State Agency Suspicious of High THC Buds in Washington

State programs in Washington require the testing of small samples of cannabis for salmonella, mold and other harmful substances for every yield of weed up to five pounds. They also test the THC content of the different strains, but the state Liquor Control Board has become suspicious of testing results.

From the results of laboratory testing, Washington’s recreational cannabis varies widely in THC content. Most strains average around 16% THC, but about 2.5% of cannabis has tested above 28% THC — quite high compared to most. For perspective, High Times reports some of the strongest strains from conventions held in Colorado max out at 28 percent.

Colorado’s CannLabs require a retest for strains that test higher than 27% because it is so uncommon. Considering some of the strains in Washington are climbing to the 30s and 40s in THC concentration, the LCB has reason to be suspicious.

“I have suspicions some people are… rolling it in kief and getting high scores,” said Joby Sewell, of AuricAG, a company that grows cannabis in Washington. Randy Simmons, the state’s cannabis project director, is concerned that growers may be dipping their buds in hash oil before they are tested.

To test their concerns the state agency will begin sending undercover cannabis agents to buy products from stores and have them tested to make sure growers aren’t sending in kief rolled buds for testing. If lab results don’t confirm THC labels then the Board will investigate further.

“Will we see people play games? Yes. It happens in any industry out there. Will we catch them? Yes, we will,” said Simmons.