Colorado Auditor Identifies Cannabis Product Testing Shortfalls

Colorado’s cannabis testing framework has some product safety “deficiencies,” according to a Marijuana Consumer Safety report published this week by the Office of the State Auditor.

“Overall, we found that the State has established a framework that helps provide some assurance that regulated marijuana products sold in Colorado are safe. However, we identified deficiencies and gaps in the State’s marijuana product safety framework that limit its effectiveness to identify and respond to health and safety risks, which increase the risk that consumers may ultimately use contaminated products.” — Excerpt from the report

The audit calls for increased oversight of the private testing labs that currently test cannabis products in the state. The report also identifies shortcomings in the state’s management of cannabis testing, such as the lack of a state-run reference lab “to provide independent and comprehensive product testing” and improve product safety.

Officials also said that the “limited and inconsistent monitoring” by the Department of Revenue’s Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) limits the agency’s ability to identify safety issues with cannabis products.

Lastly, officials said that MED should issue health advisories more quickly after identifying potential safety issues with a cannabis product.