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Solutions for Cannabis Analysis

Overview of PerkinElmer''s Emerald Test validated method for  pesticide analysis of cannabis and hemp, including sample prep and reporting, with Cannabis Chromatography Field Application Scientist, Margaret Guthrie.

Overview of Pesticides Analysis for Cannabis and Hemp 

Analytical Cannabis 

In 2016 US-based cannabis testing company, Steep Hill, published an eye-opening report that highlighted the prevalence of pesticides in cannabis cultivation. Using their newly developed “quantified pesticide analysis” technology, Steep Hill found that 84% of cannabis samples processed in a 30-day period at their Berkeley lab tested positive for pesticide residues. These results indicate that the use of pesticides in the cannabis industry is significantly higher than anyone expected. This is a major concern for consumers, particularly as in some states comprehensive regulations on cannabis contamination are yet to come into force. Speaking in 2017, Dr. Donald Land gives an overview of the latest research and evidence on the use of pesticides in cannabis cultivation. He also describes how pesticide residue can be identified using analytical testing to help keep cannabis consumers safe.

Cannabis: What is a safe level of pesticides? 

Real-time PCR is the method of choice for contemporary microbiological quality analysis of cannabis products. Its reliability is already proven for many years for analysis of food products and beverages, outcompeting traditional culture in both specificity and sensitivity. With the ever increasing amount of cannabis-infused products on the market, BIOTECON Diagnostics as long standing partner in the food safety diagnostic industry can bring all its experience to the market. 
 Matrices in Cannabis and Cannabis-infused products can range from pure plant materials with lots of secondary metabolites to highly processed products, such as gummy bears and brownies. The sheer variety of matrices are challenging to come by, especially in regards to sample preparation and DNA extraction in many labs. The efficient removal of dead cell background, where necessary, and PCR-inhibitors during extraction is what sets BIOTECON’s extraction apart. As a leader in viability PCR, BIOTECON’s Reagent D eliminates dead microbes from the PCR, enabling results that perfectly match traditional culture.
With over 20 years of experience in real-time PCR analysis, BIOTECON Diagnostics has assembled a portfolio of open-platform cannabis testing solutions combining highest sensitivity, specificity, speed and convenience that perfectly fits the needs of any lab. This includes our unique foodproof Yeast and Mold Quantification LyoKit and our brand new multiplex kit for Aspergillus detection and identification. 
With its long standing history and experience in real-time PCR based kits, BIOTECON Diagnostics is a pioneer and a premier partner to support clients in the Cannabis industry to ensure product safety.

qPCR Testing for microbial contaminants in Cannabis and Cannabis-infused products

Cannabis and its legalized use are rapidly gaining momentum in the US and abroad. Safety and knowledge about these consumer products are the focus of many regulatory bodies which now require analytical testing. Perhaps the biggest problem with testing cannabis is the lack of standardized or consensus testing methods, which results in vastly different testing methods and results that often cannot be verified by independent testing laboratories. This session will discuss the importance of standardized and consensus methods, how they are developed, used, and often (later) recognized by regulatory bodies. Among other recognized associations, AOAC International efforts to develop the first consensus methods specified for cannabis applications in testing laboratories will be discussed. Related subject matter will include explanations as to the time commitment to develop, vet through expert peer-review, and implement these methods. Dr Susan Audino, Chemistry Laboratory Consultant S. A, Audino & Associates, LLC was speaking at The Science of Cannabis 2017 Online Symposium.

Testing Cannabis:  How and why voluntary consensus methods are critical

Speaking at The Science of Cannabis 2020 Online Symposium, Rob Thomas, Principal Consultant at Scientific Solutions presented his talk on heavy metals regulation and how lessons from the pharmaceutical sector could be transferred to the cannabis industry. Abstract: The lack of federal oversight with regard to medicinal cannabis and hemp products in the US has meant that it has been left to the individual states to regulate its use. Medical marijuana is legal in 33 states, while 11 states allow its use for adult recreational consumption. The sale of these products is strictly regulated by their THC and CBD content, depending on their use. However, it’s also critical to monitor levels of contaminants such heavy metals, as the cannabis plant is known to be a hyper-accumulator of heavy metals in the soil. Unfortunately, there are many inconsistencies with heavy metal limits in different states where medical cannabis is legal. Some states define four heavy metals while others specify up to eight. Some are based on limits directly in the cannabis, while others are based on consumption per day. Others take into consideration the body weight of the consumer, while some states do not even have heavy metal limits. So clearly there is a need for consistency across state lines, in order that consumers know they are using products which are safe to use. This presentation will take a closer look at how the pharmaceutical industry changed its 100-year old sulfide precipitation test for a small group of heavy metals, to finally arrive at a list of 24 elemental impurities using plasma spectrochemical techniques. The cannabis industry can learn a great deal from this process to not only understand the many potential sources of heavy metal contamination, but also how the final cannabis products can be contaminated by the manufacturing equipment, the extraction process and the delivery systems used.

Regulating Heavy Metals in Cannabis: What We Can Learn From the Pharmaceutical Industry

Mandatory cannabis testing was introduced by the Colorado legislature in early 2015. With this new mandatory testing requirement came the necessity to define which analytical tests would be performed along which points of the supply chain for which types of products, and ultimately drive which technologies would be used to conduct these now mandatory tests. While botanical cannabis has long been tested in crime labs, and the Netherland's national medical program, the requirement for testing cannabis concentrates and infused products has only recently been required and the arena of cannabis testing still continues to evolve today. As new states begin to enact mandatory cannabis testing programs they are able to build upon what has been learned from predecessor states who have mandated testing before. They continue to evolve the thinking to ultimately create the framework for a robust, scientifically sound consumer protection system which uses testing to support accurately labeled and quality controlled products being brought to consumers. An overview of the testing methods that have both emerged and are now required will be provided. Dr Jeff Raber, CEO & CVO, The Werc Shop was speaking at the Science of Cannabis Online Symposium 2018.

The Cannabis Testing Evolution

Since 2010, Dr. Land has been involved with cannabis testing and regulation in over a dozen states and several countries - as co-founder of Halent Labs in Sacramento, CA and, since 2013, as Chief Scientific Consultant for Steep Hill. Steep Hill was the first commercial cannabis testing laboratory and is currently a leading cannabis testing, research, and analytics firm located in Berkeley, CA with affiliates in numerous states and countries. Within the past few years, regulations have been implemented regarding testing of legal market cannabis and hemp. Land will discuss the evolution of cannabis testing and how various jurisdictions have gone about deciding on the details of what to require and not. Land will also review the current landscape of cannabis testing including some recent statistics, some pitfalls encountered, and a proposed path forward.    

State of the Cannabis Industry: Testing and regulations

Overview of the PerkinElmer Emerald Test validated method for Residual Solvents Analysis for cannabis and hemp with Cannabis Gas Chromatography Field Application Scientist, Adam Floyd

Overview of Residual Solvents Analysis for Cannabis and Hemp

Technology Networks

Join Ash and Xandrina as they discuss cannabis testing with Dr Hudalla, founder and chief scientific officer at ProVerde Laboratories. For more information, please sign up to our free online symposium: http://go.technologynetworks.com/the-science-of-cannabis-2018 

Discussing cannabis testing with Dr Christopher Hudalla.

The cannabis lab testing space has faced several challenges over the last year– a volatile regulatory environment, lack of standard methodologies, the vaping epidemic, accusations of inconsistency and unscrupulous ethical practices as well as tremendous pressure on pricing as testing becomes increasingly commoditized. These challenges will be detailed and discussed in this presentation. In California, the proposed consolidation of the three cannabis agencies into a single cannabis regulatory authority may present an opportunity to provide input on current testing regulations. California testing regulations have been used template for other states, therefore, successful changes have a chance of being adopted across the nation. Despite some valiant efforts, it has become clear that the creation of standard analytical methodologies will take more time and effort due to the number of tests and matrices involved. Many labs still view their methods as trade secrets or IP which makes them wary of sharing too many details. A more practical pathway to standardization would be in creating specific requirements for the cannabis industry and defining validation parameters clearly. In addition to discussing the challenges in the cannabis testing industry, this presentation will also cover the opportunities for improvement and standardization. 

This talk was presented by Dr Swetha Kaul at the Analytical Cannabis Online Expo 2020.

Overview of Pesticides Analysis for Cannabis and Hemp

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Solutions for Cannabis Analysis

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August 16, 2019

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