Blooming Buds Festival – Be there!
April 4, 2025
Pennsylvania House Approves Bill To Legalize Marijuana Sales Through State-Owned Stores
May 9, 2025This Article was first published in Headly.com by Dan Ulloa. Dan is the Editor and Publisher of Heady NJ.
Office of Compliance & Investigations and Cannabis Lab Testing
“I believe it’s my first time at the big show. Honored to be here,” Director of the Office of Compliance & Investigations Paul Urbish said to chuckles about the meeting.
He explained that they oversee the cannabis license application process, including investigating owners and oversight of the market.
Urbish said they reviewed 557 complaints last year. They have received 129 so far this year.
“When you shoot emails into the box trying to get things taken care of, please understand, we are reviewing and investigating everything that comes in,” he said.
Urbish said they have 10 Investigators.
“We’re only allowing qualified individuals and entities to operate in this industry,” he declared.
Urbish noted they review Financial Service Agreements (FSAs) and Management Service Agreements (MSAs), which can be tricky.
He explained their role in monitoring products, including labels and packaging. Urbish said that a lot of products break the rules.
“We want diverse products. We want a competitive market..,” he said.
“Not complying with those regulations is only holding up patients and consumers from getting those new products,” Urbish argued.
Cannabis Testing
“We are aware of the Secret Shopper program,” he noted.
Urbish explained the advocacy group Safe Leaf tested products and found some products had microbial bugs and inflated THC labels.
“As a Commission, we have requested additional information from the advocacy group in order to assist in our investigation. Our request was denied by Safe Leaf,” he said.
“We are heading our own investigation in coordination with the Department of Health State Lab looking into the testing practices of all our laboratories and ensuring their compliance and accuracy of the labels…” Urbish added.
Public Comment on Cannabis Lab Testing
Kristen Gooede of Trichome Analytical cannabis testing lab spoke during the public comment period. She liked their updated cannabis lab testing rules.
Gooede said mold and microbe testing issues are widespread. She argued data transparency would promote accountability.
“Mandate training for all lab workers and implement an omni-recording system,” she argued.
Gooede thought they needed more qualified people auditing labs. She also liked the idea of surprise inspections to detect fraud.
“Establish clear parameters for quality assurance, quality control, calibration, and detection,” Gooede added.
She thought they could do their own secret shopping lab tests and set up a reference lab.
“We act the Commission to act swiftly to implement these recommendations. The integrity of our market and our well-being as consumers and patients depends on it,” Gooede said to applause.
At the end of the public comment period, NJCRC Chair Dianna Houenou told those who spoke and had questions to be patient with them.
This Article was first published in Headly.com by Dan Ulloa. Dan is the Editor and Publisher of Heady NJ.
Office of Compliance & Investigations and Cannabis Lab Testing
“I believe it’s my first time at the big show. Honored to be here,” Director of the Office of Compliance & Investigations Paul Urbish said to chuckles about the meeting.
He explained that they oversee the cannabis license application process, including investigating owners and oversight of the market.
Urbish said they reviewed 557 complaints last year. They have received 129 so far this year.
“When you shoot emails into the box trying to get things taken care of, please understand, we are reviewing and investigating everything that comes in,” he said.
Urbish said they have 10 Investigators.
“We’re only allowing qualified individuals and entities to operate in this industry,” he declared.Urbish noted they review Financial Service Agreements (FSAs) and Management Service Agreements (MSAs), which can be tricky.
He explained their role in monitoring products, including labels and packaging. Urbish said that a lot of products break the rules.
“We want diverse products. We want a competitive market..,” he said.
“Not complying with those regulations is only holding up patients and consumers from getting those new products,” Urbish argued.
Cannabis Testing
“We are aware of the Secret Shopper program,” he noted.
Urbish explained the advocacy group Safe Leaf tested products and found some products had microbial bugs and inflated THC labels.
“As a Commission, we have requested additional information from the advocacy group in order to assist in our investigation. Our request was denied by Safe Leaf,” he said.
“We are heading our own investigation in coordination with the Department of Health State Lab looking into the testing practices of all our laboratories and ensuring their compliance and accuracy of the labels…” Urbish added.
Public Comment on Cannabis Lab Testing
Kristen Gooede of Trichome Analytical cannabis testing lab spoke during the public comment period. She liked their updated cannabis lab testing rules.
Gooede said mold and microbe testing issues are widespread. She argued data transparency would promote accountability.
“Mandate training for all lab workers and implement an omni-recording system,” she argued.
Gooede thought they needed more qualified people auditing labs. She also liked the idea of surprise inspections to detect fraud.
“Establish clear parameters for quality assurance, quality control, calibration, and detection,” Gooede added.
She thought they could do their own secret shopping lab tests and set up a reference lab.
“We act the Commission to act swiftly to implement these recommendations. The integrity of our market and our well-being as consumers and patients depends on it,” Gooede said to applause.
At the end of the public comment period, NJCRC Chair Dianna Houenou told those who spoke and had questions to be patient with them.
