This webinar is focused on explaining the testing and analysis laws for marijuana in Colorado. Dr. Andy LaFrate, the President of Charas Scientific, goes over the testing law requirements and outlines what kind of testing is required, who must test and how often. This video is a great resource for anyone looking to learn about the new testing requirements that went into effect in Colorado's legal marijuana industry in 2014.

1. Colorado's Marijuana Testing
Requirements Webinar
Dr. Andy LaFrate, PhD
President, Charas Scientific
August 27th, 2014

2. Overview
• Introduction
• Testing Categories
• Potency
• Contaminants
• Testing Requirements
• Services offered by Charas Scientific
• Summary and Future Webinars

3. Introduction: Andy LaFrate
• PhD chemist with over a decade of lab experience
• Began working as consultant in Colorado’s marijuana
industry in 2012
• Participant on several working groups to determine
marijuana regulations in Colorado
• Employed at one of the largest MIPs in Colorado
• Left to found Charas Scientific in February 2014

4. Introduction: Charas Scientific
• State-licensed marijuana testing and research lab
• Located in Denver, Colorado
• Performs cannabinoid potency testing and analysis
for chemical and biological contaminants
• “More than Just a Testing Lab”
• Contract R&D, Strategic Partnerships
• Consulting and Production Optimization Services

5. From the Industry,
For the Industry.
• Charas Scientific is a product of Colorado’s marijuana
industry and brings a fresh approach to testing
• We understand cannabis at the molecular level and
empower our clients to use that knowledge
• Charas delivers more than just results, we offer solutions to
problems that we find in testing
• Our team of scientists innovate new products and methods
to take cannabis to the next level

6. Potency Testing
• All retail marijuana including flower,
concentrates and edibles must be
tested for potency prior to sale
• Product must be labelled with potency
test results
• Cannabinoids required:
• THC, THCA, CBD, CBDA, CBN

7. Chemical Contaminant Testing
• Some chemical contaminant testing is
mandatory, and some is random.
• The testing rules are dynamic, so it is
important to stay current on them to avoid
violations
• Current Mandatory Testing (August 2014)
• Residual Solvents
• Current Random Testing
• Pesticides and Heavy Metals

8. Residual Solvent Testing
• All concentrates made with chemical
solvents must be tested for residuals
• Solvents allowed for use: propane,
butane, acetone, ethanol, isopropanol,
water, heptane and CO2
• Current Approved Solvent Limits
• Butane < 800 ppm (parts per million)
• Heptane < 500 ppm

9. Biological Contaminant Testing
• Biological contaminant testing is
required for most retail marijuana
including flower, edibles and some
concentrates
• Must test for harmful E. coli,
Salmonella and Aspergillus
• Current limits for all microbes are
<1 CFU (colony forming unit)

10. Who Must Test?
• All retail marijuana products must
be tested prior to sale by the
producer
• Growers AKA OPCs
• Infused product and extraction
companies AKA MIPs
• Retail stores are generally not
required to test products

11. How Often Do You Test?
• Every harvest batch and production batch must be tested for potency
• Pooling of packages or harvest and production batches produced within 7
days is allowed for contaminant testing
• Validation program is designed to reduce testing burden on producers
• Once validated, producers only need to test 10% of batches for
contaminants

12. OPC Validation
• Cultivation Facilities (OPCs) can be
validated to reduce testing burden
• Potency: Test four harvest batches
produced three weeks apart within six
months
• Contaminants: Test every harvest
batch for 12 weeks, minimum of 12
batches separated by 6 days

13. MIP Validation
• Marijuana Infused Product companies
(MIPs) can be validated to reduce
testing burden
• Potency: Every batch of concentrate
and edible must be tested
• Contaminants: Every batch within 4
week period, minimum of 4 batches
separated by 6 day period

14. What We Do at Charas
• Team of scientists specialized in analysis and
research
• Full service, State-licensed marijuana testing lab
• Potency Testing
• Residual Solvent and Terpene Testing
• Microbial Testing
• Pesticide Testing
• Heavy Metals Testing (coming early 2015)
• Contract R&D, consulting and production
optimization services

15. Summary
• Colorado’s marijuana testing laws are complex and
dynamic, and understanding them is critical
• Potency testing is required now for all retail
products
• Contaminant testing will begin October 2014
• Medical marijuana testing will likely begin in 2015
• Validation program allows producers to decrease
testing
• Understanding test results and taking action to fix
problems is key to success in competitive market

16. Resources & Contact
• Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED):
www.colorado.gov/revenue/medicalmarijuana
• Colorado Retail Marijuana Rules:
R700 and R1500 Series are focused on testing
• Charas Scientific:
www.charasscientific.com
• Andy LaFrate – President, Charas Scientific:
andy@charasscientific.com 720.467.8015

17. Future Webinar Topics
• How Do We Test?
• A series of webinars focused on specific testing methods for
potency and contaminants such as HPLC, GC and qPCR
• Testing Validation
• Dedicated to helping producers understand the validation
process to reduce testing and save money
• Consulting and Production Optimization
• Highlights how Charas Scientific helps clients understand test
results and empowers them to use that knowledge to better
their business.

18. Thank
you!