8:00 am - 8:50 am - Combating Lab Shopping: Safeguarding Cannabis Testing Integrity and Consumer Trust
This panel examines the issue of lab shopping in the cannabis industry—where some producers seek out labs willing to provide favorable testing results—and its serious implications for consumer safety and industry credibility. Industry experts, lab representatives, and regulators will discuss the prevalence of lab shopping, the risks it poses to product quality, and case studies illustrating its real-world impact. The panel will also explore practical solutions to establish a culture of safety, including enhanced oversight, ethical testing practices, and the role of technology in ensuring accurate and trustworthy testing outcomes.

• Moderator: Heather Krug
• Panelists: Josh Swider, Alexander Adams, Rafael Bombonato, Yasha Kahn, and Alexandra Kelly

Key Discussion Points:

• Understand lab shopping’s definition, prevalence, and drivers within the cannabis industry

• Consumer safety risks and credibility challenges posed by lab shopping

• Case studies highlighting the consequences of lab shopping and lessons learned

• Pathways to foster a safety-driven culture, which include regulatory, lab, and consumer roles in combating lab shopping and promoting transparency

9:15 am - 10:15 am - Enhancing Cannabis Testing Standards: Accreditation, Methodology, and Regulatory Reforms
This panel explores critical challenges and opportunities in cannabis testing, focusing on accreditation, standards, allowable methods, and batch size regulations. Industry experts will discuss ways to strengthen testing accuracy, ensure quality control, and improve consumer safety by addressing the variability in testing results, batch size inconsistencies, and the current proficiency testing requirements. The conversation will also tackle potential reforms such as implementing Limits of Detection (LOD) in microbial assays, refining accreditation and proficiency standards, and harmonizing sample collection processes across jurisdictions.

• Moderator: Sherman Hom
• Panelists: Heather Krug, Morgan Keefer, Maria McIntyre, Kristofer Marsh, and Rafael Bombonato

Key Discussions Points:

• Opportunities and challenges with current accreditation processes, validation vs. verification requirements, and allowable methods
  
• Impact of varying batch size requirements and sample collection practices on testing consistency and reliability
  
• Exploring the feasibility of adopting LOD-based detection standards for microbial assays
  
• Addressing issues with Proficiency Testing (PT) samples and requirements to better reflect real-world testing conditions
  
• Potential reforms in lab accreditation, action levels, and batch size regulations for improved standardization
  

10:15 am - 10:30 am - Morning Break

10:30 am - 11:30 am - Balancing Safety and Sustainability: Rethinking Cannabis Regulations for Pest Management and Remediation
This panel addresses the impact of regulatory challenges on cannabis growers' pest management practices, exploring how unclear regulations often lead to the overuse of chemical solutions that may compromise product quality and safety. Through case studies and expert insights, panelists will examine the unintended consequences of current remediation policies and explore safer, more sustainable alternatives such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, biological fungicides, and plant genetics. Attendees will gain an understanding of how evolving regulations can support innovation in pest resistance and reduce reliance on chemical remediation.

• Moderator: Jini Glaros
• Panelists: Kyle Baker, Kimberly Gwinn, Kyle Boyar, and Andrew Guy

Key Discussion Points:

• Regulatory impacts on pest management and remediation choices, including unintended consequences on product safety and quality
  
• Case studies illustrating the negative effects of chemical fungicides and remediation methods
  
• IPM programs and plant genetics as proactive approaches to pest resistance and reduced need for remediation
  
• Pathways for regulatory evolution to encourage safer pest control methods and promote consumer education on product safety