First Reviewed and Recognized Certification for Cannabis Potency Testing Granted by AOAC Research Institute
For the first time, the Association of Official Analytical Collaboration (AOAC) INTERNATIONAL Research Institute granted its Reviewed and Recognized certification to a cannabis potency testing laboratory.
In a recent press release (1), the Association of Official Analytical Collaboration (AOAC) INTERNATIONAL Research Institute announced that Viridis Laboratories is the first laboratory to receive its Reviewed and RecognizedSM (R2) certificate.
“We are pleased to announce that Viridis Laboratories is the first company to complete our rigorous R2 program verifying the performance claims of the method,” said Scott Coates, AOAC Research Institute Senior Director. “Viridis has demonstrated a high degree of scientific and analytical excellence.”
Viridis Laboratories was granted the certificate for the LOM 7.1c Cannabinoid Analysis in Flower method using an ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with a diode array detector (DAD), LOM 7.1c Cannabinoid Analysis in Flower by UHPLC-DAD (2). “All R2-certified methods are evaluated for accuracy, repeatability, limit of detection, and selectivity,” the press release states (1). “Only methods that meet specified criteria are granted R2 status. Certificates and certification reports are posted for public access on the AOAC website.”
According to AOAC INTERNATIONAL (1), the method underwent an extensive evaluation process that involved several rounds of reporting and review as well as rigorous testing from an independent third-party laboratory and third-party scientific review panel to be the first-ever company to complete the R2 program.
AOAC INTERNATIONAL is “a 501(c)(3), independent, third party, not-for-profit association and voluntary consensus standards developing organization” (1).It also operates the Cannabis Analytical Science Program (CASP), which developed the Standard Methods Performance Requirements® (SMPR®) and prescribes the acceptance criteria for evaluating cannabis potency methods (1).
References
Ep 24, Part I: Data Transparency in Cannabis Testing with Yasha Khan
November 21st 2024Evan Friedmann interviews Yasha Khan, co-founder of MCR Labs, about his journey into the cannabis industry and his efforts to promote transparency and integrity in laboratory practices. Yasha discusses the origins of MCR Labs, which began in Massachusetts to meet the needs of the soon-to-be legal medical cannabis market. He explains the challenges faced, including result manipulation by labs and the impact on public health. Yasha's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) project aimed to gather testing data from 37 states, revealed significant discrepancies in potency and mold results. Despite some states' reluctance to share data, Yasha has made much of this data public, leading to collaborative research and publications on various aspects of cannabis testing.
Assessing Cannabis as a Harm Reduction Strategy: Insights from a Large-Scale Study
November 19th 2024A New Zealand study aimed to assess cannabis use as a harm reduction tool. Findings highlight lifestyle factors, and suggest cannabis-focused harm reduction strategies in reducing other substance use such as alcohol.
Ep 23, Part III: Accreditation in the Cannabis Industry with Susan Audino
October 24th 2024In Part III of this episode, host Evan Friedmann is joined by Susan Audino, PhD, founder of S.A. Audino & Associates, LLC, and co-founder of Saturn Scientific, LLC, to examine the complexities of sampling in the cannabis industry, emphasizing the need for proper sampling plans, and methods.
