AOAC INTERNATIONAL’s Cannabis/Hemp Proficiency Testing

Register Free: https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/cst_w/HEMP

Event Overview:
Cannabis is a complex matrix to analyze, leading many laboratories across the country wondering what contributes to quality cannabis testing. Many state regulations insist cannabis laboratories be ISO 17025 accredited, and with accreditation comes an abundance of criteria that must be met by the lab. One of the criterions is successful participation in a Proficiency Testing (PT) program. However, with so many labs or lab personnel new to cannabis testing, many do not know what proficiency testing is or its role in the laboratory. In addition, labs have noted the analytical differences in testing cannabis versus hemp and have specific concerns around testing it. These labs have asked for a PT program that would provide actual cannabis samples in addition to hemp. AOAC has a long history of bringing scientists together to address emerging topics, so when those labs/stakeholders came to AOAC with their concerns and need for quality proficiency testing in the cannabis industry, AOAC acted. In developing and launching this PT program, AOAC has become the industry’s only PT provider offering actual >0.3% THC cannabis and/or hemp flower/plant as a matrix. The new Cannabis/Hemp PT Program was developed by input from stakeholders, including state regulatory laboratories, industry laboratories, state and federal agencies, as well as national and international accrediting bodies through the AOAC Cannabis Analytical Science Program (CASP).
In this webcast, attendees will gain insight into:

• What is Proficiency Testing and its role?
• Cannabis and Hemp analytical challenges
• Differences in Proficiency Testing Programs

Key Learning Objectives:
Attendees can expect to learn:

• Learn what Proficiency Testing is and its role in the lab
• Challenges of Analyzing Cannabis and Hemp
• Differences in Proficiency Testing Programs

Who Should Attend:
Cannabis/Hemp laboratories interested in learning about proficiency testing and its role in the laboratory

Speakers
Shane Flynn
Senior Director, Proficiency Testing (PT) Program
AOAC Laboratory

Shane Flynn is the Senior Director of the AOAC Laboratory Proficiency Testing (PT) Program. Shane helped start the first accredited Proficiency Testing program for food labs in the United States and has been developing new programs to address the needs of the analytical community since. He is currently working on Cannabis and Hemp PT programs. 

Shane accepted the position of Senior Director of Laboratory Proficiency Testing at AOAC in October of 2021. However, he has been with AOAC and specifically the proficiency testing department for 24 years where he was also a Director, Program Manager, and Program Coordinator. Through the years he has helped develop over 15 accredited proficiency testing programs for Food Chemistry, Food Microbiology, Pesticides, Infant Formula, Swabs and is now working in Cannabis/Hemp. In addition to his Proficiency Testing role, he also is the staff lead for ALACC and the Technical Division of Laboratory Management (TDLM). ALACC is a multinational group of experts from varied scientific disciplines and industries that aids in the development and revisions of The AOAC INTERNATIONAL Guidelines for Laboratories Performing Microbiological and Chemical Analyses of Food, Dietary Supplements, and Pharmaceuticals, An Aid to Interpretation of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 was created by the Analytical Laboratory Accreditation Criteria Committee (ALACC) to provide a section-by-section interpretation of requirements.

Shane Attended University of Maryland (College Park) for his B.S in Food Science and University of Maryland, University College (Now Global College) towards M.S. Biotechnology.

Register Free: https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/cst_w/HEMP