Contaminated Cannabis Pre-Rolls Found in New Jersey Study

A recent study conducted by Safe Leaf Society revealed alarming levels of yeast, mold, and bacteria in marijuana pre-rolls purchased from licensed retailers in New Jersey. The pre-rolls were found to be less potent than advertised, raising concerns about product safety and regulatory oversight.

Testing Reveals High Microbial Levels

Secret shoppers participating in the study submitted 25 pre-rolls for testing. Results showed that seven of them exceeded the legal limit of 100,000 colony-forming-units-per-gram set by the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC). In two cases, yeast and mold levels were found to be five times higher than the permitted threshold, posing potential health risks to consumers.

Concerns Over Product Labeling and Accuracy

The study highlighted the issue of mislabeled cannabis products, likening it to pharmacies providing incorrect prescriptions or restaurants serving contaminated food. These findings call into question the reliability of product testing and the accuracy of potency claims made by dispensaries.

New Jersey’s Cannabis Testing Infrastructure

New Jersey currently has six licensed laboratories responsible for testing the expanding range of products in the state’s growing $1 billion cannabis market. However, the study’s results indicate possible inconsistencies in testing practices and regulatory compliance.

Regulatory Response and Industry-Wide Issues

Following the study, CRC Executive Director Chris Riggs stated that the commission is actively investigating the discrepancies in cannabis testing and is seeking further information about the products in question. If regulatory violations are confirmed, enforcement actions will be taken against those responsible.

Allegations of improper cannabis testing and potency inflation are not unique to New Jersey. Similar concerns have been raised in neighboring New York, as well as in other established markets such as California, Colorado, and Massachusetts. This ongoing issue underscores the need for stricter oversight and improved testing protocols to ensure consumer safety in the cannabis industry.