The Basics Of Cannabis Testing Regulations: Fungus, Bacteria and More

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The cannabis industry is young and growing, but also constantly transforming and evolving as a result of that growth. One of the areas in which cannabis professionals are seeing the most change is in industry regulations. Because national, and federal standards have not yet been developed, cannabis businesses are governed by the laws of the state in which they operate — a scenario that can make for confusing and at times unclear direction as cannabis professionals navigate this new landscape.

Safety is at the root of the regulations that do exist and remains the greatest concern as cannabis businesses grow, package and distribute their product. Testing for and preventing the growth of fungus, bacteria, and other contaminants are critical steps in consumer safety. In this article, we will take a closer look at why cannabis safety is so important, what regulations exist and the steps that cannabis growers can take to meet safety standards.

Why Is Cannabis Safety Important?

Cannabis safety and the integrity of the product are critical concerns for numerous reasons, primarily because it is a product intended to be ingested into the body. For this reason, any contaminants present in the product can pose a serious risk to the user. Furthermore, given the increased prevalence of medical cannabis usage, immunocompromised and otherwise vulnerable patients may be exposed to contaminants, posing even more serious danger. Cannabis growers must remain vigilant against these risks in order to maintain the safety and well-being of end users.

The nature of indoor cannabis growth will often create an environment that is conducive to the growth and survival of mold, bacteria and other potential contaminants, so facility operators must be equipped to control conditions to resist their proliferation as much as possible. They must also be able to carry out the necessary tests to identify the presence of mold, bacteria and any other pathogens that local regulations require. Finally, cannabis manufacturers must be aware of what to do in the event that unacceptable levels of contaminants are detected.

What Regulations Exist for the Cannabis Industry?

As mentioned above, cannabis regulations differ by state, with no single set of uniform regulations for the national industry at this time. State regulations are stringent and focused on the safety of the product for its users. Many state regulations are similar in that they require testing for certain contaminants, and dictate that any product with unacceptable levels of contaminants must be destroyed. Beyond the safety concerns — which should always remain the primary driving factor for a cannabis manufacturer — the loss of product can represent a major blow to the bottom line.

The general battery of tests that most state regulations require include:

  • Total yeast and mold
  • Select mold strains
  • Salmonella
  • E. coli
  • Total aerobic presence
  • Total enteric presence

Some states may require testing for even more pathogens, such as New York, which requires testing for Mucor spp, Streptococcus spp, Aspergillus spp, and several more. Cannabis manufacturers are also increasingly developing their own sets of in-house standards and regulations, which may exceed those of their state. This may be an additional safeguard against contaminants in order to protect customers — and the business. It also may serve as a way of preparing for the federal regulations that are bound, one day, to be in place.

Furthermore, contaminants can present a risk to growers and other personnel in the facility, so regulations are a key way to protect cannabis workers.


How Cleanrooms Can Help Meet Safety Standards

In order to meet regulatory standards while keeping end users and workers safe, many cannabis facilities are adopting cleanroom settings and practices for their growth operations. Cleanrooms are closed, controlled environments used extensively in industrial, medical and food-grade manufacturing in order to minimize the risk of contaminants making their way to the products being manufactured.

Cleanrooms achieve this through several methods: design considerations, controlled airflow and stringent procedures that all personnel in the cleanroom must follow. Read on for more details on each of these principles:

  • Cleanroom design: Cleanrooms are designed to, to the extent possible, prevent external contaminants from entering the controlled area. Design elements that contribute to this include:
    • Easy-to-clean, non-porous surfaces: Contaminants cannot become embedded and can be easily removed.
    • Humidity-resistant surfaces: Humidity is one of the main contributors to contaminant proliferation and survival. By building with materials that resist humidity and condensation buildup, cleanrooms can be that better able to combat mold, bacteria and other contaminants.
    • Modular construction: Modular, prefabricated cleanroom construction is one of the most effective ways to ensure tight seals and a fully controlled environment.
  • Controlled airflow: Depending on a cleanroom’s rating (the number of contaminants that are permissible in the cleanroom environment), the air in the room may be cycled out up to 48 times each hour. Cleanrooms achieve this through a carefully designed airflow system that uses HEPA filters to ensure that contaminants do not reenter the area.
  • Personnel procedures: Cleanroom access is closely controlled, and anyone entering a cleanroom must follow proper preparation, gowning and cleaning procedures. Proper procedures must also be followed in the cleanroom to minimize and prevent any cross-contamination. 

Cannabis industry regulation will only continue to evolve and change as the industry grows. With this understanding of the current regulatory landscape, as well as what is likely to be in the future, you are equipped to start thinking about what the right choices are for your own facility.

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