Hawaii’s second medical cannabis testing lab has been licensed and can begin testing products immediately, according to a KITV report. Pharmlab Hawaii is expected to test products for dispensaries on Maui; Steep Hill Hawaii, located in Oahu, was approved to test products in July and until now have been the sole testing facility in the state.
Wanda Change, Department of Health environmental health analytic services branch chief, said the approval not only gives dispensaries and producers more testing options but “could potentially” cut down on costs and wait times.
A third laboratory, Oahu-based Aeos Labs, might be ready for an on-site inspection from the Health Department by January. Aeos is operated by Clinical Labs of Hawaii. Labs are not allowed to touch any cannabis products until they are approved by the state.
Medical cannabis testing labs screen products for heavy metals, solvents, pesticides, intestinal bacteria, pathogens, microbial contaminants, and dangerous molds as well as the cannabinoid profile of the products.
Chris Whelen, head of the Health Department’s State Laboratories Division, has previously indicated that interested labs continue to “submit or resubmit validation studies for certification.”
As of Sept. 30, there are 19,190 patients registered in Hawaii’s medical cannabis program.
Get daily cannabis business news updates. Subscribe
End
