Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Tightens Testing Requirements in Continued Effort to Enhance Industry Public Health and Safety

Administrative order will require licensees to test marijuana products for contaminants through a single Independent Testing Laboratory

WORCESTER — The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) voted 3-0 Dec. 12 to approve an administrative order clarifying current cannabis testing protocols, an effort the agency hopes will further ensure public health and safety in the regulated marketplace through consistent, compliant testing practices.

Effective April 1, 2025, the administrative order requires licensed adult- and medical-use cannabis businesses to submit one test sample package to a single Independent Testing Laboratory (ITL) for all compliance testing of marijuana and marijuana products in accordance with the agency’s regulations and testing protocols. The clarification moves away from past practice of allowing licensees to select one or multiple ITLs to perform the required contaminant testing, which the agency previously stated may present an opportunity for inconsistencies or a limited ability to analyze testing data.  

“This administrative order continues our mission of being a strong regulator so that we can ensure public health and safety in Massachusetts’ regulated cannabis industry,” Acting Executive Director/Chief People Officer Debbie Hilton-Creek said. “The Commission is committed to continue making improvements so that all residents can maintain full confidence in the products they purchase from the legal marketplace.”

Building on the existing protocols, the administrative order also provides specificity and clear definitions regarding how ITLs can compliantly engage sub-contractors in the event they cannot perform certain required tests, as well as standards for timely reporting of information to the Commission and to the state’s seed-to-sale system of record, Metrc, when working with subcontracted ITLs. More technical guidance related to Metrc is forthcoming.

At the Commission’s November 14 public meeting, Commissioners directed staff to develop the final administrative order articulating the new process for licensees. The Commission’s Investigations and Enforcement team outlined potential benefits of the updated process in that discussion: 

• Reduce risk of products being transferred or sold with complete testing requirements; 
• Increase audit and reporting capabilities; 
• Eliminate multiple certificates of analysis (COAs) for the same batch which requires lengthy review by staff;  
• Promote data transparency and simplify data management; and 
• Effective prosecution of enforcement actions related to lab shopping, among others.

The action taken Thursday is one of many being contemplated and implemented following the Commission’s November 7 listening session regarding testing and ITLs. During the November 14 meeting, staff and Commissioners shared other changes that would be taking effect to more fully communicate with the public about ongoing testing compliance, including publishing test results for THC% and THCA% to the agency’s Open Data platform. Further, the Commission announced that agency representatives would meet on a regular basis with the licensed laboratories in Massachusetts.

Additional information about this administrative order is available by visiting the agency’s “Enforcement Announcements” page at MassCannabisControl.com, by contacting the Commission by phone (774-415-0200) or email (Commission@CCCMass.com), or following the agency on Facebook and X.

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