Robert Celt
New Member
Big changes are coming to the medical marijuana industry, and many companies are scrambling to prepare for them.
Right now, only recreational marijuana is required to undergo certified testing for pesticides and other potentially harmful chemicals.
However, beginning July 1, the same rules will apply to medical marijuana.
Even though Coloradans legalized medical marijuana more than a decade ago, testing requirements for medical marijuana were never enforced, largely because there were not enough labs to handle the load.
State lawmakers are now playing catchup, thanks to additional lab space created as a result of the explosion of retail marijuana.
Ian Barringer, President of RM3 Labs in Boulder, says testing isn't entirely new to the medical industry.
"Many of them were doing it voluntarily before, and now they'll be required to do it," he said.
At an educational forum this week put on by RM3 labs in boulder, growers told KRDO Newschannel 13 that the new regulations are a good thing.
"Basically it's for the safety and health of our clients and our customers. Everything that's sold to a client or customer should be tested to the fullest extent," said Shawn Honaker of Yeti Farms in Pueblo.
Honaker began preparing for the new regulations months ago, but he questions whether most growers like himself are ready.
"My honest opinion, no," he said, "They have to many other things on their plate they're trying to deal with right now, with regulatory changes, landlords, everything in the world you can possibly think of, and this has become a front issue for them, but probably will in the next four weeks."
The testing requirements will also increase the cost of producing marijuana, and while much of that will be passed onto the consumer, it's possible the extra expenses may force some businesses out of the industry altogether.
"It's going to be another strain on dispensaries' budgets," said Barringer, "Hopefully all of them will be able to take that strain. Only time will tell if that's the case or not.
Pesticides have been the focus of several recalls lately, but Barringer predicts a lot of samples will fail because of mold and yeast contents that are too high.
He says the state's new limits for those are especially low, and it may be tough for even experienced growers to stay under the limits.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Colorado Growers Prepare For New Medical Marijuana Rules
Author: Staff
Photo Credit: Seth Perlman
Website: KRDO
Right now, only recreational marijuana is required to undergo certified testing for pesticides and other potentially harmful chemicals.
However, beginning July 1, the same rules will apply to medical marijuana.
Even though Coloradans legalized medical marijuana more than a decade ago, testing requirements for medical marijuana were never enforced, largely because there were not enough labs to handle the load.
State lawmakers are now playing catchup, thanks to additional lab space created as a result of the explosion of retail marijuana.
Ian Barringer, President of RM3 Labs in Boulder, says testing isn't entirely new to the medical industry.
"Many of them were doing it voluntarily before, and now they'll be required to do it," he said.
At an educational forum this week put on by RM3 labs in boulder, growers told KRDO Newschannel 13 that the new regulations are a good thing.
"Basically it's for the safety and health of our clients and our customers. Everything that's sold to a client or customer should be tested to the fullest extent," said Shawn Honaker of Yeti Farms in Pueblo.
Honaker began preparing for the new regulations months ago, but he questions whether most growers like himself are ready.
"My honest opinion, no," he said, "They have to many other things on their plate they're trying to deal with right now, with regulatory changes, landlords, everything in the world you can possibly think of, and this has become a front issue for them, but probably will in the next four weeks."
The testing requirements will also increase the cost of producing marijuana, and while much of that will be passed onto the consumer, it's possible the extra expenses may force some businesses out of the industry altogether.
"It's going to be another strain on dispensaries' budgets," said Barringer, "Hopefully all of them will be able to take that strain. Only time will tell if that's the case or not.
Pesticides have been the focus of several recalls lately, but Barringer predicts a lot of samples will fail because of mold and yeast contents that are too high.
He says the state's new limits for those are especially low, and it may be tough for even experienced growers to stay under the limits.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Colorado Growers Prepare For New Medical Marijuana Rules
Author: Staff
Photo Credit: Seth Perlman
Website: KRDO
