Dont ComplyAccording to ProPublica and The Denver Gazette, a Colorado state audit released Oct. 19, 2026, found the Marijuana Enforcement Division's oversight may have put consumers at risk of contaminated products. The audit reportedly found nearly 75% of marijuana processed for sale from 2023 through 2025 avoided pesticide testing under a reduced-testing program, that inspection schedules were not met, and that products under advisory stayed on shelves more than seven months on average. Auditors also criticized self-sampling by businesses and reliance on voluntary recalls. They did not identify evidence of widespread health and safety issues. The division said the audit found no support for such claims, agreed there were areas for improvement and said it would assess testing exemptions. Deputy senior director Kyle Lambert told legislators that ending self-sampling was not proposed this year.
Why it matters
Colorado was the first state with retail recreational marijuana sales, and its regulator's performance serves as a model for other states. The findings bear on whether testing and advisory systems protect consumers.
Researched with AI assistance from the sources listed here and reviewed under our methodology.