News Summary
Michigan regulators have ordered the immediate closure of Viridis, a prominent marijuana testing laboratory, due to multiple compliance violations. The Cannabis Regulatory Agency announced that Viridis’ Lansing operation is permanently closed, and the Bay City facility must cease operations by September 28, 2025. The lab’s owners are now barred from any future involvement in the cannabis industry, highlighting serious concerns over public trust and testing integrity within Michigan’s regulated cannabis market.
Bay City, Michigan
Michigan regulators have ordered the immediate closure of Viridis, a leading marijuana testing laboratory with locations in Bay City and Lansing, following numerous compliance violations. This decision by the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) marks the culmination of a protracted legal battle, including multiple complaints and civil lawsuits against the lab.
According to the CRA, Viridis’ Lansing operation has been designated as “permanently closed” on platforms such as Google. The Bay City facility is mandated to cease operations by September 28, 2025. The lab’s majority owners—Todd Welch, Gregoire Michaud, and Michele Glinn—are permanently barred from any future participation in the cannabis industry. These individuals previously held positions within the Michigan State Police Forensic Science Division.
Background of Compliance Issues
The CRA initiated a review of Viridis’ testing practices in December 2020 due to allegations of the lab intentionally inflating THC potency levels. Following this review, in November 2021, the agency recalled about 64,000 pounds of marijuana tested by Viridis, declaring the results unreliable. The estimated value of this recalled product was nearly $292 million, although a subsequent ruling by a Court of Claims judge later reversed some of this recall.
Throughout the investigation, the CRA received a plethora of formal complaints against Viridis and began a series of civil lawsuits regarding its operational methods. In its defense, Viridis claimed that it was being unfairly targeted by regulatory authorities due to its dominance in the testing market.
Impact on the Cannabis Market
The CRA’s Director, Brian Hanna, noted that Viridis’ noncompliance significantly undermined public trust in Michigan’s regulated cannabis system. He stated that their actions placed considerable pressures on competing laboratories operating under the same regulatory framework. The closures of Viridis and similar entities, such as PSI Labs, which shut down in early 2024, highlight growing concerns of unfair competition in the cannabis testing sector. PSI Labs cited an inability to compete against facilities like Viridis that prioritize favorable testing results over scientific accuracy.
The emergence of a practice known as lab shopping in the cannabis market poses further challenges. This trend involves producers selecting testing labs based on desired outcomes rather than adhering to scientific integrity, raising concerns about safety and reliability in the industry.
Future Developments
In response to the current regulatory challenges and public trust issues, the CRA is in the process of developing a state-run testing laboratory aimed at establishing stronger testing standards for the cannabis industry. Plans are underway for the lab to be operational by spring 2026. The CRA’s lab director, Claire Patterson, underscored the importance of maintaining scientific integrity as a core element for the sustainable future of the cannabis sector in Michigan.
The closure of Viridis serves as a significant turning point in Michigan’s regulatory approach to marijuana testing and reflects ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and quality of cannabis products available to consumers.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- MLive News
- Wikipedia: Cannabis in Michigan
- Detroit Free Press
- Google Search: Michigan cannabis lab Viridis closure
- The Detroit News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cannabis
- WXYZ Detroit
- Google News: Viridis marijuana lab closure
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
