Medical marijuana patients in Arizona still run the risk of buying products that are tainted with pesticides, herbicides or even mold. But as of Nov. 1, 2020, patients will no longer need to fear for pollutants or leftover solvents in their medicine, thanks to a new testing law passed by the Arizona Legislature.
SB 1494, signed into law by Gov. Doug Ducey June 7, established several changes to the state’s medical marijuana laws.
First, cardholders will only have to renew their cards every two years as opposed to every year, effectively cutting the current renewal fee of $150 in half. And since patients will only have to visit the doctor every other year for their renewal recommendation, patients will save money on that front, too.
On top of saving patients money, SB 1494 will establish strict requirements for dispensaries to test all of their products, not only for potency but for contaminants and solvents as well. Dispensaries—many of which already work with independent labs—must appoint a certified third-party testing facility.
Even before the Arizona Supreme Court ruled in May that cannabis extracts were legal under the voter-approved medical marijuana program, the industry was clearly moving toward the oily concentrates, which are used in vape pens, tinctures and edibles as well as sold under names such as wax and crumble. The extracts offer reliable dosing and convenience for many patients.
For this reason, the new testing standards that will be implemented by SB 1494 will help ensure patients are getting safer meds. Concentrates are created with solvents like butane and CO2, so it is a no-brainer to require that test results are easily accessible for patients, who have every right to know if their medicine is tainted with harmful pollutants.
Requiring laboratory testing is a logical and necessary step by Arizona lawmakers to assure that Arizona’s 200,000 card-holding patients are receiving clean and safe medicine.
Be aware, the testing requirements will not be implemented until Nov. 1, 2020. So until then, there is a chance that moldy buds and butane-riddled concentrates could be on the shelves of dispensaries statewide. Even once the law goes into effect, it will still up to patients and caregivers to request this information.
Many dispensaries do advertise lab results, but it’s primarily to advertise THC/CBD cannabinoid content. If you’re lucky, a microbial and pesticide test may be posted. Even so, this is something you have to dig for, and it’s a practice that is at the discretion of the dispensary until November.
The use of CBD, a non-intoxicating active ingredient in cannabis, is useful for patients who are sensitive to the side-effects of marijuana caused by THC—the intoxicating, psychoactive part of the plant. CBD can be used to treat many of the same symptoms treated by THC without the intoxication. When considering the example of a child who may need CBD to treat their seizures, THC would be considered a pollutant in their medicine. Accountability for the accuracy of labeled levels of cannabinoids like THC and CBD needs to be vetted as well. ■
This article appears in Jun 20-26, 2019.
Then their is the person that does not use pesticides does not grow in an artificial environment of soil or washing nutrients over roots in a hydro environment. This is where mold pesticides VOC bred and multiply.
This is what this new legislation protects at the detriment of affordability to the patient.
All of this new rules and administration is prop 205 in the back door and still no relief on the criminality of use and posession.
The 2 year rule on license is per and simple chump change of the chump stoner. And this is hat Friese and Handly negotiated this is what they think of us huh. I print the form from ADHS/mmj when I see my doctor 3 months I have my doctor fill it out sent it myself. cost is $150.00 last 3 years running I do this for my SNAP friends as well as others Then again we are using it as therapy not social political identity. like any government program is made to profit and then then cracks appear.
This does nothing for the dispensary, What it does is makes all Arizona patients responsible for all product.
EVEN THE PRODUCT SOLD OUT OF STATE az PATIENTS PAYS FOR THE THE CROP INSURANCE THIS BLOWS MY MIND WHAT A F–KING FLEECING
Set’s up a product BUY back for bad product like the USDA runs it’s department of agriculture this is unbelievable.
I PROPOSE A 500% PRODUCT TARIFF ON ANY PRODUCT SOLD OUT OF STATE TO PAY FOR THIS. WHATS LEFT GOES TO EDUCATION.
better yet legalize in 2020 put this monster out in a barren pasture covered with the cleaning of the barn
I read this several times there is so many things wrong with this the testing for all edible products is a right way to go. However the guy selling infused taco sauce which many have hawked me on how do you dose with taco sauce total BS. I as patient paying for this or the cannagar 1 ounce of highly infuse THC wrapped in leaves then lite on fire yea a healthy smoke! blow it up somebody elses patuti.
This has organized crime written all over it another process of “TBD” by a director and all the fish to the chum.
Give retired police, master’ of education that give us what we call education today, Fire and rescue to get paid for what they are already paid for then all is paid for.
Then clear to business anyway you want. Get them hooked raise the price control access to production abilities prosecute all that dont comply. Might as well be run by a corporate of Chinese control and market this is their style let you take as little as we have the whole
We dont need a solution to a problem that is never there. In California the problem with rolling out legalization and product control was producers.
Producers brought samples found to be contaminated so the producers sold it on the black market and gave it to employees for work compensation and so forth.
So the powers that be used this as an example for this travesty and fleecing.
Never has Arizona’s underground market matched a single digit of California’s marijuana production or market a false narrative with Arizona fake news and truth.
this article has ignored the effect that background contamination has. I submit that any soil existing in Arizona or anywhere else contains things like radiation, lead, cadmium, pesticides and insecticides used since the industrial revolution. Likely the levels are below levels as recommended by EPA, et al. Produce has been eaten from soil containing chemicals referenced in this article and life as we know it continues to exist. Retesting commercial pot is a waste of time and money. if you are a user and worried that you might not live forever, treat your own soil and grow your own product. Besides if you don’t challenge your immune system, it’s reliability can be compromised.