Law Enforcement Group Warns of Fraud in Massachusetts Cannabis Industry
The president of a local law enforcement group is sounding the alarm about the reliability of cannabis products in Massachusetts, claiming that many products have THC levels that are significantly lower than what is listed on the label. Matt Gutwill, president of the New England Narcotic Officers Enforcement Association, says that his organization has tested over 100 products from multiple dispensaries and found that a substantial number have THC percentages that are below what is stated on the label.
Gutwill believes that this is a symptom of a larger problem – a lack of oversight by state regulators of cannabis testing labs. He argues that the Cannabis Control Commission, the state’s regulatory body, does not conduct enough random testing to ensure that products are accurate and safe.
The issue of THC inflation is not new, with rumors of “lab-shopping” – where labs try out different testing methods to get the most favorable result – having swirled in the industry. Gutwill claims that this is possible because the Cannabis Control Commission does not conduct its own random testing.
The issue came to light this summer when the Cannabis Control Commission suspended Assured Testing Laboratories in Tyngsboro for failing to report samples of cannabis that showed the presence of yeast and mold. The lab failed to report the presence of yeast and mold in over 7,000 samples, and in over 500 lab samples, the commission alleged that Assured failed to report the presence of yeast and mold that exceeded the state’s legal threshold for sale.
Dr. Zoe Weiss, the Clinical Director of Microbiology at Tufts Medical Center, warned that the presence of mold can cause severe issues for anyone who is immunocompromised, including pneumonias that can lead to life-threatening conditions.
The Cannabis Control Commission has taken steps to address the issue, including suspending Assured Testing Laboratories and creating a testing task force. The commission is also working to create a tip line and a regular secret shopping program to ensure that products are accurate and safe.
Despite the challenges, the cannabis industry in Massachusetts has seen significant growth, with gross sales surpassing $8 billion this year and generating roughly $250 million in tax revenue every year. The Cannabis Control Commission is working to ensure that the industry remains safe and reliable, while also addressing the concerns of law enforcement and the public.
