Palm Springs begins testing medical marijuana
Palm Springs is the first city in the state to require laboratory testing for medical marijuana.
The four, and soon to be five, licensed medical marijuana dispensaries will have to send their product for testing before selling the products to patients.
Budtenders at Palm Springs Safe Access, the fourth permitted medical marijuana dispensary in the city, are being educated on the latest science in medical marijuana safety from experts from SC Labs.
The company, out of Santa Cruz, contracted with the city of Palm Springs to test medical marijuana samples from all the permitted dispensaries. Palm springs is the first city in California to make such regulations.
“Of the different tests we offer are cannabinoid profile test, we are looking for levels of THC, CBD, THCA, AND CBDA and the other minor canabinoids that have medical benefits,” said Alec Dixon, co-founded of SC Labs.
They are also looking for anything that might be dangerous. Microbes can get into the medical marijuana through open jars and during the cultivation process.
“There’s some really scary stuff that can happen when you are curing, which is when you cut down the plant, your processing it all kinds of contaminants can get in there and there,” said Robert Van Roo, president of Palm Springs Safe Access. “There is moisture in there and it makes this perfect breeding ground for all kinds of little things that will make you sick,” said Van Roo.
Owners of Palm Springs Safe Access tell KESQ they have been testing their medical marijuana for years, even before they had their city issued permit.
“I saw the importance in 2012 with testing, and now when I’m back open here with this permit, I have started lab testing everything. I have to say I have seen an increase in the use of pesticides and an increase in microbiological agents,” said Van Roo.
“It is a big concern for areas like the Coachella Calley that have a high population of seniors, people with terminal illness, HIV/AIDS, or different types of immune system compromised conditions so just the presence of any contamination of those could cause a serious risk,” said Dixon.
Palm Springs Safe Access packages their medical marijuana in bags filled with nitrogen, which pushed out oxygen. Without any oxygen microbes can’t grow on the marijuana.
“When cannabis is being produced it is going to be certain that by the time it is going to reach the end producer, it’s not going to hurt them, it’s going to medicinal grade it is going to not have the risk of any microbiological contamination of pesticides,” said Dixon.
The cost of the laboratory testing is being covered by taxes paid by patients when they buy medical marijuana.
