Testing in the Cannabis Industry
Testing is a topic in every jurisdiction that has legalized cannabis. The standards vary, but each federally legalized jurisdiction has incredibly high standards for testing and quality. Internationally, medical cannabis testing standards are much higher than for recreational cannabis, but even recreational testing standards are stringent. Note that since the US has not legalized federally, state-level testing is weak when compared to other jurisdictions globally.
While state standards may be weak, your operation doesn’t need to be. You may think it’s good enough, but are you putting your business at risk by not taking preventive measures today?
We are proponents of safe cannabis, and we help companies ensure they meet the highest possible standards.
Cannabis Testing
Is cannabis testing in the US states good enough? In a word, no!
Whenever people talk about the testing program their state offers, it’s cringeworthy. A lot of people don’t like to hear that testing in their state is substandard as they believe that testing equates to being safe. Unfortunately, testing to a state’s standard only means that the product has been tested for a finite number of issues and that a lowered level of carcinogenic pesticides is permitted. Permitted despite the fact that they are banned in any consumables.
Testing doesn’t really mean a product has been fully tested for safety. It just means that it has been tested!
Generally in agriculture, pesticide use is governed by federal agencies. In some countries, the governing body is the health department. In the US, pesticide use is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and overseen by state and local governments. However, because cannabis is not federally legal, the EPA currently has no say in the process. Nor does the FDA, yet it examines every other consumable product.
Foreign countries where cannabis has been legalized have put comprehensive systems in place. In Canada, cannabis production standards are higher than organic standards. Testing is performed for all contaminants, including ones that wouldn’t normally be used in the production of cannabis, but which could contaminate a crop due to airborne drift or contamination from usage elsewhere.
Unsurprisingly, without the federal legalization of cannabis, every state has come up with a different solution, and as a result, testing varies from one state to the next. This lack of standardization means consumers are afforded drastically different levels of protection, each believing their state is enforcing rigorous safety standards. But without a national standard to ensure that the final products meet FDA standards, the rules are not backed by science, and consumer safety is compromised. At some point this will become an issue, and companies that haven’t prepared will suffer the avoidable consequences.
There’s an old motto “Trust but verify” – national testing standards provide verification. But even without legalization and national standards, producers can act and ensure their consumer’s safety. By putting in place solid cannabis compliance systems and seeking independent certifications, they can also increase profits.
Let’s discuss how compliance and testing can help you drive more profits, safely!