// Medicine · Glossary

Cannabis Testing & Regulation

🩺 Medicine First mentioned: Ep. 248

The practice of laboratory testing cannabis products for potency, contaminants (mold, pesticides, heavy metals, E. coli), and proper labeling, considered essential for patient safety but subject to ongoing regulatory battles between industry profit motives and consumer protection.

Etienne Fontaine pioneered testing at Berkeley Patients Group after getting an upper respiratory infection and realizing contaminated cannabis could kill immunocompromised AIDS and cancer patients. The Turners testified against a bill to remove testing requirements for medical products while maintaining them for recreational. Eagle 20 (myclobutanil fungicide) use in unregulated grows cited as an example of why regulation is necessary.

Ep. 248 Quebec Hash Lab & Hemp Loophole Closure