Analytical Methods

Brian C. Smith, PhD, is Founder, CEO, and Chief Technical Officer of Big Sur Scientific. He is the inventor of the BSS series of patented mid-infrared based cannabis analyzers. Dr. Smith has done pioneering research and published numerous peer-reviewed papers on the application of mid-infrared spectroscopy to cannabis analysis, and sits on the editorial board of Cannabis Science and Technology. He has worked as a laboratory director for a cannabis extractor, as an analytical chemist for Waters Associates and PerkinElmer, and as an analytical instrument salesperson. He has more than 30 years of experience in chemical analysis and has written three books on the subject. Dr. Smith earned his PhD on physical chemistry from Dartmouth College. Direct correspondence to: 

Articles

A number of misconceptions people have about how to test, what to test, and when to test in the cannabis industry are dispelled.

Dispelling Cannabis Analysis Myths, Part I

A systematic literature review to identify and compare analytical methods used for the determination of cannabinoids in different matrices using LC-based systems.

Analytical Techniques Used for Analysis of Cannabinoids

This work describes an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry method for the analysis of various heavy metals in cannabis sativa plant material.

The Big Four Heavy Metals in Cannabis: Sample Preparation and Analysis via ICP-MS

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

From simple separations to detailed wavelength analysis, we examine the important concepts and techniques needed to make liquid chromatography work its best in the laboratory.

Looking with Light: Understanding the Principles of Analytical Liquid Chromatography

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?

Keystone Labs is an accredited testing facility with a good manufacturing practice (GMP) establishment license. Jodi McDonald, president and founder of Keystone Labs, based in Edmonton Alberta, Canada discusses their role in the industry.

Quality Matters: A Chat with Keystone Labs President, Jodi McDonald

Ric Cuchetto discusses the technology behind THC remediation and some of the challenges it presents.

THC Remediation: A Basic Understanding

Suggestions on how to deal with the problem of inter-laboratory error in the cannabis industry.

The Pet Lab Syndrome

Here a scientifically based representative sampling plan for hemp grows is presented, detailing how to collect composite samples, how many to collect, and how to analyze them.

A Proposed Representative Sampling Plan for Hemp Grows

A proper set of hemp standard reference materials courtesy of the University of Kentucky are now available and the implications of this for hemp testing are discussed.