Data presentation begets speculation regarding lab testing
At the recent MJ Unpacked event in St. Louis, Missouri, Yasha Kahn of MCR Labs presented data that has since become a hot-button topic in the cannabis industry.
While his presentation primarily focused on THC inflation—an issue reported on across many markets—the findings regarding Aspergillus testing failure rates in Missouri almost instantly sparked significant debate and speculation within the state’s cannabis industry and beyond.
A Look at the Data
Cannabis is unique among agricultural products in the breadth of its testing requirements. “Unlike corn or hops, cannabis flower is tested for cannabinoids, terpenes, pesticides, heavy metals, microbiological contaminants, mycotoxins, water activity—a lot,” Kahn explained.
Through Freedom of Information Act requests, Khan gathered data from 21 different states, pertaining to cannabis products tested in legal markets.
In Missouri, Kahn identified striking data in lab testing outcomes, leading to a plethora of questions.
One lab, referred to as “Lab D,” handles 82% of the state’s flower testing and reported a failure rate for Aspergillus—a mold that poses significant health risks— roughly 8 times lower than the national average.
“If comparing Missouri to all states’ averages, Missouri has a much lower failure rate, around four times lower than the national average,” Kahn noted.
Khan’s data places the average Aspergillus failure rate at 3.79% nationally. When data from Lab D is included, Missouri’s failure rate drops to approximately 0.8%. Without Lab D’s results, however, the average failure rate increases to 3.3%.
Lab D’s own Aspergillus failure rate stands at just under 0.5%, 7 times below the state average in Missouri. These figures have raised questions about what factors might account for such outlier results.
This anomaly has opened the door to widespread speculation about lab practices in the state.
Response from Green Precision Analytics
Green Precision Analytics (GPA), the lab identified as Lab D in Khan’s data, issued a response through its Laboratory Director, Cullen Miller, addressing Kahn’s data and providing additional context.
“We appreciate Mr. Kahn’s commitment to safety in the cannabis industry. However, there are several observations of his data points that he neglected to provide context for.
“Missouri has a Quality Control/R&D option that some states do not have. This allows Cultivators to send in flower lots for R&D to check for failures prior to compliance testing.
“Additionally, cultivators have the ability to decontaminate flower prior to testing, which has been shown to drastically reduce failure rates.
“Medicinal Genomics (utilized by GPA) provides an AOAC-accredited method that is superior to other methods in reducing false positives.
“Green Precision Analytics, Inc. is committed to the safety of patients and consumers in the state of Missouri. GPA utilizes an AOAC accredited method for detection of Aspergillus, participates in annual blind Proficiency Testing, and is ISO 17025 certified since 2021.”
A Broader Perspective
While GPA’s response highlights operational nuances not present in the data, Kahn’s presentation underscores broader systemic issues that extend beyond Missouri.
“The data presented at MJ Unpacked last week raised serious public safety concerns. It highlighted the risk that potential microbial detections may not always be reported, which could pose significant health risks, particularly for immunocompromised consumers,” Katie Grayson
CEO at Mo Cann Testing a division of EKG Labs said.
“We’re very thankful for a third-party lab coming in and gathering this data,” Jess Cooksey, Chief Operating Officer of GCA Labs, explained in a statement. “It’s potentially very concerning. I hope it’s looked into more. At GCA Labs, ensuring patient and consumer safety is our mission statement. We have an ethical obligation to hold ourselves accountable when we test any product. We hope every lab in this space feels the same.”
Jackson Benefield, CEO of Cloud TEN Lab, reiterated that sentiment.
“The data is concerning, and if any laboratory has a financial incentive to provide results that benefit a client rather than providing objective data, it should be looked at by the State. However, the State is understaffed and not equipped to regulate the laboratory market which is much more concerning. I cannot speak for other laboratories, but Cloud TEN is rooted in compliance. We hold ourselves accountable and to a very high scientific standard. It is my hope that all other laboratories in the market do the same.”
Across the cannabis industry, the push for higher THC percentages creates financial pressures that can incentivize questionable practices. Kahn noted that this phenomenon is widespread. His findings revealed systemic pressures that incentivize questionable practices, raising concerns about the integrity of cannabis testing and its impact on consumers.