Washington State Suspends True Northwest Lab’s Quality Assurance Certification

WASHINGTON STATE — State regulators announced a suspension on the quality-assurance certification of the Olympia-based testing lab, True Northwest, after multiple concerns arose regarding the lab’s testing reliability and operational procedures.

In an official statement, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) mentioned, “The lab did not provide an acceptable corrective action report following a deficiency report.” The suspension came after the discovery of “multiple serious deficiencies during a laboratory assessment and proficiency test.”

The ramifications for True Northwest are significant. The lab’s certification has been frozen for a 180-day period, during which the LCB will pursue the revocation of its certification. This move is a response to allegations that the lab issued erroneous test results to license holders and the general public.

This investigation into True Northwest was initiated by the LCB in September 2023, following documentation submitted by the lab itself. The paperwork hinted at potential discrepancies in the lab’s quality assurance and control test results. Not long after, in the same month, a third-party lab-certification monitor asserted that True Northwest was noncompliant with certain standards.

Further complications arose in October when the LCB was alerted to the absence of a lab director on the premises of True Northwest, a blatant breach of certification prerequisites. A subsequent audit of the lab illuminated issues that posed considerable public safety concerns. Consequently, True Northwest was put on administrative hold on October 11. The situation reached a climax when the LCB board sanctioned an emergency suspension on October 25.

True Northwest’s situation is not unique. Regulatory bodies overseeing cannabis in other states have similarly penalized testing labs. Recent actions have been recorded against labs in Florida, Michigan, and Nevada, emphasizing the industry’s focus on maintaining rigorous quality and safety standards.