Michigan House Rules Committee Approves Bill to Create State-Run Marijuana Reference Lab

A bipartisan Maine bill that would establish a state-operated marijuana reference laboratory is now headed to the full House of Representatives after receiving approval today from the House Rules Committee. House Bill 4501, originally introduced in May 2025 by Representatives Mike Mueller (R) and Tyrone Carter (D), previously cleared the House Regulatory Reform Committee in November with a unanimous 14 to 0 vote. The measure would amend the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act to expand the responsibilities of the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency by authorizing it to establish and operate a dedicated marijuana reference laboratory.

Under the proposal, the Cannabis Regulatory Agency would use the lab to support investigations, research, and the development of standardized testing methods for marijuana and marijuana products sold throughout the state. The intent is to create consistent, science-based benchmarks that can be used to verify the accuracy and reliability of private testing results.

The bill maintains the agency’s existing authority over licensing, compliance, and enforcement, while reinforcing its responsibility to investigate licensees and report annually to the governor on licensing data, demographics, spending, and enforcement actions. To prevent conflicts of interest, the legislation specifies that anyone involved in operating or advising a licensed marijuana business would be barred from working for or consulting with the agency.

Supporters argue that a state-run reference lab would strengthen oversight of Michigan’s regulated marijuana market at a time when testing discrepancies among private laboratories have drawn increased attention from regulators and industry participants alike.