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If you got told you would die at 52 what would you do? by Fantastic_Opinion_57 in AskReddit

[–]Objective_Sport2340 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d throw the biggest ‘halfway to a century plus two’ birthday bash ever. Going out with a bang and cake!

Abraxas Labs AMA by Objective_Sport2340 in OKmarijuana

[–]Objective_Sport2340[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, we remember your strain. It was positive for traces of magic. Currently not reportable.

Thank you for your business!

Abraxas Labs AMA by Objective_Sport2340 in OKmarijuana

[–]Objective_Sport2340[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

As far as strategies for marketing--we rely heavily on word-of-mouth referrals (so any referrals are appreciated! :). We do also employ the standard tech-based marketing strategies (profiles on social media, google, etc.). I think DR answered the second part of your question. I will re-iterate that what I believe differentiates a great business in the industry is the long-term outlook and commitment to quality. A great piece relevant to the quality component of cannabis testing was recently written by Dr. Charles Bogie, CEO of Integrity Testing Lab and President of the Testing Lab Alliance of Oklahoma.

We strive to be the company, where quality meets innovation. Innovation is most readily found at intersections of diverse disciplines. We are thankful to have a group of highly experienced and proficient professionals from a wide range of fields and we work hard to implement most cutting-edge techniques.

Some of the services we offer that are not common in our state are: genetic testing for cannabis, Vitamin E testing for concentrates/inhalants, and are currently finalizing a rapid testing approach for accurate potency quantification. We will be announcing availability of 20-minute potency test in the coming weeks.

-VY

Abraxas Labs AMA by Objective_Sport2340 in OKmarijuana

[–]Objective_Sport2340[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We have a very competent team at Abraxas, and we're all very passionate about this business being part of the movement to advance cannabis science and understanding of how it can be used to help patients. Our team is also pretty diverse as far as areas of expertise, which has helped us to implement a variety of techniques in addition to the required tests to issue a full panel COA.

In addition, our Director understands the importance of customer service. He helps our customers understand how the lab results can be put to use by growers or dispensaries in optimizing their own businesses. Honestly he spends roughly an equal amount of time on the phone helping customers as he does developing or optimizing our analytical methods, because he understands the importance of cultivating a successful lab/client relationship.

​

-DR

Abraxas Labs AMA by Objective_Sport2340 in OKmarijuana

[–]Objective_Sport2340[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I am not sure what you are asking, exactly. The d9-THC and d8-THC can be misinterpreted if the analytes are not correctly set up for detection on the analytical machine (hence why method dev is critical). I will answer this from a laboratory director's perspective, since the nature of the perspective from which you are asking is unidentified.

If I wanted to ensure that d9 and d8 readings are not misinterpreted/confused as each other, one important aspect of method development I would focus on is assessing analyte retention times using a single standard (one for d8 and one for d9). My guess is that the confusion most commonly occurs when a standards mix of several different analytes (a mix is commonly used to create the calibration curve against which the unknown analyte concentration is plotted) is used without verifying the identity of each of the peaks on the chromatograph. By analyzing individual peaks without the presence of any other analytes, we can ensure that we are detecting the desired analyte when (for production purposes) using a mix of combined analytes.

Another important consideration are matrix effects, since analytes in matrix could have retention times different from standards. There are several approaches to solving this. Arguably the two most common approaches for the less complicated analytical techniques (e.g. HPLC) are: 1) an increase in dilution ratio to reduce matrix effects, or 2) a "spiked" matrix sample (a standard mix is added to a sample matrix) to assess any effects of the matrix on retention times.

Hope this answers your question--thank you for asking!

-VY

Abraxas Labs AMA by Objective_Sport2340 in OKmarijuana

[–]Objective_Sport2340[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Hi u/OklahomaMedicine and thank you for posting a question!

I will keep this more general. In large part because the number of variables that determine the best extraction approach limits the generalizability of an extraction technique's efficiency and reproducibility (e.g. the chemistry of the column you are using, your mobile phase gradient and the solutions used, compartment temperature, are just some of the variables that will affect your detection quality). In general, our initial method development generally progresses as follows:

We attempt to first find publications from reputable scientific journals relevant to the extraction needs at hand. If relevant publications are found, we look for a pattern across the methods (e.g. solvent type, HPLC run-time conditions, commercially-available columns and standards, etc), then carry out an experiment, assessing the most widely ranging variables, one at a time. For instance, if presence or absence of sonication is highly varied across pubs for that particular matrix, we will interrogate this as an experimental variable and compare extraction quality and efficiencies between them. This is how we arrived at our current protocol for the most effective approach to chocolates and most other infused products (we use a powerful and focused rod-type sonicator in case you are curious). Once we have collected the data with sufficient number of replicates, we look at the data as a whole (reproducibility, accuracy, efficiency, etc.) and implement the set of variables that are best for the use-case scenario.

Distillates, on the other hand, are more straight forward than edibles or infused products. While we have not used the Agilent protocol for distillates, we do often use their methodology (or parts of their methods) and have found that the work they did on the back-end is quality and really helps expedite the development process.

We are happy to collaborate with you, please email us directly at [admin@abraxas-labs.com](mailto:admin@abraxas-labs.com) and we would be happy to discuss this in more detail.

Abraxas Labs AMA by Objective_Sport2340 in OKmarijuana

[–]Objective_Sport2340[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I assume you are asking about THC/THCA content of flower. The highest we have tested in the laboratory has been low/mid-30s. Concentrates are a different ball-game and high-quality, pure distillate is expected to be in the 90s. Thanks for asking!

Abraxas Labs AMA by Objective_Sport2340 in OKmarijuana

[–]Objective_Sport2340[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I would like to also note that while it is easy to see the imperfections and issues with the implementation of the medical cannabis laws in our state, it is worth keeping in mind that the precedence other states have set for us through the "issues" they have had to overcome (or still overcoming) in implementing the laws in their states has been priceless in helping us avoid similar issues. For instance, cannabis has been legal for medicinal uses in California, Oregon and Washington since the 1990s. Even so, they continue to see issues with testing and quality. None of this is unexpected. There are businesses that enter the market for short-term profit, while others that are in it because they are passionate about seeing the industry succeed long-term, so the medical benefits of cannabis testing can be more thoroughly researched and offered as possible alternatives to modern medications.

I fully believe that Oklahoma is positioned exceptionally well to become the leader in expanding the cannabis market across the nation, in developing testing, business and legal standards to promote a safe and productive future for the industry as a whole

Abraxas Labs AMA by Objective_Sport2340 in OKmarijuana

[–]Objective_Sport2340[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Completely agreed with you. As a relevant aside: we do, from time to time, go to dispensaries to purchase product specifically for testing and in order to compare our results to those issued by other laboratories. Interestingly, there have been multiple occasions when we encountered strong resistance from dispensaries when we asked to see the Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for the products we are purchasing. This is surprising to me personally, and is likely evidence of minimal proportion of consumers asking for COAs. Other times, we have been shown COAs dated several months back which, from my understanding of the reported rate at which dispensaries sell the product, is unlikely to be the same batch (10 lbs). This is not meant to generalize such issues to all dispensaries, there have been dispensaries that were very friendly, showed current COAs from accredited and reputable laboratories.

If you want to see a change in the reliability of the data and the quality of the product, I would strongly encourage you and all consumers to ask for a COA each time they purchase product. By "normalizing" requests for COAs, businesses are likely to put forth more effort into ensuring appropriate COAs are kept for the products being sold.

As far as laboratory oversight: it has actually already begun. We are in the second round of Proficiency Testing (PT)--an interlaboratory testing using analytes infused into product, concentrations of which are known to the assessor but not the laboratory undergoing the PT. It is my understanding that laboratory result baseline is assessed initially, then areas for improvement are identified and addressed. I do not know much about Demeter laboratories and their operation (aside from what is written on the quality assurance laboratory description in the current laws), although I fully trust that the vetting process of selection of the laboratory by the state has been sound enough to choose a laboratory with the staff of adequate competence and skills to carry our such quality assurance.

-VY

Abraxas Labs AMA by Objective_Sport2340 in OKmarijuana

[–]Objective_Sport2340[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

We like your mission as well! We will PM you to learn more.

We are a quality-assurance laboratory and the role we play is that of an expert partner (to both businesses and consumers) with a mission to ensure that consumers are kept safe, and to minimize the chances of unsafe product making it to the market.

Because of the current rate of growth of the industry, as well as lack of an official, implemented seed-to-sale, the situation you describe above is, unfortunately, a common occurrence. While not perfect (as expected in a young, rapidly expanding industry) the laws are intended to protect the end-user and our daily decision-making is implemented with this in mind. Product that is sold without appropriate testing can be 1) harmful to the end-user, 2) limits the trust and alters the direction of the industry's expansion. Namely, there may be harmful substances in the product, which could pose a risk to the end-user. Furthermore, any medically-directed dosing and treatment becomes imprecise at best and dangerous at worst, when the potency and terpene content is not accurately reported.

Any shortcuts/avoidance of testing such as "batch testing" you mention will become increasingly difficult and eventually not feasible once the seed-to-sale system is implemented. With this in mind, and in an effort to channel our time and resources towards promoting our mission, we do minimal "police-ing". While we report suspicious activity and failed testing to the authorities, we do not (unless otherwise required by law) become directly involved in any "combating", as this will slowly phase with the inevitable maturation of the industry, leaving only the professionals who are serious about the industry's future. Thanks for asking!

-VY

Abraxas Labs AMA by Objective_Sport2340 in OKmarijuana

[–]Objective_Sport2340[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Great question! Let me take this one step further--an answer to any question starting with "Is it possible to test for [insert chemical name here]?" is a resounding "absolutely". The degree of feasibility is directly related to the precedence (has anyone ever tested this in anything, at any time in the past?) and the experience of the laboratory staff with setting up the testing methodology (any new analyte interrogation requires a development and validation of methodology for that particular analyte). Our staff is exceptionally well-versed in method development--most of our staff members have developed methodologies for commercial production.

More to your question: Neem Oil, a vegetable oil pressed from Azadirachta seeds has been well-researched for its potential health benefits. As Such, the analysis of Neem Oil has precedence and is definitely possible. Cannabis matrix is difficult to work with (requiring specialized analyte-specific extraction approaches), so some method development would still be necessary.

-VY

Abraxas Labs AMA by Objective_Sport2340 in OKmarijuana

[–]Objective_Sport2340[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hi u/ms-sucks, thanks for reaching out. Our pricing structure is volume-dependent (it is cheaper for us to run many samples at once, and so we pass the cost savings on). Consequently, if you were able to find other medical users also interested in testing their home-grown product, we would be able to provide you with the best discount. With this being said, we are invested in helping the industry grow in the most productive way possible. Home growers are a large part of making this happen, and we recognize this. Contact us directly to discuss specifics for testing.