Testing Labs Warn Against Larger Batch Sizes and Reduced Testing in H.167

Leaders of the Massachusetts Cannabis Laboratory Consortium told the committee that H.167 would undercut public safety by increasing batch sizes and permitting reduced testing exemptions for some producers. Jonathan Ferguson, CEO of Green Valley Analytics and representing licensed labs, said the current 15‑pound lot‑size standard should remain because cannabis flower is chemically heterogeneous and small samples can miss contaminants. He told lawmakers: “We urge the legislature to maintain the 15 pound lot size, remove or reject the reduced testing allowance provisions entirely.” Labs warned of precedent elsewhere. Ferguson cited Michigan’s 2021 recall (estimated at roughly $230 million worth of product) and ongoing recalls in other early markets after reduced testing allowances led to contaminated product reaching consumers. He said larger allowed lot sizes combined with smaller samples produce statistically weak results and give a false sense of security. Why it matters: Testing standards determine whether contaminated or falsified products reach the market. Labs argued that reduced oversight would erode consumer trust, could drive product recalls, and would harm small producers who lose larger harvests from a single failed lot. The consortium urged maintaining current sampling thresholds and strengthening method standardization across labs. Ending: Lab representatives asked the committee to reject language in H.167 that would increase batch limits or create reduced‑testing exemptions and to work with the lab community on standardized methods and improved oversight.