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As far as what precisely must appear on a COA or lab report, there's little in the way of standardization, though some U.S. states have outlined requirements for what must be included in such reports. The Oregon Health Authority's ''Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 333, Division 64, Section 0100: Marijuana Item Sampling Procedures and Testing'' stipulates that any report must include total THC and total CBD (by dry weight) and, if discovered, "up to five tentatively identified compounds (TICS) that have the greatest apparent concentration." It also lays out requirements for pesticides, failed tests, limits of quantification, and specimen identifiers such as test batch number.<ref name="OHA333-064-0100">{{cite web |url=https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=275914 |title=Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division, Division 64, Accreditation of Laboratories |work=Oregon Administrative Rules |publisher=Oregon Secretary of State |accessdate=07 July 2021}}</ref>  California dictates reported values for cannabinoids and contaminates be shown on the COA with three significant figures and water-activity level at two significant digits, as well as "pass" and "fail" statuses, demographics, sample history, test methods used, and more.<ref name="CABMC16-42-5">{{cite web |url=https://srigc.com/cn/downloads/246/CACannabisTesting.pdf |format=PDF |title=Bureau of Marijuana Control Proposed Text of Regulations - Testing Laboratories |author=Bureau of Marijuana Control |publisher=State of California |accessdate=07 July 2021}}</ref> Pennsylvania provides another example with its medical marijuana program (28 Pa. Code Chapter 1171), which includes a section on test results and reporting (1171.31). The regulations stipulate reporting by electronic tracking system, with stipulations on using certificates of analysis which include lot/batch number and the specific compounds and contaminants tested.<ref name="28PA1171">{{cite journal |url=http://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/028/chapter1171/s1171.31.html&d=reduce |title=Title 28 - Health and Safety, Department of Health - 28 Pa. Code Ch. 1171 - 1171.31. Test results and reporting |work=Pennsylvania Code |publisher=Fry Communications, Inc |accessdate=07 July 2021}}</ref>
At least in the U.S., given the federal status of recreational and medicinal marijuana, labs operating in cannabis-legal states still have to be particularly mindful of their operations for fear of breaking even a state or local regulation, potentially putting the lab out of business. Samples are tracked internally from receipt to distribution or destruction. However, it's often not enough to issue certificates of analysis and keep careful track of the cannabis samples that move in and out of the laboratory; sample activity must be tracked every single step of the way through laboratory workflows. This is particularly true in states that mandate track-and-trace (sometimes called "[[seed-to-sale]]") monitoring and reporting. In that case, keeping data siloed in the lab isn't an easy option to work with. States mandating the use of a particular track-and-trace software platform means either manually transferring data from the lab's systems—or, worst case, from the lab's paper documentation—to the mandated track-and-trace software. This is where integration between the lab's data management platform and the state's system proves useful.


Regulations aside, it's largely up to the laboratory—and often by extension, the software they're using—to decide how a report is formatted. Some labs like Seattle-based Analytical 360 offer clean, color-based certificates of analysis, with high-magnification photographs, the chromatogram, potency, cannabinoid content, contaminant content, and explanation of limits, with the name of the approving analyst.<ref name="CC_A360">{{cite web |url=https://www.cannabis-chronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/Godzilla.pdf |format=PDF |title=Certificate of Analysis - Sample: Godzilla |publisher=Cannabis Chronicles |date=07 July 2014 |accessdate=07 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="C360Results">{{cite web |url=https://analytical360.com/testresults |title=Current Test Results |publisher=Analytical 360, LLC |accessdate=07 July 2021}}</ref> Others may simply generate a computer printout with the basic data and a legend.<ref name="HydrioCan16">{{cite web |url=http://beyondchronic.com/question/can-you-help-me-analyze-lab-reports-of-cannabis-oil/ |title=Can you help me analyze lab reports of cannabis oil? |author=Hydrio |work=Beyond Chronic: Ask Old Hippie |date=August 2016 |accessdate=07 July 2021}}</ref> Reports may originate from the measuring device itself (e.g., an integrator in a chromatography device), a middleware or data station attached to the instrument, or a LIMS that accepted data from the instrument.<ref name="McKennaSetting15">{{cite web |url=http://www.slideshare.net/GenTechScientific/ica2015-cannabis-presentation |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227090416/http://www.slideshare.net/GenTechScientific/ica2015-cannabis-presentation |title=Setting Up Your Cannabis Lab for Potency Testing |author=McKenna, M. |work=SlideShare |publisher=GenTech |date=18 June 2015 |archivedate=27 December 2016 |accessdate=07 July 2021}}</ref>
Below are representative examples of the most commonly used track-and-trace software systems that cannabis testing laboratories are required to use and integrate with:


Be sure to consult your state and local regulations to confirm what aspects are mandatory to include in your COAs.
* '''[https://www.biotrack.com/cannabis-software/ BioTrackTHC]''': As both a track-and-trace system and an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution, BioTrackTHC streamlines data management and workflows from cultivation and processing to laboratory testing and dispensation. Compliance features include customized reporting to meet government-specific needs, tracking of destruction and waste activities, transport manifests, recall tracking, regulation labels, workflow management, and more. The software has also been adopted by state governments such as Illinois, Hawaii, New Mexico, and New York.<ref name="NelsonASeed17">{{cite web |url=https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/a-seed-to-sale-shakeup/ |title=A Seed-to-Sale Shakeup |author=Nelson, S. |work=Cannabis Business Times |date=30 May 2017 |accessdate=07 July 2021}}</ref>
 
* '''[https://leafdatasystems.com/ Leaf Data Systems]''': Similar to BioTrackTHC, Leaf Data Systems is used by both industry operators and government agencies trying to regulate the cannabis industry. The system can manage data at all points along the cannabis lifecycle, from cultivation and processing to distribution, testing, and sale. Leaf can handle customized reporting depending on state or municipality, as well as customizable alerting to ensure enforcement activities are effective. The software has been adopted by the governments of Pennsylvania and Washington.<ref name="WoodMJFree18">{{cite web |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/business/cannabis/mjfreeway-series-c-leaf-data-systems-medical-marijuana-cannabis-legalization-batu-cresco-20180920.html |title=MJ Freeway raises $10M to improve marijuana tracking software, expand operations |author=Wood, S. |work=The Inquirer |publisher=Philadelphia Media Network (Digital), LLC  |date=20 September 2018 |accessdate=07 July 2021}}</ref>
 
* '''[https://www.metrc.com/ Metrc]''': Developed by Franwell, Metrc represents another major solution used by not only businesses in the cannabis supply chain but also state and local governments. Special features include trend analysis, employee activity tracking, credentialing, and process metrics. States using it include California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Montana, and the District of Colombia, among others.<ref name="McVeyChart18">{{cite web |url=https://mjbizdaily.com/chart-dominant-player-emerging-for-state-cannabis-seed-to-sale-tracking-contracts/ |title=Chart: Dominant player emerging for state cannabis seed-to-sale tracking contracts |author=McVey, E. |work=Marijuana Business Daily |date=10 September 2018 |accessdate=07 July 2021}}</ref>
 
* '''[https://us.sicpa.com/en/cannabiscontrol SICPATRACE]''': Perhaps less known in the U.S., the Swiss company SICPA has been involved in security inks and financial security for many decades.<ref name="SICPAHist">{{cite web |url=https://www.sicpa.com/sicpa-history |title=SICPA History |publisher=SICPA Holding SA |accessdate=07 July 2021}}</ref> It introduced its SICPATRACE software in 2007 for governments to better "fight counterfeiting, illicit trade and tax evasion."<ref name="SICPAHist" /> It has since been adopted for regulatory activities involving tobacco, alcohol, and now cannabis. Among its technological features is the use of multi-layer label security that incorporates multiple ways to track and trace products, batches, and samples. In the U.S., SICPATRACE has been adopted by several California counties.<ref name="SICPACalif18">{{cite web |url=https://www.sicpa.com/news/sicpa-announces-calorigin-cannabis-solution-certified-integrate-california-state-system |title=California: CalOrigin Cannabis Solution Certified |publisher=SICPA Holding SA |date=02 May 2018 |accessdate=07 July 2021}}</ref>
 
Also of note is the somewhat new concept of "tag-and-trace," the molecular application of DNA markers in a plant to allow for forensic tracking across the supply chain. Products like ETCH Biotrace may eventually also be part of the integrated workflow for cannabis testing laboratories.<ref name="EagleRiding18">{{cite web |url=https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2018/10/26/TheraCann-expected-to-grow-sales-of-ETCH-Biotrace-thanks-to-growing-demand-for-legalised-cannabis |title='Riding on a high': TheraCann expected to grow sales of ETCH Biotrace thanks to growing demand for legalised cannabis |author=Eagle, J. |work=FoodNavigator.com |date=26 October 2018 |accessdate=07 July 2021}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==Citation information for this chapter==
'''Chapter''': 2. Laboratory testing of cannabis
'''Edition''': Summer 2021
'''Title''': ''LIMS Buyer’s Guide for Cannabis Testing Laboratories''
'''Author for citation''': Shawn E. Douglas
'''License for content''': [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International]
'''Publication date''': August 2021

Revision as of 20:53, 4 February 2022

At least in the U.S., given the federal status of recreational and medicinal marijuana, labs operating in cannabis-legal states still have to be particularly mindful of their operations for fear of breaking even a state or local regulation, potentially putting the lab out of business. Samples are tracked internally from receipt to distribution or destruction. However, it's often not enough to issue certificates of analysis and keep careful track of the cannabis samples that move in and out of the laboratory; sample activity must be tracked every single step of the way through laboratory workflows. This is particularly true in states that mandate track-and-trace (sometimes called "seed-to-sale") monitoring and reporting. In that case, keeping data siloed in the lab isn't an easy option to work with. States mandating the use of a particular track-and-trace software platform means either manually transferring data from the lab's systems—or, worst case, from the lab's paper documentation—to the mandated track-and-trace software. This is where integration between the lab's data management platform and the state's system proves useful.

Below are representative examples of the most commonly used track-and-trace software systems that cannabis testing laboratories are required to use and integrate with:

  • BioTrackTHC: As both a track-and-trace system and an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution, BioTrackTHC streamlines data management and workflows from cultivation and processing to laboratory testing and dispensation. Compliance features include customized reporting to meet government-specific needs, tracking of destruction and waste activities, transport manifests, recall tracking, regulation labels, workflow management, and more. The software has also been adopted by state governments such as Illinois, Hawaii, New Mexico, and New York.[1]
  • Leaf Data Systems: Similar to BioTrackTHC, Leaf Data Systems is used by both industry operators and government agencies trying to regulate the cannabis industry. The system can manage data at all points along the cannabis lifecycle, from cultivation and processing to distribution, testing, and sale. Leaf can handle customized reporting depending on state or municipality, as well as customizable alerting to ensure enforcement activities are effective. The software has been adopted by the governments of Pennsylvania and Washington.[2]
  • Metrc: Developed by Franwell, Metrc represents another major solution used by not only businesses in the cannabis supply chain but also state and local governments. Special features include trend analysis, employee activity tracking, credentialing, and process metrics. States using it include California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Montana, and the District of Colombia, among others.[3]
  • SICPATRACE: Perhaps less known in the U.S., the Swiss company SICPA has been involved in security inks and financial security for many decades.[4] It introduced its SICPATRACE software in 2007 for governments to better "fight counterfeiting, illicit trade and tax evasion."[4] It has since been adopted for regulatory activities involving tobacco, alcohol, and now cannabis. Among its technological features is the use of multi-layer label security that incorporates multiple ways to track and trace products, batches, and samples. In the U.S., SICPATRACE has been adopted by several California counties.[5]

Also of note is the somewhat new concept of "tag-and-trace," the molecular application of DNA markers in a plant to allow for forensic tracking across the supply chain. Products like ETCH Biotrace may eventually also be part of the integrated workflow for cannabis testing laboratories.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Nelson, S. (30 May 2017). "A Seed-to-Sale Shakeup". Cannabis Business Times. https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/a-seed-to-sale-shakeup/. Retrieved 07 July 2021. 
  2. ↑ Wood, S. (20 September 2018). "MJ Freeway raises $10M to improve marijuana tracking software, expand operations". The Inquirer. Philadelphia Media Network (Digital), LLC. https://www.inquirer.com/philly/business/cannabis/mjfreeway-series-c-leaf-data-systems-medical-marijuana-cannabis-legalization-batu-cresco-20180920.html. Retrieved 07 July 2021. 
  3. ↑ McVey, E. (10 September 2018). "Chart: Dominant player emerging for state cannabis seed-to-sale tracking contracts". Marijuana Business Daily. https://mjbizdaily.com/chart-dominant-player-emerging-for-state-cannabis-seed-to-sale-tracking-contracts/. Retrieved 07 July 2021. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "SICPA History". SICPA Holding SA. https://www.sicpa.com/sicpa-history. Retrieved 07 July 2021. 
  5. ↑ "California: CalOrigin Cannabis Solution Certified". SICPA Holding SA. 2 May 2018. https://www.sicpa.com/news/sicpa-announces-calorigin-cannabis-solution-certified-integrate-california-state-system. Retrieved 07 July 2021. 
  6. ↑ Eagle, J. (26 October 2018). "'Riding on a high': TheraCann expected to grow sales of ETCH Biotrace thanks to growing demand for legalised cannabis". FoodNavigator.com. https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2018/10/26/TheraCann-expected-to-grow-sales-of-ETCH-Biotrace-thanks-to-growing-demand-for-legalised-cannabis. Retrieved 07 July 2021. 


Citation information for this chapter

Chapter: 2. Laboratory testing of cannabis

Edition: Summer 2021

Title: LIMS Buyer’s Guide for Cannabis Testing Laboratories

Author for citation: Shawn E. Douglas

License for content: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Publication date: August 2021

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