BOSTON, MA – State regulators in Massachusetts have taken the unprecedented step of revoking the business license for a commercial cannabis testing laboratory, citing a pattern of inaccurate reporting that they deem poses an “immediate and serious threat” to public health and safety. The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) announced the suspension and subsequent revocation of the license held by Assured Testing Laboratories, based in Tyngsboro, MA.
According to the CCC, Assured Testing Laboratories exhibited a persistent “pattern of failing to accurately report Total Yest and Mold test results” for cannabis products. This failure to accurately identify potentially hazardous contaminants formed the basis for the commission’s finding that the lab’s continued operation presented a significant risk to consumers.
Allegations of Concealment
The commission’s findings highlighted a dramatic discrepancy in the lab’s reported data when compared to statewide averages. Data submitted by Assured Testing Laboratories to Metrc, the state’s required seed-to-sale tracking software for the cannabis industry, showed an extraordinarily low yeast and mold fail rate. Between April 2024 and April 2025, the lab tested over 22,500 marijuana products, representing approximately 25% of the cannabis tested in the state during that period. Out of 17,565 samples tested for yeast and mold, only 10 failed, resulting in a reported fail rate of just 0.05%.
This figure stands in stark contrast to the state’s average yeast and mold fail rate, which is approximately 4.5%. The CCC alleged that this significant disparity indicated an “intentional effort to conceal those failing results” by the laboratory, suggesting a deliberate manipulation or misrepresentation of testing outcomes rather than mere error.
Testing laboratories play a critical role in the regulated cannabis market, acting as independent arbiters of product safety and potency before items can reach retail shelves. Their mandate includes testing for contaminants such as mold, yeast, pesticides, and heavy metals, as well as verifying cannabinoid content like THC and CBD. Failures in this essential step can lead to contaminated or mislabeled products being sold to consumers, potentially causing health issues.
Regulatory Action and Immediate Impact
The order issued by the Cannabis Control Commission requires Assured Testing Laboratories to cease all operations by 12:01 a.m. ET on Friday. The laboratory, which employs 33 people, has been given 21 days from the date of the order to request a hearing to challenge the commission’s decision.
Notably, the suspension and revocation order did not include an immediate recall of products previously tested by Assured Testing Laboratories. The process for determining whether products already in the market pose a risk requiring recall involves further assessment, which was not part of the initial action against the lab’s license.
Context and Broader Implications
This regulatory action marks the first instance of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission revoking a testing laboratory’s license since the state launched its adult-use cannabis market. It underscores the commission’s increasing focus on ensuring the integrity of the testing phase, which is a cornerstone of consumer safety regulations.
The action in Massachusetts follows similar punitive measures taken against cannabis testing labs in other states with regulated markets this year, including Arizona and California, indicating a growing national trend of stricter oversight and enforcement within the testing sector.
Adding to the scrutiny surrounding Assured Testing Laboratories, the lab was also among eight laboratories previously accused in a February lawsuit filed by a competitor. That lawsuit alleged various fraudulent practices within the testing industry, including specific claims related to THC potency inflation – a practice where labs are accused of inflating reported THC levels to make products appear more desirable to consumers, often allegedly in collusion with cultivators or product manufacturers.
In response to concerns about testing accuracy and integrity across the industry, the CCC stated that its dedicated Taskforce would continue its work verifying licensee practices. This ongoing effort aims to proactively identify and address potential non-compliance issues, reinforcing the commission’s commitment to upholding product safety standards for consumers across the Commonwealth.
The revocation sends a strong signal to other licensed testing laboratories in Massachusetts and potentially across the country regarding the critical importance of accurate and unbiased test results and the serious consequences of failing to meet regulatory standards designed to protect public health.
