The lab was buried in paperwork. Another batch of results sat waiting for manual Metrc submission, delaying Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) yet again. Compliance officers spent hours correcting errors, while customers kept calling for updates on their reports.
For one California-based cannabis testing lab, inefficiencies weren’t just an inconvenience—they were slowing everything down and putting compliance at risk.
- Disjointed workflows between potency, microbial, and pesticide testing created inconsistencies.
- Manual Metrc submissions led to reporting delays and compliance risks.
- Lack of real-time tracking meant lab managers had little visibility into sample progress.
As sample volume grew, these inefficiencies became unmanageable.
The Breaking Point: When Compliance Became a Burden
Regulatory reporting shouldn’t take longer than the tests themselves. Yet, this lab’s compliance team spent 10+ hours per week manually preparing Metrc reports.
Every test result had to be uploaded manually, increasing the risk of transcription errors. Without automation, CoA turnaround was stuck at four days, frustrating clients waiting on results. Sample tracking was scattered across spreadsheets and disconnected systems, making audits stressful and time-consuming.
The lab couldn’t scale like this. Each compliance cycle was a ticking time bomb—one misplaced decimal, one late submission, and they risked audit failures or delayed product shipments.
They needed a system that didn’t just speed things up—it had to eliminate errors, automate compliance, and handle the growing workload effortlessly.
The Fix: Automating Workflows with Scispot
With Scispot alt-LIMS, everything changed.
- Automated Metrc Integration – Test results were instantly submitted, eliminating manual uploads and reducing compliance workload.
- Direct Instrument Integration – LCMS and GCMS instruments were connected to Scispot, automating data capture for potency and terpene testing.
- Custom SOP-Based Workflows – Standardized workflows for pesticide, potency, and microbial analysis ensured consistency across teams.
Instead of chasing errors, the team focused on testing.
The Results: Faster Reporting, Stronger Compliance, and Happier Clients
The impact was immediate.
- 50% Faster CoA Turnaround – Reporting time was cut from four days to two days.
- 40% Less Time Spent on Compliance Tasks – Automated reporting reduced Metrc prep time from 10 hours to 6 hours per week.
- 30% Increase in Sample Throughput – The lab handled peak testing demand without delays.
- 25% Improvement in Client Satisfaction – Faster, error-free CoAs boosted customer trust.
With Scispot, compliance became effortless—and the lab stayed ahead of demand without hiring more staff.
From Bottlenecks to Business Growth
Cannabis testing labs don’t just compete on accuracy. They compete on efficiency.
By eliminating manual compliance tasks, reducing reporting delays, and improving workflow consistency, this lab transformed its operations.
The real question isn’t whether cannabis labs should modernize—it’s how much time they’re losing by not automating.
Scispot LIMS improved our operations. We’ve cut our Metrc reporting time in half and significantly improved sample throughput. Their customizable workflows and integrations are exactly what our lab needed to stay ahead.
– Lab Director, Cannabis Testing Facility
Conclusion: The Future of Cannabis Testing is Automated
Compliance doesn’t have to be a bottleneck. With automation, cannabis testing labs can process more samples, deliver CoAs faster, and ensure seamless regulatory reporting—without adding more staff.
As the industry continues to grow, labs that modernize now will set the standard for efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. Those that don’t? They’ll keep drowning in spreadsheets while competitors move faster.
The question isn’t whether your lab needs automation—it’s how much longer you can afford to go without it.
