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| 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.
| | Now that the tasks, equipment, and workflow of [[cannabis]] testing have been addressed, we can finally venture forth to discuss why and how data management software and [[Laboratory|laboratories]] make for a good marriage. We've discovered that not only is cannabis testing a highly regulated activity, but the regulations and standards surrounding that activity are scattered and inconsistent due in part to the dichotomy between state and federal approaches to cannabis. However, testing is valuable because it helps us learn more about the plant and its constituents, ensure the safety of products containing them, and improve a state of overall accountability of the cultivators and manufacturers. We've also looked at the analytical aspects of cannabis testing, from what gets tested to how it gets tested. The [[workflow]] of the cannabis testing lab has similarities across all lab types, though there are also many differences due to the [[Matrix (chemical analysis)|substrate/matrix]] being tested, as well as the product's intended use. Those differences introduce additional testing challenges requiring unique workflows, procedures, and equipment. And how the results of all those tests get reported for both the client and the regulatory bodies introduces technical challenges. Despite all this, there are tools to help overcome all these challenges. |
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| 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:
| | This chapter addresses how a well-crafted [[laboratory informatics]] solution like a [[laboratory information management system]] (LIMS)—particularly one developed with the cannabis testing laboratory in mind—can cut through the challenges of testing cannabis and securely manage all the data associated with the endeavor. |
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| * '''[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>
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| * '''[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>
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| * '''[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>
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| * '''[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>
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| 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>
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| ==References==
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| {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
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| ==Citation information for this chapter==
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| '''Chapter''': 2. Laboratory testing of cannabis
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| '''Edition''': Summer 2021
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| '''Title''': ''LIMS Buyer’s Guide for Cannabis Testing Laboratories''
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| '''Author for citation''': Shawn E. Douglas
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| '''License for content''': [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International]
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| '''Publication date''': August 2021
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Now that the tasks, equipment, and workflow of cannabis testing have been addressed, we can finally venture forth to discuss why and how data management software and laboratories make for a good marriage. We've discovered that not only is cannabis testing a highly regulated activity, but the regulations and standards surrounding that activity are scattered and inconsistent due in part to the dichotomy between state and federal approaches to cannabis. However, testing is valuable because it helps us learn more about the plant and its constituents, ensure the safety of products containing them, and improve a state of overall accountability of the cultivators and manufacturers. We've also looked at the analytical aspects of cannabis testing, from what gets tested to how it gets tested. The workflow of the cannabis testing lab has similarities across all lab types, though there are also many differences due to the substrate/matrix being tested, as well as the product's intended use. Those differences introduce additional testing challenges requiring unique workflows, procedures, and equipment. And how the results of all those tests get reported for both the client and the regulatory bodies introduces technical challenges. Despite all this, there are tools to help overcome all these challenges.
This chapter addresses how a well-crafted laboratory informatics solution like a laboratory information management system (LIMS)—particularly one developed with the cannabis testing laboratory in mind—can cut through the challenges of testing cannabis and securely manage all the data associated with the endeavor.
