Maui’s first pot lab cleared to start operations
COURTESY ALOHA GREEN
In this undated photo, marijuana plants are seen as part of the first harvest of Aloha Green — a legal medicinal marijuana dispensary. The state has certified Maui’s first medical marijuana laboratory, Pharmlab Hawaii LLC, to test the purity of the drug from Hawaii’s dispensaries, patients and caregivers.
The state has certified Maui’s first medical marijuana laboratory to test the purity of the drug from Hawaii’s dispensaries, patients and caregivers.
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.
