Judge finds marijuana testing facilities run by ex-cops violated testing results

Viridis Laboratories has faced ongoing allegations of exaggerating THC levels while minimizing the potential risks associated with cannabis.

A Michigan judge has found that Viridis Labs cannabis testing facilities run by ex-cops inflated and exxagerated THC levels violating testing results and misleading the public.

An administrative law judge has found that a cannabis testing company launched by three former Michigan State Police cops repeatedly violated state rules by using unapproved testing methods and failing to properly document laboratory procedures, despite warnings from regulators.

The decision marks the latest development in a years-long conflict between the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) and Viridis Laboratories, which operates facilities in Lansing and Bay City and tests more marijuana than any other lab in Michigan.

In just one instance technicians incorrectly identified visible mold on a sample and approved it, referring to it as “mite poop,”…

The laboratories were founded in 2018 by Greg Michaud, the former director of the Michigan State Police forensic division, Todd Welch, a retired forensic scientist from MSP, and Dr. Michele Glinn, a former toxicologist for MSP. Nevertheless, shortly after they began to establish a presence in the industry, state regulators expressed concerns regarding potentially inflated THC levels and the failure to follow essential scientific protocols.

Stories of inflated THC levels have become so widespread that some consumers boycott cannabis products tested by Viridis, which critics say is often reporting suspiciously high potency.

The judge determined that Viridis breached several administrative regulations by straying from established testing protocols, neglecting to validate modifications to those protocols, and failing to keep sufficient records for microbial testing.

In one instance, technicians incorrectly identified visible mold on a sample and approved it, referring to it as “mite poop,” based on testimony presented during the hearing. Additionally, inspectors found that technicians were employing lower magnification levels than necessary when screening flower for foreign matter.

The significant regulatory gap came to light in late 2021 when Michigan enacted its largest cannabis recall to date, compelling over 400 dispensaries to remove an estimated $229 million worth of flower and edibles from their shelves after CRA investigators deemed Viridis’s test results untrustworthy. Numerous dispensaries expressed that the recall jeopardized their financial viability, creating a ripple effect that affected the entire cannabis supply chain throughout the state.

Viridis countered by initiating legal action against the state, alleging bias and regulatory overreach. The company’s legal team contended that the CRA unjustly targeted the labs and sought to undermine the business by disregarding industry standards and enlisting competitors in the inquiry.

The judge determined that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate these assertions. Although a CRA scientist had voiced personal reservations regarding the laboratory’s scientific methods, the ruling indicated that Viridis did not demonstrate any direct connection between the alleged bias and the actions of the agency. Furthermore, the tribunal acknowledged that CRA’s inspections were initiated by specific warning signs, including notably elevated THC levels, reports of moldy products being passed, and inconsistencies in microbial testing results.

Viridis’s Lansing lab demonstrated a remarkable 89% reduction in reported Aspergillus failures compared to other labs in the state, highlighting significant concerns regarding their reliability.

Despite the agency’s conclusions and the considerable backlash from the cannabis sector, Viridis continues to hold a substantial position in the market.

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