Robert Thomas

Articles

The first part of this column examines the fractured nature of state-based regulations and compares it with the federal limits for pharmaceutical products and dietary supplements.

Understanding Sources of Heavy Metals in Cannabis and Hemp Consumer Products, Part I: Is the Fractured Nature of State-based Regulations Ignoring the Evidence?

The big four heavy metals required by the majority of states is totally inadequate, but how many are actually worthy of consideration? Here, Rob Thomas takes a look at the other metals and how ICP-MS can be used.

Ensuring High Data Integrity When Measuring Heavy Metals in Cannabis Consumer Products by ICP-MS: The Importance of Comprehensive Validation Procedures

Patricia Atkins is a Senior Applications Scientist with SPEX CertiPrep and a member of both the AOAC and ASTM committees for cannabis.

In this installment, we finish our discussion of energy and elements used in atomic spectroscopy by examining an important analytical technique: inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS).

Energy and Elements, Part III: Understanding and Choosing an ICP-MS

Currently in the life cycle of the cannabis industry, it is not obvious where the heavy metal regulatory landscape will end up. Clearly, the big four are not enough, but what is a realistic panel that reflects the real world of cannabinoid production?

Expanding the Panel of Heavy Metal Contaminants in Cannabis and Hemp Beyond the Big Four:  What Is the Regulatory Evidence Telling Us?

This article takes a look at the major atomic spectroscopy techniques and compares their performance characteristics and in particular examines the limits of quantitation for the four heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, and Hg) currently being regulated in cannabis and hemp by most states in the US.

Measuring Heavy Metals in Cannabis: What Atomic Spectroscopic Technique Is Right for Your Laboratory?

Here we look at different sources of potential contamination exposure that may be of concern to both the cannabis industry and the cannabis consumer.