Microbial Testing

At the Sun Grown Cannabis Alliance (SGCA), we support science-based safety standards — but current microbial testing regulations for adult-use cannabis in Massachusetts create unnecessary barriers for outdoor cultivators.

Why It Matters

Outdoor-grown cannabis naturally interacts with the environment. While some microbes can pose health risks, others are beneficial or harmless, especially when growers use sustainable techniques like living soil and indigenous microorganisms. Unfortunately, current testing protocols treat all microbial presence as dangerous, even when there’s no actual risk to consumers.

What Needs to Change

Remove Testing for Yeast, Mold, and Total Viable Bacteria (CFU/g): These naturally occurring organisms are not reliable indicators of product safety and often force unnecessary remediation.
Focus on Actual Risks: We support targeted testing for harmful pathogens such as E. coli, salmonella, and bile-tolerant gram-negative bacteria — contaminants that reflect improper growing or handling practices.
Avoid Counterproductive Remediation: Overly strict microbial limits push small farms toward costly ozone or irradiation treatments, which compromise the integrity of the flower and undermine organic growing methods.

Our Stance

We advocate for:

Science-driven, risk-based testing standards
Preservation of natural cannabis quality
Support for small farms and regenerative practices

It’s time to shift regulations away from a one-size-fits-all model and toward policies that protect both consumer health and cultivator sustainability.

For more information contact:
Matthew Gregg: matthew3g@gmail.com,
Dawn Duncan: dduncan7@gmail.com,
Matt Allen: matt@necraftcultivators.com