Conexiant
Login
  • The Analytical Scientist
  • The Cannabis Scientist
  • The Medicine Maker
  • The Ophthalmologist
  • The Pathologist
  • The Traditional Scientist
The Analytical Scientist
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Latest
    • News & Research
    • Trends & Challenges
    • Keynote Interviews
    • Opinion & Personal Narratives
    • Product Profiles
    • App Notes

    Featured Topics

    • Mass Spectrometry
    • Chromatography
    • Spectroscopy

    Issues

    • Latest Issue
    • Archive
  • Topics

    Techniques & Tools

    • Mass Spectrometry
    • Chromatography
    • Spectroscopy
    • Microscopy
    • Sensors
    • Data & AI

    • View All Topics

    Applications & Fields

    • Clinical
    • Environmental
    • Food, Beverage & Agriculture
    • Pharma & Biopharma
    • Omics
    • Forensics
  • People & Profiles

    People & Profiles

    • Power List
    • Voices in the Community
    • Sitting Down With
    • Authors & Contributors
  • Business & Education

    Business & Education

    • Innovation
    • Business & Entrepreneurship
    • Career Pathways
  • Events
    • Live Events
    • Webinars
  • Multimedia
    • Video
Subscribe
Subscribe

False

The Analytical Scientist / Issues / 2023 / Sep / Breaking the Lab Shopping Cycle
Data and AI News and Research Technology Business & Entrepreneurship Cannabis Science

Breaking the Lab Shopping Cycle

We need effective strategies to help cannabis testing labs, regulators, and consumers address THC inflation

By Arun Apte 09/27/2023 2 min read

Share

The wave of cannabis legalization in the US has resulted in a rapid expansion of the industry – predicted to reach $82.3 billion by 2027 (1). Various cannabis-related enterprises are emerging, from businesses focused on processing, testing, and distribution of cannabis products to those providing legal, financial, and consulting services.

But with growth comes growing pains. One such pain is “THC inflation” – the act of reporting falsely high THC concentrations. Strains with less than 10 percent THC are classified as low THC strains, while those with over 20 percent THC are considered high THC strains. In the world of cannabis, the phrase “less is more” is rarely heard, and high THC products command premium pricing.

In this same world, some cannabis testing labs attract more business by backing up these high THC claims. Welcome to lab shopping, where the highest THC concentrations and not the most accurate results win the day. Shockingly (at least to me), the practice has become so common that some labs openly promote their services based on high THC numbers… 

Nevertheless, in the world of THC inflation and lab shopping, nice guys and girls finish last. In the short term, fraudulent and unethical producers and labs steal all the business. In the long term, customer trust in the whole industry is lost.

To control THC inflation, we must get behind establishing a universal testing standard within the industry. To prevent anomalies, samples should be analyzed by multiple labs, which would allow the state to promptly act against purposely inflated THC numbers. Regular audits through state regulatory bodies would also be most welcome. And I believe it should also be mandatory for labs to obtain ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, which would demonstrate their proficiency in and commitment to generating (and reporting) reliable results.

Finally, with bias admitted, I believe the adoption of laboratory information management systems (LIMS) would be a game-changer for the industry. Here’s my elevator pitch: By integrating analytical instruments and ensuring strict adherence to quality standards, LIMS help minimize the potential for human error in test results. Moreover, such systems also leave no room for manual (read: nefarious!) manipulation because they can precisely track laboratory activity – from staff login activities to changes in documents, sample records, and test results. LIMS can effectively manage QC sample results and identify analytical errors, providing extra confidence in the results. All of these important aspects would, of course, smooth the path to ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

All that sounds great. But we also have a chance to win back customers. How? LIMS can generate reports with a scannable QR code, which can be shared with customers in real-time. If this QR code leads to the original Certificate of Analysis generated by the lab, consumers can verify the composition of the product they’re purchasing – and allow them to understand what products work and maybe even why. Such increased transparency can only build greater customer trust and loyalty – and perhaps lead us all away from THC inflation.

Image credit: Arun Apte

Newsletters

Receive the latest analytical science news, personalities, education, and career development – weekly to your inbox.

Newsletter Signup Image

References

  1. Markets and Markets (2022). Available at: http://bitly.ws/JaRQ. 

About the Author(s)

Arun Apte

CEO, CloudLIMS, Delaware, USA

More Articles by Arun Apte

False

Advertisement

Recommended

False

False

The Analytical Scientist
Subscribe

About

  • About Us
  • Work at Conexiant Europe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 Texere Publishing Limited (trading as Conexiant), with registered number 08113419 whose registered office is at Booths No. 1, Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, England, WA16 8GS.