Procedure for testing pot still in flux
Ohio is moving ahead with rules for growing, processing and selling medical marijuana, but the job of testing the product for public consumption remains up in the air.
The state law, which went into effect last September, requires an Ohio college or university to test marijuana for “potency, homogeneity and contamination” before it can be sent to dispensaries for sale. That phase is supposed to be in effect for a year prior to switching the job to private testing labs.
The problem is Ohio higher education institutions, including Ohio State University, are leery of getting involved because of potential conflict between state and federal laws regarding marijuana.
“Ohio State looks to engage as an appropriate partner while at the same time complying with federal, state and local laws,” Ohio State spokesman Ben Johnson said in a statement. “It is a challenging situation given that federal and state law are somewhat conflicted. At this time, Ohio State is not pursuing any avenues to engage in testing because of the federal limitations of marijuana as a controlled substance.”
It appears the state may skip the university step, however, and go directly to private testing.
Lindsey LeBerth of the Ohio Department of Commerce, the agency overseeing much of the medical marijuana program, said, “The program will be able to begin licensing private labs in June, which is in plenty of time for the September 2018 operational date.”
Thomas Rosenberger, executive director of National Cannabis Industry Association of Ohio, said testing is vital because marijuana, “like any plant material, can have molds that grow on it. You also want to make sure the cannabinoid levels are right.”
“Ohio public colleges have given no indication that they are willing to test medical marijuana,” Rosenberger said. “We fear that if the law requiring the testing be done by state universities is not amended, we could see delays in the implementation of Ohio’s medical marijuana program.”
Applications for testing labs are due next month.
The medical marijuana program will allow people with any of 21 illnesses and other qualifying medical conditions to obtain up to a 90-day supply of marijuana for vaping (but not smoking), as an oil, patch and in edible form. Doctors must issue a recommendation for marijuana to qualifying patients, but cannot technically prescribe the drug because of federal regulations.