Michigan Moves to Create State Cannabis Testing Lab Amid Safety Concerns

Michigan lawmakers are considering legislation that would create a state-run cannabis reference laboratory to standardize testing across the industry's rapidly growing market. Rep. Mike Mueller (R-Linden) presented the proposal to the House Rules Committee on Thursday.

The reference lab "will allow us to go in and audit the test results of the private labs," Mueller told committee members, according to reporting from the Michigan Advance.

The move comes as Michigan's cannabis market—which generated over $3 billion in sales last year—faces mounting questions about testing consistency. Currently, licensed cannabis products must pass through private third-party laboratories before reaching dispensary shelves. But without a centralized reference point, regulators have struggled to verify whether different labs apply the same standards.

The Testing Problem

Michigan isn't alone in grappling with cannabis testing reliability. States from California to Massachusetts have uncovered instances where labs reported inflated THC levels or failed to catch contaminants. The issue has real consequences: inconsistent testing can mean products reach consumers with inaccurate potency labels or undetected pesticides.

A state reference lab would function differently than the private facilities currently operating. Rather than testing every product, it would analyze samples that have already been tested elsewhere—essentially checking the checkers. This model has precedent in other regulated industries, from pharmaceuticals to food safety.

Mueller's bill would task the Cannabis Regulatory Agency with establishing and operating the facility. The legislation doesn't specify a location or budget, details that would likely emerge during committee discussions.

What Michigan's Industry Says

The proposal arrives at a pivotal moment for Michigan's cannabis sector. The state now hosts over 1,500 active marijuana business licenses, spanning cultivation operations, processing facilities, and retail stores. That expansion has brought jobs and tax revenue—but also regulatory growing pains.

Some industry observers have called for tighter oversight of testing labs, particularly after other states discovered problems. Yet the proposal could face pushback from private testing facilities concerned about increased scrutiny or potential competition from a state-run operation.

The reference lab would likely need significant startup funding for equipment and staff. Modern cannabis testing requires sophisticated technology to detect dozens of potential contaminants, from heavy metals to mycotoxins, alongside potency analysis.

What Happens Next

The House Rules Committee will determine whether the bill advances to the full chamber for consideration. Mueller hasn't yet disclosed whether he has bipartisan support, though cannabis regulation has occasionally united lawmakers across party lines in Michigan.

If approved, the reference lab could take months or even years to become operational. The state would need to secure facilities, purchase equipment, hire qualified lab technicians, and develop testing protocols—all while the existing private lab system continues operating.

The legislation represents Michigan's latest effort to mature its cannabis regulatory framework five years after voters approved recreational marijuana. Other recent proposals have addressed banking access, social equity licensing, and product packaging requirements.

For now, the bill sits in committee while lawmakers weigh the trade-offs between regulatory oversight and industry burden. The outcome could influence how other states approach cannabis testing standardization as the national market continues expanding.

This article is based on original reporting by www.marijuanamoment.net.