Why Accurate THC Labelling Matters: Lessons from Colorado for Australia’s Medicinal Cannabis Sector

A recent study out of the United States has reignited global concerns about cannabis product labelling accuracy — and the consequences for patient safety. Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have found that nearly half of all cannabis flower products sold in Colorado may be overstating their THC content. 

As Australia continues to develop its own regulated medicinal cannabis framework, this finding serves as a timely reminder: our industry must prioritise transparency, rigorous testing, and labelling standards from the ground up— because when it comes to patient outcomes, precision matters. 

What the Study Found 

The peer-reviewed study, published in PLOS One in June 2025, compared THC label claims on retail cannabis products with independent laboratory testing results. Researchers found that: 

  • 70% of tested products were mislabelled 
  • Around half overstated THC content by more than 15% 
  • A significant portion of products listed THC levels above 20%, but tested below that mark 

In other words, many consumers are not getting what they think they’re getting — which has serious implications, particularly for medicinal cannabis patients who rely on accurate dosing to manage chronic conditions. 

Why This Matters for Australia 

Unlike the U.S., Australia’s medicinal cannabis industry operates under strict federal oversight, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) setting expectations for quality, safety, and compliance. But as our market matures, it is vital we learn from international missteps. 

Key risks of inaccurate labelling: 

  • Inconsistent symptom relief for patients managing pain, anxiety, insomnia, or other chronic conditions 
  • Risk of overconsumption, especially among new patients or those with sensitivity to cannabinoids 
  • Erosion of trust in prescribers, producers, and the regulatory system 
  • Widening gap between patient expectations and clinical outcomes 

Biortica Agrimed’s Commitment to Transparency and Quality 

At Biortica Agrimed, we believe patient safety starts at the source — and continues through every step of the supply chain. 

Through our cultivation partner Green Farmers and genetics division Apollo Green Australia, we ensure that our medicinal cannabis products are: 

  • Grown and processed locally under TGA and ODC oversight 
  • Rigorously tested at independent laboratories for potency, purity, and contaminants 
  • Labelled accurately in accordance with Australian legislation and best practice 

Our patients, pharmacists, and prescribing clinicians deserve clarity, not guesswork. That’s why we support mandatory third-party testing, transparent labelling, and uniform national standards for all cannabinoid medicines. 

The Broader Implications 

The findings from Colorado serve as a case study in what can go wrong when commercial pressure outpaces regulatory enforcement. As cannabis becomes more mainstream — both medically and potentially in future adult-use markets — the temptation to inflate THC levels to meet consumer demand can introduce: 

  • Market distortion, favouring potency over therapeutic value 
  • Inaccurate clinical data, if patients are consuming different doses than reported 
  • Legal and ethical liabilities for producers and clinics 

In Australia, we must resist these pressures. Medicinal cannabis is a medicine — and should be treated with the same rigour, traceability, and evidence-based standards as any other pharmaceutical product. 

Let’s Build Patient Trust Through Precision 

As global cannabis markets evolve, one lesson remains clear: precision protects patients. For Australia’s medicinal cannabis industry to earn and maintain trust, we must hold ourselves — and each other — to the highest standards of accuracy, compliance, and care. 

Biortica Agrimed remains committed to advancing a safe, sovereign, and transparent medicinal cannabis industry.