CCC Suspends Assured Testing Over Marijuana Lab Fraud

30 June 2025

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) has suspended the license of Assured Testing Laboratories, a Tyngsborough-based cannabis testing lab, citing systemic failures to accurately report contamination results. The summary suspension, effective July 4, 2025, follows an investigation that revealed falsified or omitted Total Yeast and Mold test data for thousands of marijuana samples.

Assured Testing was responsible for about 25% of cannabis testing across the state between April 2024 and April 2025. But its unusually low failure rate of just 0.05%, compared to a statewide average of 4.5% (90x), prompted a regulatory probe. The CCC uncovered a pattern of data manipulation, including more than 500 cases of unreported contamination and thousands of instances where microbial presence was falsely recorded as “non-detect.”

Massachusetts law requires that all test failures be reported within 72 hours to the CCC. The lab instead reran samples and selectively reported favorable results—a practice that jeopardizes public health and undermines industry integrity.

The CCC’s order also suspended all agent registrations tied to the lab and mandates that remaining cannabis samples either be destroyed or returned to their origin dispensaries. The lab has 21 days to request a hearing but must cease operations immediately.

While no recalls have yet been issued, the incident highlights the critical role of independent testing laboratories in ensuring cannabis product safety. The CCC has pledged to continue auditing other licensees and verifying lab practices under its product safety task force.

The fallout extends beyond the lab itself—retailers, cultivators, and consumers across Massachusetts are now forced to reevaluate their confidence in lab certifications. Industry observers expect new regulations, compliance protocols, and possibly litigation to follow.