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Lawmakers Hear Patient, Lab and Industry Evidence of Testing Failures, Debate How to Strengthen New Jersey Oversight
Summary
Witnesses told a legislative oversight committee that inconsistent lab methods, lab‑shopping and limited CRC scientific staffing have allowed mislabeled or contaminated cannabis products to reach New Jersey shelves; industry groups warned new testing rules could raise costs substantially while supporting standardized validation and public COA access.
A New Jersey Assembly committee heard competing accounts Wednesday about the accuracy of cannabis product testing and what the state should do to protect consumers.
Michael Boone, a Stockton University professor and co‑founder of the consumer watchdog Safe Leaf Society, told the Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee that a recent secret‑shop program tested 25 pre‑rolls from 17 licensed producers and found seven failed microbial testing and multiple products that did not meet the state's ±10% potency‑labeling standard. "No certificates of analysis were provided at the point of sale," Boone said, adding, "These are not technical errors. They are deliberate misrepresentations, and they are putting the public health and legitimacy of our New Jersey cannabis program at risk." He urged the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) to hire scientific staff, require COA disclosure at point of sale, create a neutral reference laboratory, and mandate unannounced audits and whistleblower procedures.
Andrea Bridal, co‑founder of Safe…
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