Quality Assurance
Importance of Cannabis Testing
As various news outlets have reported, a growing number of reports surrounding an unidentified vaping related illness has created a serious public health concern with more questions than answers.Berkeley Patients Group (BPG) has been dedicated to providing safe, clean, quality-controlled cannabis for 20 years. We have always prioritized responsible sourcing and have established long-term partnerships with providers that exceed mandated quality standards. It is why we pioneered the development of cannabis testing standards over ten years ago.
To date, we are not aware of any respiratory-related illness caused by a product sold at BPG or any other licensed California dispensary. While there are many unknowns at this time, BPG is using every resource at our disposal to promote consumer safety and to provide timely information.
Contaminants and chemicals found in un-tested products can be very harmful if consumed by patients, especially those with weak immune systems or those treating serious medical conditions. As CBD and other cannabinoids gain wider popularity, more un-regulated and un-tested products will be available to consumers across the world.
BPG Quality Guarantee
We stress the importance of obtaining your cannabis, including CBD, from a licensed dispensary. At Berkeley Patients Group, it is our guarantee that every single product is lab-tested to ensure that it is absolutely safe for consumption by our patients.
BPG’s testing is performed by an independent cannabis analytics laboratory in compliance with Berkeley Municipal Code § 12.27.070. We independently verify any laboratory results provided by our vendors.
Safety
Medicine that fails any tests for contamination is not offered to our patients. Each medicine is tested for:
01
Pesticides
A combination of enzyme-linked immuno assays and gas chromatography is used to test for pesticide residue including organophospate and carbamate pesticides, pyrethroid pesticides, and avermectins (Avid).
02
Microbial contaminants
An aerobic plate count (APC) methodology is used to test for microbial contamination including bacteria, fungus, and mold. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to identify specific contaminants like e. coli.
03
Residual flammable solvents
Headspace analysis is used to test for the presence of residual solvents in all applicable products (i.e. extracts).
Potency
Potency refers to the quantity of each active ingredient in a particular medical cannabis product. Active ingredients include any cannabinoid or propyl cannabinoid derivative when present in amounts greater than 0.5% by dry weight, and any mono-or sesquiterpenoid present in amounts greater than 0.3% by dry weight. We test for the following key compounds:
- Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCA)
- Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
- Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA)
- Cannabidiol (CBD)
- Cannabinol (CBN)
These compounds are quantitated using liquid chromatography and/or gas chromatography with derivatization. BPG maintains records of all medicine by batch, including the corresponding laboratory test result data for each batch, in compliance with Berkeley Municipal Code §
Return Policy
All returns and exchanges require proof of purchase, including cartridges. Management reserves the right to decline a return for any reason.
Additional Information
To learn more about lab-tested medical cannabis at BPG, please visit our dispensary and ask one of our trained specialists or e-mail us at info@myBPG.com.
