Quality Control of Cannabis Products Under A Pharmaceutical Model

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Analytical Cannabis

For the past several years, discussions regarding quality control (QC) regulations of raw cannabis flower, cannabis infused, and cannabis derived products have occupied front-and-center stage for state regulators in all jurisdictions with a cannabis program. The state of Connecticut was not only the first state to put such QC regulations, but also continues to be the only jurisdiction to have labeled medical marijuana a “pharmaceutical drug”, thus operating under pharmaceutical QC standards. Here we show a unique approach to developing QC testing methods for microbiology, heavy metals, mycotoxins, water activity, and pesticides using both traditional and non-traditional methods. As a starting point we used published methods found in CFR, USP, FDA, and EPA for agricultural products. However, much of the methods described here have been developed in-house. Moreover, while potency and terpene analysis are not considered QC tests, it did, however, required us to meet federal QC testing standards.