By Harrison Bard Co-Founder and CEO of Custom Cones USA
Missouri is the Show Me State when it comes to cannabis tests. It requires its licensed cannabis businesses run a series of tests in order to prove that the cannabis they send to the store shelves is safe.
Missouri, a relatively young state in the cannabis industry with medical marijuana approved in 2018 and recreational cannabis approved in 2022 by voters, has been able to learn from other states who have developed programs before it. Its testing regulations reflect this.
Missouri regulations, which are among the most stringent in the industry require that all cannabis products for medical or recreational markets be tested in their final form. This includes pre-rolls. Not only the flower, but also the paper and other ingredients are tested, as any failure can lead to the destruction of the entire product lot.
The Missouri Department of Agriculture requires that both pre-rolls and flower, for instance, be tested at one of the 10 state-certified labs.
- Moisture content and water activity
- Chemicals used in processing and residual solvents
- Residual pesticides;
- Microbiological impurities
- Mycotoxins;
- Foreign materials;
- The “big four heavy metals” (cadmium + lead + mercury);
- Cannabinoids
- Terpenes (if requested).
These tests are meant to protect the consumer from hidden dangers in cannabis products. It is therefore important that you make sure any pre-rolled cones or rolling papers you purchase – for your own personal use – pass these tests. Moisture content and water activity, for example, can indicate the possibility of mold growth. Mold can grow if water activity is above 0.70 Aw. This can be dangerous if consumed. Missouri, along with many other states, limits water activity to 0.65 Aw for flower and pre-rolls.
THE BIG FOUR HEAVY METALS PLUS CHROMIUM
Missouri, like many other states, requires heavy metal testing. These four heavy metals are toxic for humans even in small doses. Heavy Metals can be absorbed by plants from soil. They can harm all of the body’s vital system including the respiratory, central nervous, and reproductive systems.
Missouri is, however, one of the few states to include chromium, another hazardous heavy metal, in its testing regime. If chromium is allowed to enter the bloodstream it can cause damage to the kidneys, the liver and the blood cells. It could even lead to renal and liver failure. You can now see why some states are adding it to the list of tests they require.
MYCOTOXINS AND MICROBIALS
Heavy metals can be dangerous to health, but microbials or mycotoxins are the most harmful.
Mycotoxins, a toxic substance produced by molds such as Aspergillus can suppress the immune and cause liver damage. Missouri requires the testing of two mycotoxins: Aflatoxins (also known as ochratoxin A) and Ochratoxin A. Both can cause DNA to be altered and may even lead to cancerous cells. Mycotoxins are tested to ensure that cannabis products can be consumed by humans.
Missouri law requires that cannabis receive a pass mark if the total mycotoxin content is less than 20 micrograms/kg.
Missouri also requires testing of other microbials such as Salmonella, E. Coli and Pathogenic Aspergillus Species, including A. fumigatus. A. flabus. A. niger.
PESTICIDES
Missouri also requires testing of residual pesticides, other chemicals and contaminants. Missouri allows the use of some pesticides on cannabis, which is tracked by the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Program, but cultivators must report all pesticides and chemicals used, including all ingredients, to the state’s track and trace system.
The state law requires testing for 61 chemicals, 20 residual solvents and foreign matter, as well as actionable limits and screening.
LABELING LAWS
Missouri has also enacted a very strict law regarding the labeling of cannabis products. This requires that certain information be provided in a particular order. These include the diamond THC logo for Missouri, the letter “M”, all the ingredients, the license number of the manufacturer, and where the product passed its testing.
LAB LICENSING & LAB SHOPPING
The Show Me State does not just limit the testing but also specifies which labs are allowed to be used, and how they get licensed.
Missouri law specifies who can perform the tests in the labs. The lab director must have a bachelor’s degree in natural sciences and five years of experience in a lab that is regulated, or 10 years experience in “another relevant field”. The person who performs the test must also have a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Science and at least 2 years of laboratory experience.
Missouri’s recent changes to its regulations go further than other states to try to prevent the practice of “lab-shopping” in order to achieve desired results. The new law, which is usually intended to try to limit THC potency inflating, requires that producers and labs submit their samples to another lab so that results can be compared.
The new regulations, for example, state that a lab can be required to pick up a sample from another lab up to 10 times yearly and perform retests. The state will examine all results to ensure they are similar in potency and to determine if one laboratory is passing pesticide residue tests while another is failing them.
Andre Bayard is the Custom Cones USA compliance manager. He says that while the main focus appears to be THC-potency inflation which is, of course a major driving force for sales for cannabis companies this is also a safety issue, especially for the medical market and for patients or consumers who are using low doses.
ENSURE PRE-ROLL COMPLIANCE
The Missouri law, as noted, requires that all products, including pre-rolls, be tested in the final form. Even if you have clean cannabis, your product can still fail and be thrown away if the rolling papers aren’t.
Due to this, manufacturers must protect themselves and their customers by carefully choosing suppliers. A study by California’s SC laboratories found that 11% rolling papers tested failed the state’s testing regime, which does not even include Chromium. And that 90% of papers contained heavy metals, with more than 8 % exceeding the allowed limits.
Pre-roll producers in particular should pay attention to the suppliers they use and ensure that they take testing as seriously as their own company. Bayard suggests that you make sure your paper supplier for pre-rolls is a trusted partner.
Bayard advises: “Find an honest supplier who is willing to do business with you, and make sure to perform due diligence so you can know in advance whether your paper will be accepted.”
Bayard notes that in 2022, when Custom Cones USA was contacted by a Missouri manufacturer about the chromium content of the product causing failures in the pre-rolls, they sent samples in advance so the manufacturer could test and pack a few of the completed products to ensure the products are clean before committing to an order.
It may be a warning sign if your supplier of pre-roll is unwilling to take this step.
It can be costly to have a test fail. So, make sure to stay up to date on any changes in your state’s regulations and work with a pre-roll expert to find the best, cleanest cones. Always ask for COAs.
Join us at the Summit to engage with Missouri’s Cannabis community!
It’s important to keep up with the latest industry developments as you navigate Missouri’s strict cannabis testing requirements. Consider attending the Missouri Stakeholder Summit hosted by the National Cannabis Industry Association to further your knowledge and involvement. The Missouri Stakeholder Summit is a platform that allows industry leaders, policymakers and stakeholders to discuss pressing issues affecting Missouri’s cannabis market. Each event will feature a variety of programming, including interactive panel discussion, intimate fireside conversations, and live Q&A, to give participants the chance to make the Voice of Main Street Cannabis known to key decision makers.
NCIA members are entitled to free admission and exclusive access for Q&A sessions. This summit provides a comprehensive overview of opportunities and challenges. This summit provides a comprehensive overview of opportunities and challenges.
Are you ready to take your involvement in cannabis industry to the next level? Learn about the benefits of NCIA Membership. You will gain access to exclusive resources and networking opportunities as well as advocacy initiatives. Join today online or arrange a meeting to learn more about NCIA membership and how it can help you achieve professional success and growth.
The summit offers networking opportunities for professionals of all levels, as well as expert panels and discussions that are tailored to your specific needs. This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded people, learn about the cannabis industry in Missouri, and to contribute to its growth. Do not miss this opportunity to participate in the conversation driving change and innovation within Missouri’s cannabis market. Register Now and play a role in shaping the future cannabis industry in Missouri!
The post A Guide to Missouri’s Cannabis Testing Requirements – A Deep Dive first appeared on National Cannabis Industry Association.