Leading the Way in Cannabis Testing

Date: 13 Aug 2020
Author: Hill Laboratories

In 2017, the New Zealand Government introduced legislation to develop a medicinal cannabis industry in New Zealand to make products more accessible. The Medicinal Cannabis Scheme came into effect on the 1st of April 2020 and products are only available to patients on prescription from a doctor. This scheme enables the commercial cultivation of cannabis for medicinal use and the manufacture and supply of cannabis-based ingredients, starting material and medicinal cannabis products.

Hill Laboratories is committed to partnering with licensed companies that are undertaking research and development in the medicinal cannabis space, and our commitment to innovation has placed us at the forefront of cannabis testing in New Zealand.

Here are the new services that are now available:

Cannabinoid Testing

In May this year, Hills’ cannabinoid method gained ISO 17025 accreditation. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in cannabis, including THC and CBD. This test covers Δ9-THC, THCA, CBD, CBDA as well as Δ8-THC, CBN, CBG, and CBC.

Terpenes Testing

Our Terpenes method has now been validated and is available for the analysis of dried cannabis and oils.Terpenes are a fragrant class of chemical compound found in flora, which gives them their distinctive flavors. Cannabis is known to be a rich source of terpenes, and there is great interest in terpenes currently as their synergistic effects with cannabinoids are investigated.

Microbiology Testing

We have validated methods for Aerobic Plate Count (APC), Yeast & Mould, Salmonella, E.Coli, Pseudomonas and BTGNB. These tests have been submitted to International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) for accreditation, and are available now.

Heavy Metals Testing

Our heavy metals method has been validated and is available. The profile includes the four elements as prescribed in the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations 2019, which are arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.

Pesticide Residues Testing

Hill Labs can offer pesticide analysis in cannabis, and development is underway to include all the pesticides listed in the regulations.

Aflatoxin Testing

Aflatoxins are naturally occurring toxins produced by certain fungi that are found on agricultural crops. We have ongoing method development to test for aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2, as well as Ochratoxin A.

As a 100% New Zealand owned and operated laboratory, Hill Labs is committed to providing the New Zealand medicinal cannabis industry with world-class analytical testing services. We are working towards gaining GMP certification and will continue to expand our service offering in this new and exciting field of research and product development.

To arrange testing, please get in touch with our Food & Bioanalytical Client Services Team through fnb.csm@hill-labs.co.nz.