The Need for Microbiological Testing in Medical Marijuana

In the 1960s, the U.S government blocked all research testing of cannibis products, stating it was not medicinally beneficial, even though many chronically ill patients, and their doctors alike, disagreed. While in 2001, the government rejected appeals for retesting while insisting they couldn’t sign off on medical guarantees due to the fact that marijuana has never been properly tested. State laws have been amended over the past decade or so to allow for new testing procedures in the event of medically necessary marijuana prescriptions.

Several states have since established Medical Marijuana Programs (MMP) due to the healing and pain relieving qualities of medicinal grade cannabis. But all too often, growers try to cut corners, which leads to microbial growth and contaminants in the parent plants. While many of the growth hazards are plant pathogens that do not affect humans, certain strains of bacteria found in poor quality herbal supplies have been reported to attack people who already have lower immune issues. These specific pathogens are usually highly infectious and can attack the organs or lead to premature death. Even if the plant grade is decent, if stored improperly bacteria can grow and spread among the entire supply.

Studies have found several offensive contaminants present in medicinal grade collections; including high levels of herbicides, a human-affecting bacteria known as Aspergillus (one of the deadliest known molds), as well as spores created by other molds and yeast. Not all marijuana suppliers are regulated, and as such the product is often laced with unknown contaminants. Those who use it for non-medicinal routines may choose to chance their futures on their supplier’s guarantees. But if you’re using medicinal marijuana to soothe a host of medical ailments, your prescription needs to undergo the appropriate testing and microbial quality assurance.

Automated microbiology takes center stage in deciphering and eliminating the potential microbiological contaminants in marijuana. Due to the non-regulation of the plant, it is still not considered to be medicine by many people and agencies. It needs to undergo specific testing to guarantee its medicinal worth. In microbial testing, special screening procedures incorporate all parts of the marijuana plant. Chemists scrutinize the buds, seeds and stems, concentrated oil of the plant, as well as already prepared tinctures, butters, and capsules to verify the toxicity levels in each step, from plant to final product.

Laboratory researchers create screening to study the aroma of the buds, while ensuring the stems are free of vermin, pests and other obvious unnecessary substances. The resin is then studied for the condition of naturally occurring cannabinoids within the plant. Specialized microbiology instruments help test for microorganisms within each sample. Molds are normal to an extent and found in most marijuana to some degree. However, an extensive amount leads to danger. Tolerance limits are applied to testing which verifies the APC (aerobic and non-aerobic counts), salmonella, amount of yeast and mold, coliform levels and presence of e.coli.

Most concerns regarding non-regulated medicinal marijuana can be easily addressed and remedied with microbiological testing. Make sure your suppliers’ samples are properly tested or prepare your own samples for a cannibis lab. It’s only your health after all.

Contact Biolumix to learn more about microbiological testing of medical marijuana.

Biolumix
3928 Varsity Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Phone: (734) 984-3100
Fax: 734-222-1830
Email: info@mybiolumix.com
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