Thanks to a new law intended to improve cannabis product
testing, state agencies are forming a Cannabis
Science Task Force that will be led by Ecology.
The Task Force will develop standards that ensure cannabis labs can
produce reliable results when testing consumer and medical products.
Since cannabis was legalized in Washington, a number of consumer and medical products have been made available in the state. Not surprisingly, the Washington Liquor
and Cannabis Board and the Department of Health require products to be tested
by an accredited laboratory. This testing is meant to ensure consumers are using products that are clean, free of harmful substances and are purchasing what was advertised. Medical and
recreational cannabis products are tested for a variety of issues including
potency, pesticides, and metals.
Cannabis products create a new paradigm
Cannabinoid products are required to be tested by accredited labs.* |
States typically rely on
federal laws and rules as a regulatory framework for lab testing and accreditation programs.
These frameworks exist for labs testing drinking water, food and health care
samples and took years to develop. Standardized testing practices have not been
established for cannabis and the result is a patchwork of regulatory practices
that vary from state to state.
Laboratory test results impact many areas of our daily
lives. The assurance of safe drinking water, food safety, and health care all
rely on the competency of labs. Government agencies also rely on lab results to
inform policy decisions. Bottom line – reliable testing practices are important
to everyone.
Labs test both consumer and medical grade cannabis products.* |
State agencies support improving cannabis testing
We’ve been working with the state Legislature and the Liquor and Cannabis Board over the last two legislative sessions to identify improvements and a path forward for Washington.
Because we already administer
an environmental and drinking water accreditation program for 500 laboratories
in Washington and throughout the nation, the Legislature has looked to us forexpert recommendations. In a report to the Legislature, we shared
our evaluation of the existing cannabis lab accreditation program and options
for improving the program.
Multiple state agencies
supported our recommendations and House Bill 2052, which transfers lab
accreditation to Ecology and creates the Cannabis Science Task Force.
Washington’s Cannabis Science Task Force
Labs that test products –
cannabis or any other product – rely on established methods, protocols, and
standards among other requirements. Those practices do not exist for cannabis
labs in Washington. That’s where the Cannabis Science Task Force comes in.
Washington’s departments of
Agriculture, Health, and the Liquor and Cannabis Board will join us, along with
interested tribes and industry partners, to establish standards for the state.
Liquor and Cannabis Board’s role
While the Task Force
establishes standards, the Liquor and Cannabis Board will continue its
oversight of accreditation. In addition to accreditation, the agency licenses
growers, producers, and retailers. All of these regulatory activities are part
of the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s seed to sale traceability system.
Cannabis listen & learn forum
The Cannabis Science Task Force will meet for the first time on Aug. 21. This first meeting is designed to be a forum to listen and learn. Members of the public can attend and will have an opportunity to share feedback with the Task Force.When: Aug. 21, 2019, from 9 a.m. – noon
Where: Lacey Library 500 College St SE, Lacey WA
To stay informed on the progress of the Cannabis Science Task Force, visit our website and signup to receive emails.
By Camille St. Onge,
communications
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