California develops standardized cannabis tests

To address issues related to cannabis testing and laboratory inconsistencies, California has developed standardized cannabis testing. This standardized process is being implemented in the state’s 41 active cannabis testing facilities. Every finger is pointing to the fact that California regulators are responsible for this new advance. They will ensure that standardized testing clears up any discrepancies between marijuana laboratories.

What happened

For some time now, industry officials across the industry have been claiming that some cannabis companies are making the cut. They believe that some processors, manufacturers, distributors, and / or breeders are looking for laboratories that will deliver the results they want in terms of impurities and THC potency.

Many critics also believe that the lack of a general standard is part of the factors plaguing the cannabis testing industry. Without adequate standards, consumer confidence in cannabis products remains at risk, making competition difficult for multiple laboratories.

The new initiative

The initiative is formed under the new state law known as Senate Bill 544. This law was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2021. It demands that the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) establish strict guidelines and criteria for testing dozens of cannabis compounds, residual solvents, pesticides and microbiological contaminants.

The DCC has been tasked with establishing a standardized cannabis testing methodology and operational strategies that laboratories across the state will use by January 1, 2023. According to longtime industry entrepreneur and advocate Jozee Roberto, the initiative will create the consistency the industry needs right now.

D’Angelo Roberto, Jozee Roberto’s husband and a prominent figure in the cannabis industry, also made some interesting statements. He claimed that standardized cannabis testing will save many small businesses that would otherwise have been decimated by false positives. For example, a false positive could indicate the presence of a banned pesticide in a cannabis product, which could lead manufacturers to discard such products.

Kenny Morrison, the president of the California Cannabis Manufacturers Association and founder of VCC Brands, confirmed this. He said his products have received false positive test results more than once. Morrison also claimed that, in most cases, laboratories refuse to notify lawmakers and regulators of their mistakes for fear of further regulations or penalties.

Kenny Morrison believes standardized cannabis testing is the way to go. He explained what a terrible situation it is when manufacturers and brands know they are not being served with full accuracy. He also hopes that state law will be further developed to allow sampling and testing where products are made. Tests and sampling are currently being carried out at the sales location in accordance with applicable legislation.

Morrison claims that when testing and samples are run at the manufacturing site, there is no need to move pallets of products around. This greatly reduces freight costs. However, not all share the same ideology as Morrison about the new initiative. Many fear that more regulations and requirements will increase costs while restricting competition and services.

Josh Wurzer, co-founder and president of SC Labs based in Santa Cruz, believes standardized cannabis testing will limit innovation. He claimed that it was always necessary to adapt tests to the ever-changing market. As an example, Wurzer cited the launch of Delta-8, which led to it being included in their cannabinoid panel. According to Wurzer, a mandatory standardized procedure would limit innovations that are triggered by competition in the market.

Why it matters – improving quality standards

According to Christina Dempsey, spokeswoman for the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), standardized testing will add extra accountability and consistency to licensed cannabis testing laboratories. She also claimed that the standardized process will allow laboratories to easily identify and fix problems. It thus serves as an additional instrument to guarantee integrity.

The DCC has hired two state laboratories to develop operating systems that will serve as a blueprint for other cannabis testing laboratories across the state. This guideline was prompted by a recent state law that requires all cannabis regulators to validate procedures and tests. This ensures that laboratories deliver valid and precise results and the test procedures become more transparent.

With the new state law, California joins several other states that have standardized cannabis testing processes, including New York and New Jersey. In California, the DCC’s Laboratory Services Department oversees the program. This department has about two dozen employees who run the cannabis testing laboratory and also regulate the state laboratory through inspections and licenses.

The department is building a reference laboratory in partnership with the University of California and will be one of the two state laboratories. Dempsey claimed that these two laboratories will promote accountability by validating laboratory results. In addition, initiatives such as challenge tests will be put in place to ensure accountability.

Lab shopping and other challenges

All marijuana testing laboratories across California are tasked with establishing the DCC’s operating techniques. Proponents claim this will help reduce lab purchases.

According to Wurzer, customers and companies have always wanted accurate and valid data, mainly for marketing purposes. However, when test regulations were first introduced in 2018, customers started lab shopping. Customers started demanding test results to show that their products were higher in THC. This was because companies weren’t feeling this current pressure to deliver THC-rich results as they are now. And for many cannabis users, the higher THC content has become an incentive to buy more.

As more consumers look for higher levels of THC, the industry has evolved accordingly. And, according to industry officials, this has encouraged some retailers to shop in the lab. Currently, state law requires distributors to act as intermediaries between breeders and pharmacies. You will also be instructed to set up tests and hold investors until all tests are completed.

Bottom line

Jeffrey Raber, an organic chemist who founded one of the first marijuana testing laboratories in California, also had something to say. It recognizes the initiative of standardized methods and cross-validation and claims that this will help eradicate bad actors and validate laboratory results. Raber said that standardized testing will greatly improve the laboratory game, but the industry still needs so much help.

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