Spectroscopy Techniques

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

Mislabeled cannabis medicines are an on-going problem; here we discuss appropriate technologies for cannabis dispensaries to do their own testing.

Why Dispensaries Need In-House Testing

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?

In this interview, Jeffrey Williams the CEO of Exum Instruments discusses the details of how laser ablation laser ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometer (LALI-TOF-MS) is set to solve some of the many of the issues involved in sample preparation for the cannabis industry.

Sample Prep for Cannabis Made Easier

 A novel mid-infrared spectrometer that measures total THC in dried, ground cannabis plant material in 2 min is discussed as well as the applications of this analyzer for law enforcement, forensic laboratories, and regulatory agencies.

Distinguishing Hemp from Marijuana by Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy

Applications of a quantitative mid-infrared spectrometer for hemp farmers, hemp extractors, state regulators, and law enforcement are discussed.

Quantitation of Cannabinoids in Dried Ground Hemp by Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy

A robust method for identifying heavy metals in cannabis samples using ICP-MS is discussed as well as highlights of the importance of sample preparation methods for a wide range of cannabis products.

Multielement Analysis of Heavy Metals in Cannabis Samples Using ICP-MS

Fluorescence spectroscopy was investigated as an in-line process monitoring tool for cannabis distillation to alleviate the challenges of specialized personnel, high costs, and low yields.

In Situ Fluorescence Spectroscopy for In-Line Distillation Process Monitoring

Lake Superior State University (LSSU) announced a strategic partnership with Agilent Technologies to facilitate education and research in cannabis chemistry and analysis through the LSSU Cannabis Center of Excellence (CoE).

Lake Superior State University Partners with Agilent to Launch Cannabis Center of Excellence

Too often, cannabis laboratories get different results on the same sample. There are a number of causes and solutions. In this installment, the problem is presented along with its causes.

Inter-Lab Variation in the Cannabis Industry, Part I: Problem and Causes

Cannabis distillate samples spiked with known amounts of pesticides were submitted to five cannabis testing laboratories-here are the results.