Massachusetts revokes first cannabis testing laboratory license
In a first for the Massachusetts cannabis market, state regulators have suspended the business license for a commercial testing laboratory.The suspension of Assured Testing Laboratories’ license by the state Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) comes amid nationwide scrutiny of testing lab results – and open accusations of THC potency inflation and other fraud.
ADVERTISEMENT According to the CCC’s suspension order issued Monday, the Tyngsboro-based lab’s established “pattern of failing to accurately report Total Yest and Mold test results” poses “an immediate and serious threat” to public health and safety.However, no product recalls or other enforcement actions accompanied the order.
The lab must cease operations by 12:01 a.m.ET Friday under the order, but it has 21 days to request a hearing.
Lab ‘stands by what we do’ A representative for Assured Testing, reached via telephone by MJBizDaily on Tuesday, said the lab “stands by what we do” but did not immediately provide further comment.A CCC spokesperson said in a statement that the suspension is the culmination of an investigation intended to improve “product testing as part of the Commission’s mission to oversee a safe, equitable cannabis marketplace in Massachusetts.” “Through this Taskforce, the Commission will continue to verify the practices of licensees and take necessary action to ensure products sold through the adult- and medical-use markets are safe,” the statement added.
ADVERTISEMENT The CCC alleges that the lab tested more than 22,500 marijuana products, or roughly 25% of the cannabis in the state, from April 2024 to April 2025.According to results that Assured Testing submitted to Metrc, the state’s seed-to-sale tracking software, only 10 samples out of 17,565 were failed for containing total yeast and mold in excess of state limits.
That’s a 0.05% fail rate, or 9...