Passing the Testing Test: Remediation Technology

Go ahead and admit it—the very word “testing” brings back panicked memories of long days and sleepless nights from our youth. Make-or break standardized tests that help to determine where you can get into college, what types of scholarships you would be eligible for, and the endless exams that littered the obstacle-course of advancement. It’s no wonder that the concept of testing makes us anxious.

In the cannabis industry, in particular, testing is big and getting better; it has been reported that the amount of testing is growing yearly at 12 percent CAGR and the value of the testing market is expected to reach $2B by 2024.

More than 60 percent of the U.S. population living in states where cannabis is legal, and Colorado, Nevada, Michigan, and Hawaii already have laws in place to limit total microbes in order for cannabis to meet regulatory requirements.

The path of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is looking more and more well-defined, with an enlarged role to play in the regulation and development of products containing cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds. The agency continues to focus on supporting scientifically rigorous testing and approval of drugs derived from cannabis and will move forward in its vital work in protecting and promoting public health with respect to these products.

So, clearly, testing is not going away. Instead of approaching the growing cavalcade of state-mandated testing with trepidation, it's best that a science-based and healthy regimen be embraced with confidence.

Remediation technology from Rad Source Technologies (a life sciences company based out of Buford, Georgia), trademarked under the name Photonic Decontamination, provides a 99.9% confidence level in the remediation of Mold, Powdery Mildew, Aspergillus, Salmonella, E. coli, and other challenging microbes. Concurrently, when compared to competitive technologies, this remediation has nominal to no impact on flower integrity, terpene levels, and THC/CBD.

What is Photonic Decontamination?

Photonic Decontamination is patented technology from Rad Source Technologies that uses efficient short wavelength electromagnetic energy (light) which is safe, clean, and already government-supported for remediating medical-grade cannabis in the Netherlands and Canada—in addition to its expanding presence in the U.S.

The technology was developed and pioneered by Rad Source Technologies. For more than 20 years, this same technology has been safely and effectively used in more than 500 renowned hospitals, universities, government, research and life science institutions worldwide for the most sensitive end-use applications. Viewed in that light, the technology has been passing tests for decades.

Of course, Rad Source isn't the only technology company out there providing remediation solutions. Some offer toxic gas or chemical treatments, which include Ozone, Chlorine Dioxide, and Ethylene Oxide. They appear to be somewhat more inexpensive (on the surface) and readily available, but don’t be fooled.

The bad news? These time-consuming processes themselves result in Terpene loss and color change. Conversely, Photonic Decontamination penetrates the flower with light and will not saturate the surface layers of a flower with disinfectants, other potentially toxic chemicals, and potential residuals.

Competitive technologies frequently require dedicated rooms for optimal safety. Rad Source Technologies instruments, which are marketed under the RS 420 family, provide onsite placement which can improve product workflow efficiency and are easily integrated into existing processes with no costs associated with outside decontamination facilities, including logistics, insurance, chain-of-custody, and shipping.

Additionally, inferior decontamination methods can lead to incomplete inactivation of mold and bacteria and their regrowth in the final product—leaving them vulnerable to the growing number of Secret Shoppers stealthily showing up at dispensaries nationwide.

This risk of microbial re-growth and re-introduction (cross-contamination) is a too-often-overlooked problem that can potentially pose a health threat to consumers and negatively impact the bottom line. It’s like having to worry about passing a test after you’ve already gotten your A-grade.

The ability of the cannabis industry to keep passing the overall tests of public acceptance and legislative approvals is paramount as it moves toward greater adoption and adaptation. A key part of ensuring ongoing public confidence relies on our ability to provide a safe and clean product that can be used both in therapeutic treatments and for adult use.

For more information please visit: radsource.com.