Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division is considering a major overhaul of its testing regulations to prevent manufacturers from selecting samples that may be contaminated with chemicals, fungus, or pesticides. The current system allows manufacturers to choose which products they send to labs for testing, which critics argue is vulnerable to abuse and allows contaminated products to reach dispensaries.
Under the proposed new system, independent labs or outside vendors would collect product samples for testing, ensuring that a representative sample of the products is tested before they are sold to consumers. This change would address a long-standing complaint from some marijuana manufacturers that some companies are cheating the system by submitting samples that are not representative of the products they sell.
A recent investigation by The Denver Gazette and ProPublica found that the current system relies on an honor code that is open to manipulation. In 2024 alone, Colorado officials found 24 cases in which companies had violated testing rules, often by submitting samples that were different from what they sold in stores or by using unauthorized chemical treatments.
The proposed change is part of a broader effort to improve the state’s marijuana testing regulations, which have been criticized for being too lenient. The Denver Gazette and ProPublica’s investigation also found that Colorado has fallen behind other states in adopting robust regulations.
The Marijuana Enforcement Division will hold discussions with testing labs, marijuana cultivators, and manufacturers over the next few months to fashion a formal proposal. The division will also consider who would collect the samples, whether it would be licensed lab personnel or third-party samplers credentialed by the state.
Industry representatives have expressed concerns about the cost of implementing the new system, which would likely be passed on to consumers. However, some argue that the benefits of a more robust testing system outweigh the costs.
The proposed change is seen as a significant step towards improving the integrity of Colorado’s marijuana testing system and ensuring that consumers are getting the products they pay for.
