Don't Always Believe “LEGAL” equals “SAFE”: The Hidden Inaccuracies of Legal Cannabis Testing

In the rapidly expanding world of legal cannabis, consumers are often led to believe that the products they purchase from licensed dispensaries are meticulously tested and perfectly safe. While state-level regulations exist to ensure a baseline of quality, a closer look at the process, particularly for vape products, reveals a troubling reality: testing inaccuracies are a widespread problem, putting consumers at risk. “LEGAL” doesn’t equal “SAFE”.

The Loophole of “Lab Shopping”

One of the most significant issues is the practice of "lab shopping." This occurs when cannabis producers and manufacturers intentionally seek out testing labs known for providing inflated THC potency results and overlooking contaminants. This allows them to market their products with higher-than-actual cannabinoid percentages, giving them a competitive edge and misleading consumers into thinking they're getting a more potent product. This issue has led to lawsuits and calls for stricter oversight in multiple states.

Beyond Potency: The Problem of Contaminants

The problem isn't just about misleading potency claims; it's about safety. Legal cannabis products, including vapes, are required to be tested for a range of contaminants, such as:

• Pesticides: Despite strict regulations, pesticides have been found in legal vape products, even in states with some of the most rigorous testing requirements. This is often because the extraction process for concentrates can increase the concentration of any chemicals present in the raw plant material.

• Heavy Metals: Studies have shown that heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury can leach from vape cartridge components into the oil, and even into the vapor itself. This contamination can occur even before the product is used, posing a significant health risk to consumers.

• Residual Solvents: The manufacturing process for cannabis extracts often involves solvents, and if not purged correctly, these can remain in the final product.

Why is this Happening?

Several factors contribute to these testing inaccuracies:

• Lack of Uniformity: Each state has its own set of regulations and testing standards. This patchwork of rules means there is no national standard for what constitutes "safe" or "accurate."

• Testing Methodologies: Some labs may use testing methods that are not sensitive enough to detect certain contaminants, or they may use inconsistent procedures. Furthermore, the testing process for the vape liquid itself is not always enough, as the device's components and the act of vaporization can introduce new risks.

• The Pursuit of High THC: The market's obsession with high-potency products creates a perverse incentive for labs to provide favorable, rather than accurate, results.

What Can Consumers Do?

While all of this seems like a huge problem, and it is, we must remember that cannabis has the high standards of testing than any industry including food. Cannabis is often cleaner than some of the foods we consume. Yes, the system has its flaws, but there are steps consumers can take to protect themselves:

• Buy from a trust worthy Source: Avoid illicit or traditional-market products that have very little labeling and are known to be low quality. If you do go to a traditional shop, make sure they care about the quality, care for customers, and the purchaser knows the producers first hand. You can find this out by becoming friendly with the staff and manager.

• Look for a Certificate of Analysis (CoA): A CoA is a lab report that details a product's cannabinoid and terpene profile, as well as the results of contaminant testing. Reputable brands will make these easily accessible via a QR code on the packaging or on their website. Though as we discussed above, this precaution is not reliable.

• Research Brands and Labs: Do your homework. Look for brands that have a reputation for transparency and quality and check to see which accredited labs they work with.

Ultimately, while the legal cannabis industry has made significant strides in consumer safety, the issue of testing inaccuracies remains a critical concern. LEGAL doesn’t always mean SAFE!

As the industry matures, it's essential for regulators, producers, and consumers to work together to open licensing access to small local operators and demand operators ensure care in what they offer. If small business is allowedto become licensed, the more community initiatives will be put first, whereas currently we do not see operators really care about the community hence they won’t care about testing accuracy.