Cannabis regulator building reference lab, seeks stronger suspension rules as licensing explodes

Executive Director Brian Hanna and Policy Assistant Derek Sova told the House Appropriations subcommittee on Licensing and Regulatory Affairs that the Cannabis Regulatory Agency is building an in‑house reference laboratory, tightening rules on summary suspensions and making other rule changes to support small businesses as marijuana license counts and complaints have surged.

Hanna said the CRA now regulates more than 4,000 business licenses after exponential growth since 2021 and that FY 2025 budget increases — including nine added FTEs — responded to both industry expansion and audit recommendations from the Attorney General’s office to speed disciplinary and inspection processes. "The solution in this space and you talk to other cannabis regulatory programs is you need a reference laboratory period you need to have that," Hanna told the…