first recall since opening the Maine adult-use cannabis market four years ago. The products were recalled due to failed yeast and mold testing. Nova Analytics Labs in Portland, Maine, said that it is not uncommon for cannabis products to fail testing.
On October 11th, Maine’s Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) recalled select pre-ground adult-use flower, pre-rolls, and blunts produced by the small MSO Nova Farms. The recall was due to Microbials, aerobic bacteria, and Enterobacteriaceae, which can cause respiratory issues and tuberculosis. Yeast and mold were also above the pass/fail threshold. Fourteen cannabis dispensaries sold these products between September 17th to October 8th.
On October 24th, the OCP extended the recall to include pre-ground flower, pre-rolls, and blunts in the strain “Frosted Cookies” and pre-ground flower in the strain “Frozay.” Nine dispensaries sold these products between August 30th and October 14th.
More Legal Cannabis Recalls
In addition, on November 7th, the Maine OCP recalled the adult-use flower, “The Soap.” They did so due to a yeast and mold count above the pass/fail threshold. The flower was grown by Leb City Greeneries. Four adult-use dispensaries sold these products between October 11th to October 24th.
Then, on November 21st, California recalled a Flav vape cartridge and integrated vaporizer for potential Category I Pesticide Contamination. The company packaged the products between October 16th and 18th and sold them between October 23rd and October 25th. The California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) advised those who may have adverse reactions to see their physician immediately.
On November 22nd, California recalled Panda Pen vape cartridges for potential Category II Pesticide Contamination. Retailers sell these products in nearly 55 locations. These products were packages from April 18th-April 21st and sold on or after April 24th.
Typically, these recalls are due to routine compliance checks by the state.
Lab Shopping
When retailers or product manufacturers seek a testing lab that will produce favorable numbers for labels, it becomes an increasingly large issue in the industry. This is known as “lab shopping.”
Licensed testing companies have said they are losing clients since they will not favorably alter numbers. Many favorable labs in the past have overlooked pesticide and mold reports. That allows such products to make it into the hands of consumers.
THC Inflation
Along with hiding issues on their labels, many cannabis companies also lab shop since they want inflated THC numbers on their products so that they sell more.
The first thing customers see on a cannabis product label is the percentage of THC in the product. It is the cannabinoid many consumers know gets you high. Since they often want “strong weed,” growers maximize THC in their crops.
So, demand across the industry for super-strength THC products has caused many labs to inflate the reports in favor of their clients’ desires. When licensed labs attempt to do the right thing and not alter report numbers to their clients’ liking, they might be in danger of losing clients.
THCA is often the dominant cannabinoid among those that make the plant what it is. It can be found in both cannabis and intoxicating hemp and gets you high like its cousin THC.
Reference Labs Checking Licensed Cannabis Labs
Reference Labs help states keep clean and regulated cannabis on the shelves by keeping testing processes accurate by overseeing cannabis testing labs. Many states, such as California, Maryland, and New York, have such labs.
But other states, such as New Jersey, Arizona, and Ohio, do not have reference labs. Creating reference labs could be a critical move in the industry to keep consumers safe from contaminated cannabis.
In Jersey, the CRC is supposed to handle these issues.
The quality of legal New Jersey cannabis has been a problem from the start. Large MSOs have been found to sell moldy weed. Many medical marijuana patients were critical of the program when the State ran the only testing lab. Over the years, the process has improved after being slow. A few new cannabis testing labs have opened since cannabis lab licensing began in 2021.
