Anything you eat or apply to your body should undergo testing. From food, medication to cosmetics, you need to be assured about the safety of the products you use. The same applies to cannabis, whether for recreational or medical use.
Until recently, marijuana was banned in various states, citing abuse. For a product that has had legal issues in the past, it doesn’t surprise that Cannabinoid potency testing is still facing some challenges. Read on to find out why.
- The numerous compounds cannabis possesses
Marijuana contains various active ingredients which produce psychoactive effects. Whether taken to ease pain or pleasure, the drug can cause many effects in the body. The fact that it has been treated as an illegal product makes it daunting for any pharmaceutical company to analyze its potency from the farm to factories. However, research on its standardized analyzing practices is still ongoing.
- Its ability to take in toxins from the air, soil and water
Part of the reason cannabis testing is conducted is to identify contaminants. The plant can take in many chemicals, making it harder to determine if it is safe for human consumption. In some cases, farmers may apply herbicides and pesticides, compromising the active ingredients in marijuana. This presents a wide range of chemical elements which are challenging to analyze and separate.
- Legislation policies for cannabis testing in different states vary.
In some states, the use of marijuana is still considered illegal. It is difficult for the US government to streamline a standardized testing protocol for testing active ingredients and toxins in marijuana. The main reason is that cannabis products used to treat pain and other conditions must also pass through a simultaneous process, as is the case of cannabis for recreational use.
Currently, the FDA still doesn’t recognize CBD as part of medications. In some exceptional cases, one of the active ingredients, THC, has been approved for patients battling anorexia due to HIV/AIDS. It is also convenient for cancer patients who are not responding to other treatments.
For a CBD testing company to render a product legit, they must first indicate their findings on the label. For example, if they found traces of pesticides or metals, this should be indicated. Doing so prevents them from product liability. The user can also decide if they are ready to face the consequences of using such a product.
How to overcome the challenges of cannabis potency testing?
While there is no scientifically proven formula for testing compounds and contaminants in marijuana, the players should know which actions to take before products hit the shelves. On matters of compliance, three conditions should apply:
- The regulatory bodies should accept the oversights
In an industry that attracts various misconceptions, it will be imperative for regulatory bodies to realize the oversights that come with it. Marijuana might still be considered a recreational drug that has a high affinity to chemicals. Accepting the pitfalls that come with testing allows them to know the consequences of their findings.
- Testing labs should embrace the current approach
As challenging as it may sound, the best thing CBD testing labs can do is accept the approach currently being used. It starts with knowing what to test and ensuring your tools are compliant with the current system. Soon, you can expect the laws governing this practice to change for the better.
- Cannabis shareholders need to play according to the rules of certified testing laboratories
3rd party testing is essential for anyone willing to produce or sell CBD. This can only work if the person sources for analysis services from an accredited laboratory. Doing that gives them peace of mind knowing they won’t have to face legal issues. In addition, it assures its customers that its products are quality-assuring and safe for consumption.
Owing to the sensitive nature of cannabis, testing its potency levels and content of contaminants is more complicated than what most scientists expected. Fortunately, studies are still ongoing. It starts with using scientifically proven analytical tools and backing to pinpoint and quantify marijuana’s compounds and contaminants.
As the government keeps legalizing cannabis use, you can expect that analytical tools and methods will evolve. The bottom line for ongoing research is to promote consumer safety.
