There are more regulations ensuring the safety of over-the-counter cough syrup than medical marijuana used by cancer patients.
Though Michigan legalized medical marijuana in 2008, the statute doesn’t require the product to be tested for contaminants or potency. This will change under new laws signed by Gov. Rick Snyder toward the end of last year.
By the December, Michigan residents will be able to open five kinds of medical marijuana facilities. Communities across the state are working fast to decide whether they will allow businesses to handle the growth, processing, transportation, safety compliance and sale of medical marijuana.
Some already exist here.
The Spott, located on the northeast side of Kalamazoo, is one of a handful of safety compliance facilities in the state. Started by Linda Palmatier in 2014, the laboratory tests samples of medicinal cannabis to make sure dispensaries, caregivers, and home growers are providing patients with a safe and properly dosed product.
“We’re trying to be the best of the best,” Palmatier said. “We’re hiring the most educated people we can. We have some of the best equipment in the state and in the country, really. It’s important that medication is tested properly.”
Safety compliance facilities like Palmatier’s lab are made mandatory by the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act.
The state’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs is working to establish testing standards, procedures, and requirements for marijuana before its sold. Palmatier, 65, and her staff look forward to more regulations from the state.
In the meantime, Palmatier adopted the model of safety compliance facilities in states that legalized marijuana. She’s no expert in the science behind it — that’s better left to some smart people under her employ.
Some have PhDs but most have masters degrees in fields like biology, genetics and analytical chemistry.
Fungus; mold; insects (both dead and alive); pesticides.
These have all been found inside marijuana samples tested by Mike Swartz, director of biological analyses at The Spott. A wet summer caused an increase in mold to be found in samples so far this year.
“It feels good, every day coming in here knowing we are a part of this,” Swartz said. “If you’re not testing it you never know what’s in there.”
“We’re trying to be the best of the best,” Palmatier said. “We’re hiring the most educated people we can. We have some of the best equipment in the state and in the country, really. It’s important that medication is tested properly.”
Safety compliance facilities like Palmatier’s lab are made mandatory by the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act.
The state’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs is working to establish testing standards, procedures, and requirements for marijuana before its sold. Palmatier, 65, and her staff look forward to more regulations from the state.
In the meantime, Palmatier adopted the model of safety compliance facilities in states that legalized marijuana. She’s no expert in the science behind it — that’s better left to some smart people under her employ.
Some have PhDs but most have masters degrees in fields like biology, genetics and analytical chemistry.
Fungus; mold; insects (both dead and alive); pesticides.
These have all been found inside marijuana samples tested by Mike Swartz, director of biological analyses at The Spott. A wet summer caused an increase in mold to be found in samples so far this year.
“It feels good, every day coming in here knowing we are a part of this,” Swartz said. “If you’re not testing it you never know what’s in there.”
credit:420intel.com