Now that it’s legal: What you need to know

It’s never been easier to light up, and starting Thursday you’ll be able to purchase marijuana for recreational purposes in Oregon.

But how much do you know about what you’re smoking?

“You really want to make sure you’re asking them what you’re getting in your flower,” Plantae Health owner Jocelyn Anderson said Wednesday.

Different products produce different highs, but experts say your highest priority should be looking closer.

“It’s pretty important for individuals to ask about the microbial count, — or the microbiological screening,” said Cannalytical Research owner Carlos Cummings.

NewsChannel 21 learned consumers should always ask about how a product is going to make them feel. Ask about potency and strains, and don’t be afraid to ask the dispensary for its lab results. The shops are required to have them on site.

Anderson, whose dispensary in Madras opened just weeks ago, said her growers send their goods to labs like Cannalyltical Research and Cascadia Labs, both in Bend.

Like every state-licensed facility, all the buds she sells must have those accompanying test results.

“You can ask to see those to verify the potency is correct and that it tested negative for mold, mildew and pesticides,” Anderson said.

Certificates of analysis from Cannalytical Research show the lab performs quality control for several factors — including that the sample contains less than .1 part per million of pesticides and less than 100 CFUs –or colony forming units — of mold, mildew or yeast per gram.

“We do a host of tests the state mandates, as well as quite a few that aren’t required yet,” Cummings said.

Currently, labs are not required to test for heavy metals, manufacturing contaminants, bacteria or other potential harmful substances.

“E.coli or salmonella for instance, this is not something mandated in our state, but we’re concerned about it,” Cummings said. “Especially in edibles.”

And that’s just a small taste of rules still to come. The Oregon Liquor Control CommissIon is expected to unveil stricter lab standards next year.

“One of the main things that will be required for all testing facilities in Oregon (is) to (seek) accreditation,” Cummings said. “Any lab that wants to continue to operate and analyze for cannabis will have to meet those new stringent requirements.”

It will be quite the change for the system currently managed under the Oregon Health Authority. For years, labs that test medical marijuana have largely set their own standards and procedures when it comes to lab equipment and best practices.

“Labs are operating with their own private methods and there are several instances in the state right now where a lab is literally occupying the same operational business as a dispensary,” Cummings said. “For instance the grower, the lab and the dispensary are all the same owner — that’s probably not going to be allowed in the near future.”

Cummings said his business operates strictly as a testing facility. He said most of the marijuana his scientists inspect passes state standards.

“We do see some failures for microbial screenings as well as pesticides screenings,” Cummings said. “But I’d say less than 2 percent fail for pesticides and less than 8 to 10 percent for microbial.”

He expects as testing rules become stricter, more growers will fail inspections.

“I think you’re going to have new folks enter the market and there’s going to be a time there where they’re figuring everything out.”

Cannalytical Research’s policy is to destroy marijuana that fails testing.

While those in the business believe marijuana will only become safer as rules evolve, they all encourage consumers to be proactive now.

“You can ask about nutrients that are being used, if it’s a Sativa or an Indica or hybrid and how it’s going to make you feel,” Anderson said. “What processes are being used? How do they ensure that it’s safe for you?”

Cummings added, “Regardless of why you’re using cannabis — recreationally, medicinally — the point is, it needs to be safe.”

Consumers need to remember they are only allowed to buy 7 grams of marijuana per day for recreational use. You can also buy seed and up to four clone plants. These consumers will not be able to buy oils, topicals or edibles until sometime after 2016.

More details on the rules can be found here: http://whatslegaloregon.com/