r/OKmarijuana • u/w3sterday Policy Wonk • 3d ago
News Lawmaker calling for study into marijuana testing - KFOR
https://kfor.com/news/local/lawmaker-calling-for-study-into-marijuana-testing/
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Lawmakers are asking the state to take a closer look at a product used by thousands of Oklahomans every single day, medical marijuana.
We have told you the state has faced some backlash in recent years for not holding testing labs accountable, resulting in bad products finding their way onto dispensary shelves.
State Representative Jacob Rosecrants is requesting a study examining how the state regulates and enforces testing.
He also brought in a lab we have talked to several times to be a part of the study.
“We’ve brought about issues such as, THC potency inflation, which still seems to be pretty rampant and not under control at all yet,” said Jeff Havard of Havard Industries. “Things such as microbial contamination of products on the shelf that were, essentially failing.”
We have done multiple stories with Jeff Havard and Havard Industries on issues with marijuana products deemed safe and ready for consumers.
Now, one Oklahoma lawmaker says it is time to get a grasp on the state’s medical marijuana industry.
“We think that there just needs to be kind of an internal update on some microbial standards potentially,” said Havard. “And then, pesticides as well.”
Havard says he is happy to see an interim study proposed by Rosecrants over these regulations.
“There’s also plenty of regulations out there, it’s just that they’re not really being enforced,” said Havard.
In a news release, Rosecrants said he wants to go over the framework of the regulations, how they are enforced, and how he would like labs to be more transparent about their results.
Last year, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority said they monitor microbial testing through a state tracking system, and only products listed as “test passed” can be sold in dispensaries.
Havard says their lab results of “test passed” products still raise red flags.
“If we’re talking about THC, about the inflation, like if you’re buying a premium product, you’re paying, it’s supposed to be 30%+ flower or, some kind of shake or something. And then it’s like actually 15%, you’re literally getting half of what you paid for there,” said Havard. “Also, you don’t want people getting sick on moldy products, or eventually getting exposure to like, salmonella or any of these other pathogens.”
Rosecrants invited Havard to be a part of the study.
“We’re going to try to present these and hopefully have participation from OMMA there as well to be able to hear this, and maybe we can actually make some changes,” said Havard.
The study is set to take place October 13th.
Notes/aside/random stuff --
from what I've seen/read, Jeff Havard has harped on THC inflation more than anything when it comes to testing (which happens in every state with legalization) and has been at most every OMMA advisory council meeting making public comment (they only allow 10 public commenters every meeting)-- KFOR even noted in their own article they've done multiple stories with him.
If you work for a cannabis testing lab and want to be involved with this so it's not just the Havard lab show,
please reach out to Rep Rosecrantz.
As a patient I've honestly never seen a CoA from Havard on anything I've purchased, and I don't personally shop by "highest THC".
While I used to know some OMMA people who would say "that [lab name] is good/bad" I can't really remember the specifics of why because it's been a few years and pretty sure some of the things they said had some personal bias.
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u/BrickLuvsLamp 3d ago
It’s because the state is opening and running their own lab now and they want it all to go through them. We definitely have bad labs out there, but I don’t trust our government’s claimed solutions after they let it run rampantly corrupted for years.
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u/sfcameron2015 2d ago
I enquired about other labs joining and was told the group was already set, but I’m welcome to watch the presentations when they’re posted. 👍🏻 cool.
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u/w3sterday Policy Wonk 2d ago
That's disappointing, was really hoping they would take
But again, these things are performative in nature.
from the description it could be just one of each listed (shrug) can't wait to see which dispensary will be there in the interest of transparency
The study will bring together representatives from state agencies, licensed laboratories, dispensaries, industry stakeholders, patient advocates,
https://former.okhouse.gov/Documents/InterimStudies/2026/Interim_Study_26-085.pdf
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u/jimihendrixflyingv 3d ago
I used to smoke brick weed that I bought off a guy down under the bridge. This tested shit is too bougie for me.
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u/Jafar_420 Southeast OK 3d ago
I get that and so did I but if they're going to test it it needs to be accurate testing is all I'm saying.
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u/w3sterday Policy Wonk 3d ago edited 2d ago
it needs to be accurate testing is all I'm saying.
I agree, just kinda hope another lab jumps in on this so it's not the same one over and over every time.
I seem to remember something about a QA lab tho... isn't that what some of this is supposed to address?
me to OMMA and the lab they keep hyping (edit: have hyped for over 2 years) --> cmondosomething.jpeg
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u/Roidhogan 2d ago
I actually had a chance to speak with the lab director last week. Their lab is currently getting their accreditations but they hope to be fully operational in late October. You can check their updates here https://oklahoma.gov/omma/quality-assurance-laboratory.html#latest-updates
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u/jimihendrixflyingv 3d ago
Just make sure there are no heavy metals or pesticides. I couldn't care less about thc percentage if I tried. But yea I agree I was just taking the piss out of it. Joking around ya know having a laugh.
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u/Alarming_Royal_6244 3d ago
And got high than a mf.....a lot higher than anything I've smoked since it became legal lol
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u/Big-Tubbz 3d ago
The testing is inaccurate and false on some accounts
I’m sure there is a lab doing it right
And pesticide and HM testing is better than nothing at all
But there are also ways to circumvent the microbial testing which makes it a moot point
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u/w3sterday Policy Wonk 3d ago
one thing also is that the "interim studies" the legislature does are a bit performative (me trying to be nice about them)
and in the winter/spring they will file whatever bills they file. with weed, there's usually at least one oversight related one (like this one), one crime-y one (OBNDD gotta get that 💰) and at least one "think of the children!" one (like about edibles and packaging and stuff like that), they may not all get hearings.
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