The cannabis industry is growing, and with it comes a pressing need for quality control and consumer safety. Missouri is taking a step to grow with it by establishing its own state-run cannabis testing laboratory. The intent is to tackle the ongoing challenges of lab shopping, inaccurate testing results, and inflated potency numbers that many say plague private labs in many other states that allow privatized cannabis testing labs.
Missouri Growing Cannabis Industry and Plans To Have Government-Run Testing Lab
Cannabis sales in Missouri have grown rapidly, bringing both opportunities and challenges. With the legalization of medical marijuana in 2018 and recreational use in 2022, the state has witnessed a boom in the cannabis industry.
However, as sales soar, so do concerns over the accuracy and reliability of product testing conducted by private labs, as we’ve seen in other states. This has prompted Missouri to invest in a government-run laboratory, dubbed the Missouri Cannabis State Reference Laboratory, which aims to uphold safety and potency standards, as reported by The Beacon.
The Missouri Cannabis State Reference Laboratory will perform essential testing to ensure product safety and integrity by identifying and quantifying the levels of cannabinoids present in cannabis products. Additionally, the lab will measure moisture content and screen for contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, mold, and other pathogens, as outlined in a report of the 2023 Missouri cannabis industry.
The new lab will be housed in the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory in Jefferson City and is expected to be fully operational by fall 2025. The state’s investment, drawing on marijuana tax revenues, shows a commitment to ensure that consumers receive safe products and accurate information about their purchasing.
Why Missouri is Taking Control of Cannabis Testing
With a planned investment of millions from marijuana taxes, Missouri’s cannabis testing laboratory hopes to address potential conflicts of interest inherent in private lab testing. However, currently, private labs perform testing paid for by the producers and sellers, which creates a financial incentive to provide favorable results. Consequently, this situation has led to concerns about the exaggeration of potency and the overlooking of contaminants.
By establishing a state-controlled laboratory, Missouri aims to eliminate these biases and guarantee the integrity of testing results. This move aligns with practices in a dozen other states that have instituted similar quality assurance laboratories.
Accurate cannabis testing is crucial for consumer safety and maintaining trust in the legal market. Many products boast varying levels of cannabinoids, including THC, the psychoactive component that can affect users in different ways. Mislabeling or inflating potency can lead to serious health risks, such as overdosing or accidents caused by impaired judgment.
Furthermore, the presence of harmful contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, and mold poses additional health hazards. Ensuring testing can help protect consumers from these dangers, providing peace of mind that the products they consume are safe and correctly labeled.
Missouri has experienced several large product recalls this year within the cannabis industry due to concerns over contaminated and inaccurately labeled products. Establishing the state-run laboratory could have mitigated these issues by providing more reliable testing and ensuring that only safe and accurately labeled products reach consumers.
Cannabis Tax Revenue Leads to Industry Growth
Led by Amy Moore, the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation is leading the effort to ensure cannabis safety and compliance. Moore emphasized that the new lab will not only enforce compliance with established rules but also verify the accuracy of testing results.
“We don’t want to just look at compliance with rules,” said Moore. “We want to look at the results as well.”
This initiative represents a strategic attempt to weed out bad actors in cannabis testing labs across Missouri by ensuring adherence to stringent testing procedures and standards.
Missouri’s cannabis market has experienced substantial growth, with sales surpassing $3 billion since the end of 2020. This includes nearly $2 billion from recreational sales and just over $1 billion from medical sales. Despite a dip in medical cannabis revenue since adult-use began, those recreational sales have more than compensated for the decline, contributing significantly to the state’s tax revenues.
The state imposes a 4% tax on medical cannabis sales and a 6% tax on recreational sales, generating millions in revenue. These funds are allocated to vital programs, such as veteran support, drug addiction treatment, legal assistance for low-income individuals, and, of course, the Missouri Cannabis State Reference Laboratory mentioned above.
The introduction of a state-run lab marks a significant milestone in Missouri’s cannabis industry. Moreover, it sets a precedent for other states seeking to enhance consumer protection and regulatory compliance. With the lab expected to be operational by fall 2025, Missouri is poised to set an example for cannabis testing.
Furthermore, the future of cannabis testing in Missouri holds promise, with the potential for continued growth and innovation. By prioritizing safety, accuracy, and transparency, the state can ensure that consumers have safe and correctly regulated cannabis products.
