The cannabis industry as a whole is under considerable scrutiny.  Finger-pointing and blame regarding inaccurate product labels run rampant.  Media outlets have often faulted the skill of the laboratories, a circumstance that leaves everyone feeling confused, distraught, and outright swindled.  More recently, several entities, such as ASTM International, have embarked on forging paths to standardize cannabis analytical testing.  Some individuals have suggested that we look to relevant, standardized methods from parallel industries such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, or food and beverage.  Regardless of which procedures are nominated and eventually adopted by states having legalized cannabis, this undertaking will take time…it will not happen overnight.  In the meantime, it is the responsibility of each member of the cannabis industry, regardless of business sector, to take on their share of the obligation in making sure that commercial products are safe for consumption, or that ancillary goods, including scientific instrumentation have been deemed scientifically valid by experts in the subject matter. 

Cannabis is an extremely complex and fascinating medicinal plant.  There are many sources of variance that can contribute to the final numbers placed on a product’s label.  These can include natural variation, horticultural differences, and diversity in the analytical methods used to evaluate plant and product chemistry.  RJ Lee Group is committed to helping labs combat the latter source of variation, such that the data provided to their customers, and ultimately the public, is defendable  RJ Lee Group is the auditing body for the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.  Our pedigree translates well to the cannabis industry, as we have notably been involved with regulatory agencies and standard-setting organizations in the development of standardized analytical methods for use throughout the scientific community.  Some cannabis labs have shown questionable scientific integrity.  Our mission is to provide assistance and expertise to labs seeking to hone their aptitude and enhance the science of this developing industry.  Until every patient can rest assure that the product they use in battling any number of ailments has been cultivated, processed, and analytically appraised with integrity, no one benefits.    

Learning Objectives:

• To highlight the different sources of variability that influence numbers placed on cannabis-product labels
• To illustrate case-studies witnessed during the audits of labs, and showcase how RJ Lee Group has assisted labs in addressing compliance issues