As legal cannabis markets continue to grow across the U.S., many consumers are focused on things like THC percentage, terpene profiles, and branding. However, there’s a behind-the-scenes issue that’s quietly putting both consumer safety and industry trust at risk: lab shopping.
🔍 What is “lab shopping” in cannabis?
Lab shopping happens when cannabis producers shop around for testing labs that will give them the results they want—not necessarily the most accurate ones. While testing is supposed to confirm that products are clean, potent, and free from harmful contaminants, some labs feel pressured to inflate THC numbers or overlook issues just to keep business.
- Viridis Laboratories, once a leading cannabis testing facility in Michigan with 72% of the recreational market, has faced significant scrutiny over allegations of artificially inflating THC potency results, a practice often referred to as “pay-to-pass” testing. This term describes scenarios where testing labs purportedly provide favorable results to clients in exchange for continued business, compromising the integrity of product testing. Read more about the Viridis scandal HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.
🧪 Why cannabis testing actually matters
Cannabis testing isn’t just a checkbox; it’s how we confirm that products are free of mold, pesticides, heavy metals, and even foreign materials like insects or human hair. Without accurate testing, consumers – especially medical patients – have no way of knowing if their cannabis is clean or potentially harmful.
To learn how testing works and what’s required, check out Leafly’s Guide to Cannabis Lab Testing.
⚠️ Real recalls in legal states
This issue isn’t just hypothetical. Several legal markets have already experienced serious product recalls tied to inconsistent lab results:
- 🧫 New Jersey: Green Joy flower was recalled after state inspectors found mold, insect parts, and human hair—even though it had already passed testing.
- 🌿 Maine: Officials issued their first adult-use recalls for excessive yeast and mold levels.
- 🧪 California: A top-selling vape product was recalled for possible pesticide contamination, despite “clean” lab reports.
💡 How to shop smarter (and safer)
While the system still needs work, here’s how you can protect yourself as a consumer:
- ✅ Ask to see the COA (Certificate of Analysis). Look for testing date, lab name, and pass/fail status.
- 📆 Check batch or harvest dates—fresher usually means better.
- 🔍 Be aware of fake THC hype. Numbers aren’t everything—look at terpene content and how the product smells to you.
- 💬 Ask questions! Budtenders can often tell you which brands test honestly and consistently.
- 🌐 Stick to transparent brands like 710 Labs that prioritize clean, consistent results.
📣 Don’t just rely on labels – know your regulators!
Many consumers don’t realize they can check product recalls, lab violations, and license complaints directly through their state’s cannabis oversight agency. These state sites often post alerts and updated lab results, so it pays to bookmark them.
👉 Not sure where to start?
Use the Resources by State Map on CannabisWorkersResource.com to find your local cannabis regulatory agency and file concerns directly when needed.
Staying informed not only protects your health, it puts pressure on the industry to do better. Read the full story over at Cannadelics right HERE.
💬 At CannabisWorkersResource.com, we believe cannabis safety starts with worker transparency and consumer education. Whether you’re a patient, a casual consumer, or an industry employee, knowing what happens behind the scenes helps protect everyone.
➡️ Have a tip or concern about unsafe cannabis products? Send it to us anonymously on our Testimonials page, or DM us on Instagram @CannabisWorkersResource
