Medical marijuana became legal at the Missouri state level in November 2018. Since then, state officials have been busy creating an infrastructure that can support the safe and legal sale of medical marijuana. Now, with proper licensing laws and regulatory structure established the state is eager to begin the testing of cannabis to make it available for sale. Currently, with one testing site up and running, EKG Labs, the state anticipates beginning sales at 192 licensed dispensaries by the end of the year.
What is Involved in Setting up a Cannabis Testing Lab?
Setting up a cannabis testing lab takes time. Since laws largely vary from state to state, labs must be aware of the specific state and local laws. Labs must also meet all certifications required to begin testing including acquiring the ISO/IEC cannabis quality assurance accreditation. Accreditation from the ISO/IEC ensures a facility can properly demonstrate products are safe for consumption and free from harmful levels of contaminants. This process typically requires working with an outside accrediting agency, requiring approval by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANSI).
Since the legal sale of marijuana is still fairly new, experts in testing are hard to come by. But as the number of testing facilities grows, it’s important for them to never overlook the value of a quality cannabis testing expert. Their attention to detail and prior experience can be the difference between a legal suit and a successful launch.
How do you Test Hemp and Cannabis for Pesticide Residue?
The most common testing on hemp and cannabis for pesticide residue includes processes established in food safety testing: Liquid chromatography (LC) and Gas Chromatography (GC) 3. These processes essentially separate the components of either a liquid or gas to examine whether harmful substances are present. In liquid chromatography testing, you examine a liquid to determine the interactions between the individual molecules between stationary and mobile phases. In gas chromatography you detect a gas for purity, examining the mass and/or boiling point.
What is a Pesticide Testing?
Pesticide testing similarly follows gas/liquid chromatography techniques. In pesticide testing, one will examine either the mass or concentrate to understand whether specific pesticides are present. Common testing instruments include high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer detectors. These are often referred to as ‘triple quads’ and are amongst the leading tests available today.
What is Residue Testing?
Residue testing usually involves a combination of liquid chromatography and gas chromatography. Since there is no established standard in place, conducting both gas and liquid chromatography tests can confirm results and safeguard from testing errors.
What is Toxic Pesticide Residue on Hemp or Cannabis?
During the cultivation phase, hemp and cannabis are incredibly susceptible to absorbing harmful chemical properties like pesticides. These pesticides may result from runoff from other farms or may even carry through the air. As the plants grow, residue from its initial exposure may still be present and even find its way into the end product meant for consumption.
Even when using approved pesticides residue can still occur in hemp and cannabis. This can occur when chemicals are improperly mixed, the wrong levels are used, or they aren’t applied in a timely manner. As such, proper testing is required for pesticide residue even in the most careful of cultivation environments. But since cannabis isn’t legal at the federal level, standards largely vary, leaving in house testing sites to create their own.
What Standards does Chem Service Supply for Hemp and Cannabis Testing?
Chem Service is an expert in setting the standard for hemp and cannabis testing. As a worldwide supplier of certified reference materials / environmental and analytical standards in small quantities, we can work with you to get started testing cannabis and hemp. Contact Chem Service for your Cannabis Testing needs!
Source:
- “Cannabis Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program.” ANAB, ANSI National Accreditation Board, 2020, anab.ansi.org/laboratory-accreditation/cannabis-testing.
- Schmidt, Elena. “Pesticide Testing: Why and What to Test For.” ACS Lab Cannabis, American Clinical Solutions, LLC, 7 Jan. 2020, acslabcannabis.com/blog/education/pesticide-testing-why-and-what-to-test-for/.
- Kahler, Ty, and Justin Steimling. “Liquid Chromatography’s Complementary Role to Gas Chromatography in Cannabis Testing.” Chromatography Online, Solutions for Separation Scientists, 1 June 2018, www.chromatographyonline.com/view/liquid-chromatography-s-complementary-role-gas-chromatography-cannabis-testing.
- Cheriyedath, Susha. “Liquid Chromatography versus Gas Chromatography.” News Medical Life Sciences, AZoNetwork, 26 Feb. 2019, www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/Liquid-Chromatography-versus-Gas-Chromatography.aspx.
- Driscoll, Jaclyn. “Missouri Begins Testing Medical Marijuana, Expected To Hit Dispensary Shelves Soon.” St. Louis Public Radio, St. Louis Public Radio, 12 Oct. 2020, news.stlpublicradio.org/health-science-environment/2020-10-12/missouri-begins-testing-medical-marijuana-expected-to-hit-dispensary-shelves-soon.
