DeKalb County board warns state lab won’t test THC edibles; private lab costs strain juvenile cases

The DeKalb County Community Corrections Board discussed a gap in forensic testing that officials say is limiting responses to youth possession cases and could strain local budgets.

Speaker 6 told the board the state laboratory “will not test THC products that are contained in babes or gummies, and they will test leaf based marijuana,” and that the program has located a private lab that can run the analyses. Speaker 6 said the minimum evidentiary test from a private lab “is about $270,” a quantitative test “about $400,” and that tests that require staff testimony can cost “thousands,” amounts Speaker 6 said are not budgeted.

Board members and staff described two problems: the higher per-sample price at private labs and the time needed to complete tests. Speaker 6 warned that juvenile case timelines can be short, and delays or unaffordable tests could leave cases without confirmatory results.

Speaker 4 said they have discussed the issue with Marcus Wagner and others who might help find funding; Speaker 4 told the board the prosecutor’s office understands the problem and has some immediate funds that could cover part of the need while the board pursues grants or other sources. Speaker 3 also said the board could look for grant funding but cautioned that federal and state grant cycles and local budgets make timing difficult.

Board members asked staff to research options and said they would follow up. No formal allocation of county funds for private testing was recorded during the meeting; speakers described identifying potential funding sources and pursuing quick solutions if prosecutor dollars are unavailable.

Next steps noted in the meeting: staff will pursue grant opportunities and report back, and the board and staff will continue discussions with the prosecutor’s office and other potential funders.