Testing Cannabis: How and Why Voluntary Consensus Methods are Critical

Dr. Susan Audino, Chemistry Laboratory Consultant, S. A, Audino & Associates, LLC  speaking at The Science of Cannabis 2017 Virtual Event. 

Cannabis and its legalized use is rapidly gaining momentum in the US and abroad.  Safety and knowledge about these consumer products are the focus of many regulatory bodies which now require analytical testing. Perhaps the biggest problem with testing cannabis is the lack of standardized or consensus testing methods, which results in vastly different testing methods and results that often cannot be verified by independent testing laboratories.   This session will discuss the importance of standardized and consensus methods, how they are developed, used, and often (later) recognized by regulatory bodies.  Among other recognized associations, AOAC International efforts to develop the first consensus methods specified for cannabis applications in testing laboratories will be discussed.  Related subject matter will include explanations as to the time commitment to develop, vet through expert peer-review, and implement these methods.