Protecting the cannabis industry and discouraging patronage of the black market necessitates a vigilant commitment to compliance and surveillance. Cannabis testing services are in high demand as the number of states that have legalized the drug for medical or recreational use increases. These services ensure that the cannabis available for purchase is of sufficient quality and contains no harmful contaminants. In the United States especially, where testing regulations differ by state and based on the cannabis variety from which the crop or product is generated, the testing of cannabis presents several challenges.
What do cannabis testing laboratories examine?
Reasons why it’s crucial for marijuana to be tested in a reputable facility like BelCosta Labs cannabis testing services, are detailed below.
Safety for human consumption.
Whether it’s nutrients from the soil or pesticides from an adjacent crop, cannabis takes in whatever it comes into contact with. Now more than ever, cannabis products must pass stringent testing for the presence of residual chemicals. Regulators have set maximum thresholds for detectable levels of residual solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, microbes, and mycotoxins in cannabis test results.
Cannabinoids in cannabis have been modified using pesticides, fungicides, and plant growth regulators. Patients risk serious harm if they ingest these chemicals after their intended use has ended. Medical cannabis patients, especially those with respiratory conditions like asthma or allergies, or compromised immune systems, are vulnerable to the consequences of mold and fungus pollutants.
The potency of cannabis.
The cannabinoid and terpene profile of a cannabis product cannot be known without first putting it through a rigorous marijuana test. These are the two most critical aspects to consider because you will see here what cannabinoids potency they test, as they will directly impact the overall experience.
As a result of the plant’s sensitivity to its surroundings, cannabis produced in two different regions of the world can appear to be the same cultivar in both cases. However, it may have varying concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes, which may affect how you respond to it. A grower’s Blue Dream may vary in potency and chemical composition from another’s.
To determine the chemical makeup of medical marijuana, testing equipment is used. To identify the presence of this psychoactive compound, a cannabis lab technician might use a THC testing machine. Check the cannabinoid and terpene content of your cannabis before using it to better anticipate the effects you may feel.
Medical marijuana testing labs vs. recreational marijuana testing labs
Medical marijuana testing centers for recreational and therapeutic use are located in the same location and both are a great place to start terpene testing. Homegrown recreational cannabis and legally prescribed medical cannabis can be tested at the same lab.
Testing procedures for cannabis, however, may vary. Terpenes, which have been shown to have antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, to mention a few, may receive more attention in medical marijuana testing.
Conclusion
Testing labs play an important role in ensuring customer safety and product quality by reducing the number of leftover pesticides, processing chemicals, and microbes in cannabis products. Many people in the cannabis industry, including those working in cultivation, processing, and analytical testing, find it difficult and challenging to keep up with the ever-evolving landscape and the myriad of new laws and regulations introduced. To ensure its continuous expansion, legitimacy, and acceptability as legislation changes, more testing data is produced, and testing programs are evaluated, the cannabis testing business must look to other established and regulated industries for help.
