In a state where the illegal marijuana market is still much larger than the legal one, the biggest selling point for consumers is that pricier legal cannabis products are tested, regulated and safe. But a recent investigation by The Times and WeedWeek found that this is not necessarily true.
Industry groups say bad actors are failing to report contaminated products — and the lack of stringent oversight by the state has allowed them to get away with it. One cannabis testing lab, frustrated by the state’s failure to act, began testing cannabis products for pesticides. The lab co-founder sent 77 complaints to the Department of Cannabis Control about contaminated products from October to May, The Times reported.