Washington Cannabis Lab Suspended for Falsifying Test Results
Regulators in the US state of Washington have suspended the license of a cannabis testing lab for falsifying testing data to provide high THC potency levels for 1,200 marijuana samples.
The suspension, which came into effect on December 10, will remain active until June 8, 2021.
Too high THC
The suspended lab, Praxis Laboratory, which is located in Centralia, Washington, is also accused of interfering with the state investigation.
In a press statement from December 11, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) said that, during its investigation, the lab owner attempted to destroy evidence of falsified data.
“Labeling cannabis with falsely high THC potency levels is a form of consumer deception and is prohibited under Washington law,” the press statement reads.
Praxis has denied the accusations.
“We are extremely disappointed in the agency’s obscene behavior,” the company said in a statement, as reported by local Washington paper the Olympian. “We would like to thank the LCB for attempting a death sentence on a small local business employing approximately 20 amazing people right before the holidays, during a recession[…] not to mention a pandemic.”
Following Praxis’ suspension, the state of Washington has 12 licensed cannabis labs. All are licensed to test for mycotoxins and water activity. But, as of December 14, most facilities aren’t approved to test for pesticides and heavy metals.
