A Tale of Two and a Half Laboratories: A Case Study

In the high-stakes world of cannabis testing, what happens when financial pressure outweighs federal law—and public health? This presentation explores a real-world case study of a multi-state cannabis testing laboratory that covertly shipped samples across state lines for full panel testing. The practice, a clear violation of federal law prohibiting interstate cannabis transport, was driven by unsustainable costs: high-priced lab equipment, overhead burdens, and difficulty staffing qualified analysts in every location.
When labs cut corners to survive, the consequences extend beyond compliance. Inaccurate or delayed test results can expose consumers to unsafe products and erode public trust in the safety of the legal cannabis supply. This session will dive into the legal, ethical, and health-related risks of operating in a fractured regulatory system and will challenge attendees to consider a larger question: Is it time to federally legalize cannabis to create a unified, enforceable framework that protects both consumers and laboratories? Join us for a frank, eye-opening discussion at the intersection of policy, science, and public safety.