Colorado's Marijuana Testing Requirements Webinar

Dr. Andy LaFrate, PhDPresident, Charas Scientific

August 27th, 2014

Overview

• Introduction• Testing Categories• Potency• Contaminants

• Testing Requirements• Services offered by Charas Scientific• Summary and Future Webinars

Introduction: Andy LaFrate

• PhD chemist with over a decade of lab experience• Began working as consultant in Colorado’s marijuana

industry in 2012• Participant on several working groups to determine

marijuana regulations in Colorado• Employed at one of the largest MIPs in Colorado• Left to found Charas Scientific in February 2014

Introduction: Charas Scientific

• State-licensed marijuana testing and research lab• Located in Denver, Colorado• Performs cannabinoid potency testing and analysis

for chemical and biological contaminants• “More than Just a Testing Lab”• Contract R&D, Strategic Partnerships• Consulting and Production Optimization Services

From the Industry, For the Industry.

• Charas Scientific is a product of Colorado’s marijuana industry and brings a fresh approach to testing• We understand cannabis at the molecular level and

empower our clients to use that knowledge• Charas delivers more than just results, we offer solutions to

problems that we find in testing• Our team of scientists innovate new products and methods

to take cannabis to the next level

Potency Testing

• All retail marijuana including flower, concentrates and edibles must be tested for potency prior to sale• Product must be labelled with potency

test results• Cannabinoids required:• THC, THCA, CBD, CBDA, CBN

Chemical Contaminant Testing

• Some chemical contaminant testing is mandatory, and some is random.• The testing rules are dynamic, so it is

important to stay current on them to avoid violations• Current Mandatory Testing (August 2014)• Residual Solvents

• Current Random Testing • Pesticides and Heavy Metals

Residual Solvent Testing

• All concentrates made with chemical solvents must be tested for residuals• Solvents allowed for use: propane,

butane, acetone, ethanol, isopropanol, water, heptane and CO2• Current Approved Solvent Limits• Butane < 800 ppm (parts per million)• Heptane < 500 ppm

Biological Contaminant Testing

• Biological contaminant testing is required for most retail marijuana including flower, edibles and some concentrates• Must test for harmful E. coli,

Salmonella and Aspergillus• Current limits for all microbes are <1 CFU (colony forming unit)

Who Must Test?• All retail marijuana products must

be tested prior to sale by the producer• Growers AKA OPCs• Infused product and extraction

companies AKA MIPs• Retail stores are generally not

required to test products

How Often Do You Test?• Every harvest batch and production batch must be tested for potency

• Pooling of packages or harvest and production batches produced within 7 days is allowed for contaminant testing

• Validation program is designed to reduce testing burden on producers• Once validated, producers only need to test 10% of batches for

contaminants

OPC Validation

• Cultivation Facilities (OPCs) can be validated to reduce testing burden• Potency: Test four harvest batches

produced three weeks apart within six months• Contaminants: Test every harvest

batch for 12 weeks, minimum of 12 batches separated by 6 days

MIP Validation• Marijuana Infused Product companies

(MIPs) can be validated to reduce testing burden• Potency: Every batch of concentrate

and edible must be tested• Contaminants: Every batch within 4

week period, minimum of 4 batches separated by 6 day period

What We Do at Charas

• Team of scientists specialized in analysis and research• Full service, State-licensed marijuana testing lab• Potency Testing• Residual Solvent and Terpene Testing• Microbial Testing• Pesticide Testing• Heavy Metals Testing (coming early 2015)

• Contract R&D, consulting and production optimization services

Summary• Colorado’s marijuana testing laws are complex and

dynamic, and understanding them is critical• Potency testing is required now for all retail

products• Contaminant testing will begin October 2014• Medical marijuana testing will likely begin in 2015• Validation program allows producers to decrease

testing• Understanding test results and taking action to fix

problems is key to success in competitive market

Resources & Contact

• Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED):www.colorado.gov/revenue/medicalmarijuana

• Colorado Retail Marijuana Rules:R700 and R1500 Series are focused on testing

• Charas Scientific:www.charasscientific.com

• Andy LaFrate – President, Charas Scientific:andy@charasscientific.com 720.467.8015

Future Webinar Topics

• How Do We Test?• A series of webinars focused on specific testing methods for

potency and contaminants such as HPLC, GC and qPCR• Testing Validation• Dedicated to helping producers understand the validation

process to reduce testing and save money• Consulting and Production Optimization• Highlights how Charas Scientific helps clients understand test

results and empowers them to use that knowledge to better their business.

Thank

you!