A recent secret shopper study conducted by Safe Leaf Society has raised concerns about product safety and labeling accuracy in New Jersey’s regulated market. The study found that 28% of pre-rolls tested exceeded microbial limits set by the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission, with seven out of 25 products failing across five separate cultivation licenses.
In addition, potency testing revealed significant discrepancies between labeled and actual THC content. One pre-roll, labeled at 26.28% THC, tested at just 13.27%—nearly 50% lower than advertised. Other products showed variations between 17.13% and 42.61% of what was listed on their labels.
Safe Leaf Society co-founders Andrea Raible and Michael Boone emphasized that the purpose of the study is not to stir controversy but to push for higher industry standards.
“If we don’t hold cannabis to the same standards as food and medicine, we will erode consumer trust. We must have rigorous testing that provides science-backed information. These conditions are non-negotiable.” — Michael Boone, Safe Leaf Society
Additional concerns highlighted in the study included mislabeling issues, such as a pre-roll advertised as “terpene-infused” that was actually infused with distillate. Another product lacked a business ID on its packaging, and none of the tested products had Certificates of Analysis (COAs) readily available to consumers.
As New Jersey’s industry continues to grow, Safe Leaf Society urges regulators, businesses, and consumers to prioritize transparency and product integrity.
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