Cannabis Testing Labs Sue Equipment Manufacturer for $1 Billion Over Allegedly Faulty Cannabis Testing Gear

Massive Lawsuit Refiled Against Revvity Health Sciences in Massachusetts Court

In a high-stakes legal battle that could have significant implications for the cannabis testing industry, more than two dozen marijuana testing laboratories have refiled a lawsuit seeking $1 billion in damages against Revvity Health Sciences, formerly known as PerkinElmer Health Sciences. The plaintiffs allege they were sold defective cannabis testing equipment under false pretenses—gear that ultimately failed to meet basic regulatory standards.

The lawsuit, refiled in Suffolk County Superior Court in Massachusetts on July 24, accuses the company and its leadership of engaging in a “knowingly and intentionally deceptive marketing and sales campaign.” This campaign, according to the complaint, misled labs into purchasing equipment that was never designed to reliably test cannabis products.

Labs Say They Were Misled by ‘Turnkey’ Testing Solutions That Never Worked

The core of the labs’ complaint revolves around the claim that Revvity, under its previous PerkinElmer brand, marketed a ‘turnkey cannabis testing suite’. This suite was touted as a cost-saving solution, capable of running multiple state-mandated tests with fewer instruments, minimal setup, and pre-approved standard operating procedures (SOPs).

But according to court filings, the equipment not only underperformed—it failed to deliver the regulatory compliance it promised. Labs claim they were told they could test for all required analytes, pesticides, residual solvents, terpenes, and heavy metals with ease and accuracy. Instead, the suit says the equipment frequently failed to produce reliable results, directly jeopardizing the labs’ licenses and reputations.

Labs Claim $325 Million in Direct Damages, Seek $1 Billion in Total Relief

The 25+ plaintiff laboratories report at least $325 million in combined damages directly attributable to the alleged fraud. But because the lawsuit also alleges RICO violations, negligence, breach of warranty, and fraud, the total relief sought reaches $1 billion.

Many of these labs are based in the U.S.—spanning 10 states from California to Maine—as well as Canada, where cannabis is federally legal. The financial and reputational damage, they argue, has been devastating. Some have even gone out of business as a direct result of using the equipment.

State Regulators Had Flagged Problems as Early as 2019—But Sales Continued

Despite being informed by California regulators as early as 2019 that a lab using PerkinElmer equipment was unable to detect certain required analytes, the company allegedly continued to market and sell the same systems.

The lawsuit claims that internal employees, executives, and board members were made aware of these critical flaws by early 2020. Rather than address the issues or halt sales, Revvity allegedly doubled down, continuing to pitch the same “turnkey” solutions to cannabis testing laboratories across North America.

Defective Machines, Dangerous Digestors, and Unusable SOPs

Among the specific issues cited in the lawsuit:

• The QSight machine, which was marketed as capable of combining two machines’ worth of testing into one, could not reliably detect required pesticides.
  
• A digestor used to prepare samples for heavy metals testing allegedly posed safety hazards, including frequent explosions of acid-filled vessels.
  
• Promised state-specific SOPs—required in jurisdictions like California, Oregon, and New York—were either incomplete or non-existent, making regulatory compliance impossible.
  

Labs that followed PerkinElmer’s SOPs found themselves failing state audits, and in some cases, losing their licenses entirely.

Repercussions for Labs: Revoked Licenses and Tarnished Reputations

At least one lab, NCALC (The Higher Commitment Analytical) in Nevada City, California, claims it had its state permit revoked due to failing to meet testing requirements the equipment was supposed to handle. Another plaintiff, Assured Testing in Massachusetts, is suing the Cannabis Control Commission over a recently suspended license.

This controversy adds yet another layer of complexity to the cannabis testing industry, already under scrutiny for inconsistent lab results, including accusations of inflated THC levels and missed contaminants. The fallout from this lawsuit could deepen public mistrust in the very labs meant to guarantee cannabis product safety.

Private Equity and Alleged Retaliation Add Fuel to the Legal Fire

The lawsuit also drags in New Mountain Capital, a private equity fund that acquired PerkinElmer’s cannabis-testing business operations in 2023. According to the labs, the acquisition did not result in improvements. Instead, they claim Revvity refused to service or repair machines used by labs that joined the suit.

Labs that did not sue were allegedly threatened with denial of service if they ever pursued legal action. Furthermore, the suit names Juniper Analytics, another cannabis-testing business, accusing it of promoting the faulty equipment in exchange for free machinery and financial incentives.

Extensive List of Plaintiffs Spanning the U.S. and Canada

The lawsuit lists more than 25 plaintiff labs, including:

• SC Labs (Oregon & California)
  
• CB Labs (California)
  
• Assured Testing Laboratories (Massachusetts)
  
• Pride Analytics and Consulting (California)
  
• High Sierra Analytics (California)
  
• Bluebonnet Labs (Texas)
  
• First THC Company (Texas)
  
• High North (Ontario, Canada)
  
• Pura Analytical Labs (British Columbia, Canada)
  

Others span Michigan, Oklahoma, Florida, Maine, Arizona, and New Mexico, representing a cross-section of the North American cannabis testing industry.

What Happens Next: Hearing Scheduled as Lawsuit Gains Momentum

A court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, according to the case docket. While Revvity and its legal representatives have dismissed earlier allegations as “inadequate,” the refiled suit includes extensive documentation, testimony, and regulatory citations that could provide a more compelling argument.

If successful, this case could reshape how cannabis testing equipment is marketed and regulated, with ripple effects throughout the legal marijuana supply chain. It may also serve as a wake-up call to labs, investors, and equipment suppliers to perform deeper due diligence before entering what remains a legally and scientifically complex industry.

A Landmark Case That May Reshape the Cannabis Testing Industry

The lawsuit filed against Revvity/PerkinElmer represents more than a standard commercial dispute—it reflects a broader crisis in the cannabis testing landscape. As the legal cannabis industry expands, the demand for fast, affordable, and compliant lab testing solutions has skyrocketed.

But this case underscores the dangers of overpromising technology in a highly regulated and still-evolving market. With billions of dollars and public health at stake, the outcome of this lawsuit may mark a turning point in the standards of accountability for cannabis testing companies, suppliers, and even regulators themselves.