Colorado Marijuana Regulators Consider Major Overhaul of Lab Testing Process
Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division is considering a significant change to the way labs test marijuana products for potency, contamination, and compliance with state and federal regulations. The proposed change would require independent labs or outside vendors to collect product samples for testing, rather than allowing manufacturers to choose which samples they send.
This move comes in response to concerns that the current system is vulnerable to abuse and allows contaminated products to reach dispensaries. A recent investigation by The Denver Gazette and ProPublica found that some companies are selecting samples that can pass tests while sending contaminated products to dispensaries.
Under the current system, manufacturers are allowed to choose which product samples they send to labs, which can lead to manipulation and cheating. The state’s rules require that the samples sent to labs be representative of what is actually delivered to dispensaries, but the investigation found that this is not always the case.
The proposed change would address this issue by requiring independent labs or outside vendors to collect product samples, which would ensure that the testing is more comprehensive and accurate. The state is also considering who would collect the samples, including licensed lab personnel or third-party samplers that the state would credential.
Industry representatives have expressed concerns about the cost of implementing this change, which would likely be passed on to consumers. However, some have praised the move, saying that it would help to ensure the integrity of the testing process and protect consumers.
The Marijuana Enforcement Division will hold discussions with testing labs, marijuana cultivators, and manufacturers over the next few months to develop a formal proposal. The state is also considering who would collect the samples, including licensed lab personnel or third-party samplers that the state would credential.
The proposed change is part of a broader effort to improve the regulation of the marijuana industry in Colorado. The state has faced criticism for its lack of robust regulations, which has led to contamination and other issues in the industry.
