Come down to my lab and see what's on the slab
The day is long gone and so are all the employees of Full Spectrum Laboratories. Founder and head scientist Bob Winnicki is still there, pulverizing yeast with a mortar and pestle, and combining it with various strength tinctures to be placed in gel caps. A somewhat joking offer to supply a tester is met with "Oh, I have plenty of volunteers."
The work is down and dirty. Bob doesn't sit behind a desk; he whirls around a center staged work surface, flanked on all sides by chromatography instruments utilized in the testing of cannabis. They are used to determine the level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and various other cannabinoids that give marijuana its medicinal properties. When asked about his active role in this fledgling business, Bob responds "I'm not the typical bulls#*t PHD scientist…I do it all."
The discussion turns from Bob's impressive schooling and business acumen, to the need for regulation in the medical cannabis industry here in Colorado.
The fact of the matter is; the vast majority of the medical marijuana industry actually desires to be regulated, even taxed. Truth be known, many dispensaries in Colorado have been collecting taxes from their sales for months, in anticipation of new rulings.
In a recent formal opinion, Attorney General John Suthers said that medical marijuana is subject to sales tax and that retailers must first obtain a retail sales license before dispensing.
Full Spectrum's vision is light years ahead of regulations.
They are looking at standardized doses, certified purity and chemical make-ups, things that haven't even been addressed in California, let alone in the Rocky Mountain State. Bob foresees a future where patients will take specific capsules, for specific needs. He comments "most patients don't want to get high; they want to be pain free or without nausea."
Bob could produce a product that is so pure, as to be pharmaceutical, but won't. "We don't want to cross that line from nutraceutical to pharmaceutical. That would open up a whole new area of regulation."
In the struggle for legitimacy, Full Spectrum Labs is a great resource for Colorado's medical cannabis industry. Patients who grow their own medicine could really benefit by having it tested. Dispensaries may qualify for wholesale pricing, making it cost effective for them to build credibility with their client base.
Oh, and don't even think about that volunteer position previously mentioned unless you're a legal medical marijuana card carrier!
Comments
"They are looking at standardized doses, certified purity and chemical make-ups, things that haven't even been addressed in California, let alone in the Rocky Mountain State."
Actually, this type of testing has been going on here in California for two years. Right here in the East Bay. Collectives from Sacramento to Long Beach are currently using the same service provided by a local Medical Cannabis only safety screening laboratory out of Oakland. Harborside Health Center has used the services of Steep Hill Medical Laboratories to over a year now to ensure that all flowers and concentrates are pre screened for potency and pathogens. I think Colorado is a better place for requiring the same from cannabis providers in terms of pathogens and potency but lets give credit where credit is due. Californians are proud to be on the front lines when it comes to Medical Cannabis and legitimizing its use. Steep Hill Medical has been serving clients since George W. Bush was still in Office.
"They are looking at standardized doses, certified purity and chemical make-ups, things that haven't even been addressed in California, let alone in the Rocky Mountain State."
Actually, this type of testing has been going on here in California for two years. Right here in the East Bay. Collectives from Sacramento to Long Beach are currently using the same service provided by a local Medical Cannabis only safety screening laboratory out of Oakland. Harborside Health Center has used the services of Steep Hill Medical Laboratories to over a year now to ensure that all flowers and concentrates are pre screened for potency and pathogens. I think Colorado is a better place for requiring the same from cannabis providers in terms of pathogens and potency but lets give credit where credit is due. Californians are proud to be on the front lines when it comes to Medical Cannabis and legitimizing its use. Steep Hill Medical has been serving clients since George W. Bush was still in Office.
I'm a little confused by the use of pulverized yeast, but potency testing and transparency of results on packaging should be mandatory (IMHO).
Montana Biotech is a thc testing and labeling lab located in Bozeman, MT
http://montanabiotech.wordpress.com/
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