Missouri’s marijuana oversight agency will kick off a new initiative aimed at ensuring cannabis products on store shelves are truly safe from next month. Inspectors from the Division of Cannabis Regulation will begin making unannounced visits to dispensaries each month, collecting roughly 50 products for independent analysis at the Missouri State Public Health Reference Laboratory. These samples will be tested for contaminants such as pesticides, mold, and other potential hazards.
According to Ryan Bernard, who leads the division’s research and testing team, the program has been in the pipeline for some time. It’s designed to add an extra layer of accountability for the state’s licensed cannabis testing labs. Bernard said they’re not expecting any red flags, saying, “We won’t know what we’re dealing with until we see the data, but I trust our labs are following the rules.”
However, some experts in the national marijuana testing industry aren’t so optimistic. Josh Swider, a lab executive and vice chair of a national cannabis lab working group, warned that similar surprise testing programs in other states have revealed serious issues. He pointed to a case in Arizona where a lab was cited for over a dozen violations, including faulty methods for detecting pesticides and misleading potency results.
Swider also noted that a common issue across the U.S. is inflated THC numbers, which can mislead consumers about product strength. Missouri may encounter the same problems, he added.
Previously, Missouri regulators had discussed a program where licensed labs would cross-check each other’s results—a concept known as “round robin” testing. Although considered critical by Division Director Amy Moore, the plan never materialized. Instead, the upcoming random sampling will serve as the state’s first attempt at independent oversight.
Lawmakers have already begun funding the effort, allocating $3.8 million for the testing initiative in FY 2024/25. However, much of it went unused due to delays in setting up the necessary lab systems. Another $2.4 million was set aside for the current year, with a similar amount approved for the upcoming fiscal year.
Bernard acknowledged that testing 50 products out of the hundreds of thousands available in the market barely scratches the surface. Still, he described the effort as an early step toward broader oversight. He added that supply delays, equipment problems, and other challenges have slowed the rollout.
Last year, experts raised concerns over Missouri’s testing ecosystem during a cannabis industry conference. It was revealed that one lab— “Lab D”—handled 82% of testing in the state and reported significantly fewer mold contamination cases than others. While most labs in Missouri reported mold detection rates around the national average of 3.8%, Lab D’s rate was below 0.5%. This raised suspicions that some issues may be slipping through undetected.
Even so, Bernard said he stands by the current system. “All labs are required to meet the same standards,” he said. “Without further investigation, I believe the testing is being done properly.”
The broader marijuana industry, including companies like TerrAscend Corp. (TSX: TSND) (OTCQX: TSNDF), is likely to welcome the efforts geared at assuring consumers in Missouri that the products they buy from licensed outlets are exactly what their labels say they are.
About CNW420
CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of an article each business day at 4:20 p.m. Eastern – a tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. The concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.
To receive SMS alerts from CNW, text CANNABIS to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information, please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com/Disclaimer
CannabisNewsWire
Denver, CO
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com
CannabisNewsWire is powered by IBN
