New York cannabis regulators are trying to punish a commercial testing lab that has been suddenly closed in an investigation into pesticide contamination and other so-called “serious failures.”
Lexachrom Labs, based on Long Island, closed on June 1 and later surrendered the license in a state audit, which later led to one of the largest product recalls in the market, as mjbizdaily Report.
On Wednesday, the state administration office said it would seek a fine of “more than $2 million” and ban the three-year fine for violations of Luxarom, which said it threatened public safety.
According to the New York Times, the lab tested marijuana sold by major brands including Styize.
This is by far the biggest move to date in New York’s allegedly unethical marijuana testing labs, with total sales recently surpassing $1 billion so far this year, and sales could reach $2 billion in 2025.
The strongest move against alleged marijuana testing lab wrongdoing
Regulators across the country are cracking down on testing labs after widespread complaints about THC’s effectiveness for inflation and data manipulation, allegedly allowing products contaminated with pesticides or mold to be sold to the public.
Felicia AB Reid, acting executive director of OCM, said in a statement that the agency “has no effect in such violations.”
“New Yorkers expect transparency in the marijuana they buy, and OCM is doing the work to investigate malfeasance of licensees,” she said.
“When a lab fails to comply with regulatory safety and reporting standards, it violates public trust and puts New Yorkers’ health at risk.”
The New York Times arrived by phone and Lexachrom’s record owner Alex Woodmass suddenly hung up.
Labs are the largest center for cannabis recalls in the market
In official documents, OCM accused Lexachrom of forging results, a practice known as “dry cards” in the industry.
According to OCM, the agency is seeking:
- The industry’s three-year-old Lexachrom is prohibited.
- Fines range from $890,000 to over $2 million.
- “Formal written closure plan to solve future problems”.
OCM ordered the lab to be temporarily closed on May 14, citing six alleged violations related to data retention, laboratory procedures and facility safety.
The agency said the lab failed to share the authenticity certificate and the lab principal and OCM officials avoided the meeting.
OCM then recalled 12 marijuana flowers that Lexachrom tested in June and July.
