The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced they are recruiting labs from around the world to test approved samples for THC accuracy. NIST hopes that by offering testing samples, best practices will become established across all labs. It would be for continued accuracy and consistency in all samples. Testing will be on the flower of the hemp plant. This part of the plant has previously been the hardest part to test accurately. This expands on a previous experiment NIST conducted. That experiment worked on defining the difference between hemp and marijuana in the summer of 2020.

NIST expects samples to ship Mid-April. Enrollment ends February 5th. Each enrolled lab must document results and processes used to achieve said results. Once all results are received from each lab, NIST plans to release the results to the general public. Each lab would remain anonymous in order to show the public how many or how few variables are present when testing for THC. Plus, showing the different testing processes labs conduct. This variability would speak to the continued difficulty many facilities have when testing for various THC levels.

After NIST analyzes the results from all participating labs, a discussion will take place on the different practices used. This is in order to come up with a consensus on the best and most efficient testing process. Testing would not only be for THC levels, but for other cannabinoids as well. Labs will be sent more samples to retest using the best testing practice decided by everyone. New results will be reported back to NIST once complete. 

Why Testing Collaboration Matters

The idea behind this analysis is to make sure that all results are as similar as possible. “If you’re going to confiscate a farmer’s crop, or subject a person to prosecution, you want to be sure that measurement is accurate,” said NIST research chemist Brent Wilson. This is what has inspired the team to conduct such thorough research. 

Many different labs have already enrolled for the testing. Many are private labs, but one police department has enrolled. Others enrolled include the USDA, a lab from Canada, and a lab from the Netherlands. NIST is trying to create a worldwide standard for testing THC and other cannabinoids. They are excited to see how many labs enroll and what results will come about. 

After results return from labs using the established best practices, NIST will work on a hemp reference material. This would be a spreadsheet that shows the results. Additionally, it shows how each result came about and the tests used to reach those results. This reference material will be distributed to labs across the country, including participants. It will also become available to those asking for it around the world. It shows each test conducted and the results gathered from them. 

One reason that accurate measurements can be difficult to come by is that reference materials for cannabis aren’t widely available. NIST plans to change that and makes everything available for consistency and accuracy across all labs. This will help with independent and federal labs coming to the same results. Additionally, it will keep things consistent for producers and consumers to know that everything is accurate and safe.

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