Cannabis brands are legally required to include THC levels on product labels sold in dispensaries; along with test results regarding the presence of heavy metals, toxins and pesticides. But inaccurate test results are more common than one might think.
Lab shopping, a practice that involves cannabis brands selecting labs that yield higher THC results, along with data surrounding pesticides and mold contents, has been looming over the cannabis industry for years.
In 2022, the Arizona Department of Health and Human Services (AZDHS) fined OnPoint, a cannabis testing laboratory based in Snowflake, Arizona $468,000 for inaccurate test results. Upon inspection, officials discovered that because the lab’s machines were not correctly calibrated, OnPoint could not properly screen for pesticides, herbicides, solvents, heavy metals, E.coli and salmonella.
And in 2025, two other laboratories were under the scrutiny of AZDHS. Kaycha Labs was cited for over a dozen deficiencies, that of which involved THC levels, and pesticides and microbials. Full Spectrum Labs was fined $120,000 due to inaccurate testing procedures, and issues involving nepotism.
A 2023 study published by the University of Northern Colorado’s School of Biological Sciences, which included 23 samples from 10 state-licensed dispensaries across Colorado, found deep discrepancies in lab results. Data showed that 70% of samples were over 15% lower than what was listed on THC labels; with three samples containing 50% less THC than what was shown on the label.
In a dispensary setting, marijuana with high THC levels tends to get a higher price tag. Customers are at the liberty of trusting test results to be accurate. It’s an unfortunate conundrum, one that involves the consumer to take action. Dispensaries must provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA) that provides documentation of a product’s potency, terpene profile, presence of toxins and heavy metals and overall safety.
Cannabis products sold in Arizona must also contain a QR code that provides test results, but dispensaries can also provide COA’s to customers that are curious. A batch code should also be present on each product. Although not ideal, it seems that the current solution is independent research. Use the COA to see where the lab was tested. AZDHS also provides the public with data regarding inspections of licensed cannabis testing laboratories. Consume responsibly and observantly.