California Cannabis Passes Safety Tests at Higher Rates

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]M[/dropcap]ore of California’s cannabis products are clearing mandatory lab tests, according to recently released state data. As the state’s cannabis industry matures, you’ll see less and less of unsafe cannabis products making their way into the hands of consumers.

Mandatory testing for pesticides and contaminants began on July 1. For the first two months of testing, about 20 percent of samples failed the lab tests. But the most recent report on testing data from the Bureau of Cannabis Control indicates that about 14 percent of samples failed—a marked improvement compared to the initial results.

From July 1 through Nov. 30, 23,864 batches of cannabis were tested by labs, and 3,373 failed the test. The latest test results indicate that almost 90 percent of the samples were cleared for sale. Failed samples must either be destroyed or sent back to a lab with permission.

“With any news rules, there’s always going to be a period of adjustment that takes place,” Alex Traverso, spokesman for the state Bureau of Cannabis Control told the Associated Press. “The cannabis industry in California adapts pretty quickly, and I think that’s what we’re seeing with these lower fail rates in testing. That’s encouraging.”

California’s entire cannabis testing process was challenged earlier this month, when a worker from Sequoia Analytical Labs in Sacramento admitted to falsifying test results. Other problems persist over test accuracy. Josh Drayton of the California Cannabis Industry Association worries about companies that allegedly pay for better test results. “We don’t want to create a pay-to-play system with our testing labs,” Drayton said. “We do need to make sure we get standard operating procedures.”

The top reason for failing the lab tests is improper labeling. Over 2,100 products, for instance, were rejected because the companies claimed their products were more potent than they actually were. It may have been common practice to do so during the “Wild West” era of California’s cannabis market, but not anymore. Despite the problems that persist, overall, Californians can expect higher quality products without fewer contaminants and banned pesticides in the near future.

According to a reminder, all cannabis harvested on or after Dec. 31, 2018 is subject to Phase 3 testing requirements.