Missouri is setting up a state-run marijuana testing laboratory to enhance regulatory oversight of the cannabis industry, using funds sourced from state marijuana taxes.
This lab, aimed at bolstering quality control, will test products for safety and potency, addressing the potential for misleading claims in a market with over $1 billion in annual sales of joints, edibles, and other cannabis products.
This new laboratory, expected to be operational by fall 2025 according to a report from The Beacon, will be based at the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory in Jefferson City. The state has allocated $3.8 million for the lab in fiscal year 2024, followed by $2.4 million in 2025, to support its establishment and operations. Testing will focus on cannabinoid levels, especially THC, and will screen for contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, and mold.
Currently, Missouri’s cannabis market relies on private labs that conduct tests financed by cannabis companies. However, this state-run lab is designed to provide an unbiased verification process beyond basic compliance checks. This move is meant to address concerns over conflicts of interest, as private labs might face pressure to produce favorable results for their clients.
Last month, the state recalled 23,000 marijuana products, bringing the total number of marijuana products recalled since August to over 150,000.
Missouri, which legalized medical marijuana in 2018 and recreational use in 2022, has seen significant sales growth, with total sales surpassing $3 billion since 2020.
