The NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for its biannual cannabis testing program assessment to address quality-control issues.
It is seeking “an independent, reproducible analysis of the cannabis testing program and the market integrity of cannabis products being sold in NJ.”
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They explained that “regular statistical analysis of cannabis testing data is essential to ensure product safety, regulatory compliance, quality consistency, and the long-term success of New Jersey’s legal cannabis market.”
“Accurate and consistent cannabis testing data is the foundation of consumer trust and regulatory adherence. Analytics applied to lab results enable an understanding about how variables, like the lab at which a test is performed, affect test outcomes.”
Many NJ cannabis consumer advocates have been skeptical for years about the quality and the testing of legal cannabis in the state.
Addressing Lab Shopping Issues in the NJ Cannabis Market
It says this will ensure “that labs are detecting contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, microbial organisms, and residual solvents that are invisible to the human senses. Without such analysis, there is no verified way to confirm potency, composition, or safety, which is a core requirement for state compliance.”
They noted that testing helps ensure labs generate accurate, detailed, and properly document the Certificate of Analysis (COAs) so products meet standards.
They claimed that ‘in a competitive and evolving testing laboratory market, consistent analysis of compliance reduces the risk of product recalls, penalties, and ensures public trust in legal cannabis products. NJCRC needs to ensure that cannabis lab shopping is not taking place.”
Unfortunately, lab shopping also seems to be a result of a competitive market to test products.
The report notes that “data analytics ensures that cannabinoid and terpene profiles can be trusted by the public. This is especially critical for medical cannabis, where dosage accuracy can impact patient outcomes.”
MSO Lab Testers Preferred by NJRC
Notably, the RFP says, “the applicant must have demonstrable experience with the analysis of cannabis lab testing data across multiple states.”
It also makes sense that “the applicant must be in good standing with NJCRC and the Department of the Treasury.”
The applicant must not appear on the State of New Jersey Consolidated Debarment Report or be suspended or debarred by any other state or federal entity from receiving funds.
They added that “the applicant shall not have a conflict, or the appearance of a conflict, between the private interests and the official responsibilities of a person in a position of trust. Persons in a position of trust include agency staff members, officers and Governing Board Members.”
Conflicts of interest get difficult and complicated in Jersey.
Examining NJ Cannabis Testing Labs
So they want a company to be able to produce:
- “An Executive Summary that presents high-level findings suitable for leadership or legislative briefings, highlighting key trends, statistical signals, and system-level issues that may warrant near-term attention.”
- “An academically rigorous report that provides detailed statistical analyses and visualizations, with methodological explanations, including a dedicated section identifying data gaps, data quality issues, and their implications for oversight and interpretation.”
- “A reproducible analysis … that accompanies the analytical report and includes annotated code used to generate all analyses and figures…”
- “A regular meeting/check in schedule where NJCRC staff can be brought up to speed on progress and receive high-level guidance on urgent questions related to the day-to-day regulation of cannabis testing.”
Full Cannabis Testing Lab Report Required
“The full report will, at a minimum, include the following:”
- “Introduction and Purpose
- Data Sources and Preparation
- Program Overview
- Laboratory-Level and Market-Level Analysis
- Statistical Signal Detection
- Market Integrity Indicators
- Interpretation and Regulatory Context
- Recommendations and Monitoring Options
- Limitations, Data Gaps, and Data Collection Considerations
- Appendices (Code, Methods, Documentation).”
“There is no standard budget template required, but all costs must total less than or equal to fifty thousand dollars.”
“Proposals must be submitted no later than 3:00 p.m. ET on October 22, 2026.”
