The global cannabis testing market, valued at $1.06 billion in 2025, is projected to hit $1.96 billion by 2035, delivering a 6.7% CAGR, according to DataM Intelligence.
U.S. Market Accelerates
In August 2026 ACT LAB acquired New Jersey testing firm Sriven Labs, adding standardized potency, contaminant and compliance testing capacity to its network.
Connecticut regulators faced criticism after Affinity Grow said policy shifts caused over $750,000 in recalls, underscoring the need for consistent sampling and clear lab standards, while California’s Department of Cannabis Control continues to require batch‑by‑batch testing for cannabinoids, pesticides, heavy metals, solvents, microbes, mycotoxins and moisture, driving demand for accredited labs.
Japan Regulatory Shifts
Japan’s 2026 regulations permit licensed researchers to analyze TH and approve cannabis medicines, tightening requirements for precise cannabinoid identification and safety testing, which is spurring rapid growth in TH and CB testing, pesticide screening, heavy‑metal detection and microbial validation.
Mergers Strengthen Networks
Smithers bought ACS Laboratory in August 2026, extending its cannabis testing footprint into Florida and boosting capacity for licensed growers, while Eurofins Scientific acquired High North Laboratories in May 2026 to integrate Canadian expertise under the ExperNorth brand, and Claret Capital Partners invested in ACT LAB in March 2026 to support its U.S. expansion.
Testing Innovations
Laboratories are adopting multi‑contaminant platforms that combine LC‑MS/MS, GC‑MS, HPLC, ICP‑MS and PCR to deliver faster, more accurate results for cannabinoids, pesticides, heavy metals, solvents, microbes and mycotoxins, and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation is emerging as a competitive prerequisite for reliable data.
Market Segmentation
Testing services dominate, representing roughly 50% of 2025 revenue, driven by mandatory checks on potency, contaminants and terpenes, while hemp and CB products are set for the fastest growth due to expanding oils, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and wellness items that require rigorous cannabinoid profiling and safety verification.
Key Players
Major instrument providers—Agilent Technologies, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waters Corporation, Shimadzu Corporation and Merck KGaA—supply chromatography and mass‑spectrometry solutions tailored to cannabis analysis.
Regional Outlook
North America captured 56% of the market in 2025, led by the United States where more than 40 states permit medical cannabis and 24 allow recreational use.
Europe is poised for strong growth, especially Germany, as medical‑cannabis programs expand and regulatory demands tighten for pharmaceutical‑grade testing.
Conclusion
The cannabis testing market is evolving into a comprehensive quality‑assurance ecosystem, driven by legalization, product diversification and stricter compliance mandates.
Providers with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, advanced analytical capabilities and rapid turnaround will capture the expanding opportunities through 2035.
FAQs
What was the 2025 market size? USD 1.06 billion.
What is the 2035 forecast? USD 1.96 billion with a 6.7% CAGR from 2026‑2035.
