Lab on Maui is approved to test pakalolo products

The state has certified Maui’s first medical marijuana laboratory to test the purity of the drug for Hawaii’s dispensaries.

Pharmlab Hawaii LLC received the green light to begin testing pot and manufactured cannabis products. It is the second cannabis testing laboratory in Hawaii.

The first lab, Steep Hill Hawaii, opened on Oahu in July. The Department of Health anticipates certifying a third firm, Oahu-based Aeos Labs — operated by Clinical Labs of Hawaii — by January.

“With a certified laboratory now on Maui, dispensaries will no longer have to transport cannabis samples to Oahu for testing, which could potentially reduce costs and allow for faster approval time,” Wanda Chang, DOH environmental health analytic services branch chief, said in a news release. “Dispensaries also now have a choice of laboratories for testing cannabis plant material.”

Medical marijuana must be tested for heavy metals such as arsenic, pesticides, solvents, moisture content, microbial contaminants, intestinal bacteria and pathogens, dangerous molds and toxins before being sold to patients.

“The reality is that even if they’re cleared based on the same requirements from the state … each of the labs have unique qualities and expertise,” said Michael Takano, CEO of Pono Life Maui, the island’s second dispensary, which opened for appointments only last month. “Each of the labs have their own specialties. As an industry, we need to have multiple labs. We need to have choices. This will help us further our product development and quality assurance in creating the best products for patients.”