The Month In... Testing and Processing
Need to catch up on the latest in cannabis testing and analysis? Here’s the January edition of our new “all killer, no filler” monthly update
Pure Michigan?
Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Authority (MRA) initially raised concerns about qPCR test methods for total yeast and mold back in August. In response, AOAC International began an Emergency Response Validation program. A memo issued last week by MRA reports that molecular methods failed the first round of testing in the AOAC program, and will therefore be disallowed for total yeast and mold (at least for now).
CannaQAP is back
The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are launching the second exercise in their CannaQAP scheme, focusing on dried flower.
Final(?) rule on hemp
The USDA released their final rule on hemp production on January 15. Compared with the interim rule, there’s more wiggle room on THC levels and more time for harvesting. But the requirements to test only the flower/tops of plants and use testing labs registered with the DEA still stand.
Stability and shelf life of cannabis flower
Should cannabis flower be labeled with an expiration or “best before” date? In a new paper, Juris Meija and colleagues at National Research Council Canada take a detailed look at cannabinoid degradation and decarboxylation in dried flower - including a handy calculator.
Tracing pesticides
Pesticides were detected on surfaces in cannabis growing facilities, leading researchers to recommend routine monitoring.
Spot the difference
A new PCR test developed by Japanese researchers can quickly and accurately distinguish between drug-type and fiber-type (hemp) cannabis – and hybrids of the two.
Speeding up hemp testing
A new gas chromatography method was developed for the simultaneous measurement of terpenes and cannabinoids in hemp.
After studying biology at Imperial College London, I got my start in biomedical publishing as a commissioning editor for healthcare journals, and I’ve spent my career covering everything from early-stage research to clinical medicine. Attracted by the creativity, talent and passion of the team, I joined Texere Publishing in 2014, where I’m now Associate Content Director and Editor of The Cannabis Scientist.
