Valley’s first fully licensed cannabis testing facility opens in Cathedral City

The valley’s first fully licensed pot testing facility is opening in Cathedral City, making cannabis compliance easier for local growers.

Landau Laboratories Inc. is hosting its grand opening preview event Friday from 5-8 p.m., inviting private growers and micro-businesses to explore the testing lab and drop off samples to be tested. Commercial growers and manufacturers can schedule pick-ups for samples as well.

“The closer we are to growers, the better it is to get the material to the lab tested both quickly and effectively,” said Landau Laboratories partner Georg Kallert.

The lab is the first in Cathedral City, and the only one in the Coachella Valley licensed for Phase 3 testing which looks for heavy metals and water activity, a measure that’s required by the state as of December 31, 2018. The lab also tests for pesticides, toxins, and THC/CBD content, among other things.

Landau Laboratory’s team of scientists carefully test samples.

“As with any crop, it’s really important for the growers to maximize their revenue and make sure that their crop survives,” Kallert said. “So a lot of times growers may be doing something that isn’t the best for consumption.”

It’s proximity helps expedite the process for Coachella Valley growers.

“Their whole crop is on hold until the lab can provide a certificate of analysis that everything is ready to go,” Kallert said, “Having more labs, having them closer to the grow spaces, is just a natural fit.”

Reporter Jake Ingrassia has the full story tonight on News Channel 3 at 6 p.m.

You can reach Jake on Twitter, Facebook or email him at jake.ingrassia@kesq.com.