In the burgeoning U.S. cannabis market, an alarming issue has surfaced within the cannabis testing industry: "lab shopping." This practice involves cannabis businesses selecting testing labs that will provide favorable results, often at the expense of accuracy and public health. The issue first arose with labs inflating THCa levels in cannabis flower, but now it extends to overlooking harmful contaminants such as mold and pesticides.
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The Problem of Inflated Results
The desire for high-THC products has led some labs to manipulate THC levels on certificates of analysis (CoAs). Julie Kowalski, a former chief scientific officer and now consultant, describes a culture where labs are pressured to provide inflated THC numbers to stay in business. Dispensaries often push for higher THC values, creating a cycle of demand that encourages labs to falsify results or face closure.
Mold and Pesticide Contamination
Beyond THC inflation, there are concerns about labs ignoring mold and pesticide contamination. Regulatory responses vary by state, with some requiring comprehensive testing for contaminants while others have less stringent measures. For instance, California's Department of Cannabis Control now mandates standardized testing procedures, but the effectiveness of these new regulations remains in question.
Regulatory Actions and Lab Responses
States are attempting to address these issues through various measures. California has shut down a lab for reporting false results, and Michigan and Maryland are setting up reference labs to standardize testing and investigate discrepancies. However, these initiatives face delays, and many labs feel that regulatory actions are too slow.
Data and Transparency Issues
Testing labs committed to accurate results are frustrated by the lack of transparency and slow regulatory responses. Yasha Kahn of MCR Labs has used Freedom of Information Act requests to uncover trends indicating that labs with inflated THC results or unusually low mold failure rates often gain market share, while honest labs struggle. His findings suggest that about 30% of U.S. cannabis labs may be providing false results, contributing to a market where integrity is compromised.
Looking Ahead
Efforts are ongoing to improve the reliability of cannabis testing. New reference labs and enhanced regulatory measures aim to curb fraudulent practices and ensure consumer safety. Nevertheless, the industry faces significant challenges in enforcing standards and maintaining transparency.
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