Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about lab testing? medical marijuana cards?

Testing

What Testing Do I Need?

While individual testing protocols will be different for each client, there are certainly some standard tests required by law to ensure any cannabis product meets the legal requirements for health and safety, and the trade standards for potency. As such, the necessary tests are detailed in Department of Health Regulations and include: water activity, moisture content, heavy metal analysis, pesticide screening, microbial assay and solvent quantitation when needed.

Note that the aforementioned tests are primarily for sale-ready products. Highly useful tests are also offered for young, growing, and mature plants, to ensure each batch is developing as intended. Early testing for example, is especially prudent for cultivators looking to hybridize, breed, or otherwise manipulate the genetic properties of a specific strain.

How Quickly Can I Get My Results?

Test turnaround times will vary depending on the volume and complexity of the scheduled tests. Overall, we aim to meet all client orders within 3-5 days of receiving the sample; Note that greater sample volumes and regular testing schedules allow our lab techs to run optimized batches — this lowers the testing cost to both the lab and the client.

When Do I Order Residual Solvents Test?

Any cannabis product that is processed in any way after harvesting/curing, or sold in any other form than dried flower, should be tested for residual solvents. This includes products like wax, shatter, edibles(baked or mixed), tinctures, e-liquids, extracts, and any other formulations that require the addition of external ingredients to regular cannabis plant-matter.

Note that, as a manufacturer, it is your duty to fully disclose your extraction methods—this is to ensure testing is done for analytes appropriate to your specific methods. In lieu of this necessity, MaryGold Labs is happy to provide any assurances you deem necessary to ensure your extraction methodology is kept confidential.

How Are Tests Done?
Testing methodology is highly varied and specialized depending on each individual test. Overall, the testing process begins with proper sample collection and sample preparation. The prepared sample is then analyzed through one of the several highly specialized and complex machines designed to quantify and qualify specific chemical properties of said sample.

The same sample or sampled material will usually pass through several tests and machines, depending on the data desired by the client. The analytical data is then collected and interpreted by our experienced lab technicians, and compiled in to a reader-friendly report for each valued client.

Do You Consult?

Yes, gladly! We are passionately supportive of any potential research or product development ideas you may have. Contact us today to set up a convenient time to meet and discuss any potential interests and ventures.

Do You Conduct QA/QC Plans?

Yes! In fact we strongly recommend them. Quality Control(QC) and Quality Assurance(QA) plans are a standard practice in any respectable large-scale manufacturing industry, because they provide assurances to both the consumer and the manufacturer alike. As such, MaryGold Labs provides initial consultations for QA/QC plans on a per-client basis completely free—and we encourage any cultivators (large- or small-scale) to thoroughly explore quality testing practices.

What Is The Value of QA/QC Testing?

Quality testing is widely used in every field, for a number of consistent reasons. Effective QA/QC plans are marketable, and provide a compelling reassurance to consumers about the safety, efficacy, and reputability of the product they’re buying—and the company they’re buying it from.

Furthermore, quality testing is financially responsible in the long-term. Thorough QA/QC archived data offers manufacturers the ability to conduct internal overhead cost tracking, cost-benefit analyses on future R&D projects, marketing data on on sales trends for individual products, and liability and litigious support as empirical data.

How Is Sampling Done?

Sampling protocols vary depending on the type of test being conducted. To ensure accurate sampling collection, and to simplify the entire process, MaryGold lab techs will happily travel to conduct sampling in-person for our clients.

Once collected, a sample will usually be processed into an appropriate testing medium at the lab via grinding, drying, freezing, solvent mixing, or otherwise manipulating the sample in preparation for its respective testing protocol. To prepare for testing, the sample may be processed into either a liquid, powder, or gaseous state.

Medical Marijuana Cards (AR)

Who Is Eligible To Become A Medical Marijuana Patient?

A patient who has any of the qualifying conditions eligible for treatment with cannabis in the state of Arkansas, as defined by the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission.

  • Condensed List: Cancer, Glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, ALS, Tourette’s, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, PTSD, Severe Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s, Cachexia, Peripheral Neuropathy, Intractable Pain, Seizures, Severe Nausea, and Severe Persistent Muscle Spasms.
  • Please note this list is not comprehensive, and it is recommended to consult the  Department of Health’s list, and with a qualified physician, to determine if cannabis treatment may be of medical value to any given patient.

How Do I Become A Medical Marijuana Patient?

Consult with your physician about medical cannabis. If your physician deems it potentially beneficial to try medical cannabis treatment, you may request a physician certification for medical marijuana (note that a physician is not required to certify a patient for cannabis, even if the patient has a relevant condition). The physician’s certification is valid for 30 days from issuance, and must be filed with the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC) with proof of Arkansas residency (AR driver’s license, or state-issued ID) to complete the registration process and receive a medical cannabis registry ID card.

What Do I Need To Apply For A Cannabis Registry ID Card?

  • ABC Application Form (online or paper)
  • Physician Certification (signed and completed, <30 days prior)
  • Valid Arkansas ID (name and address matching driver’s license)
  • $50 application fee (non-refundable)

Who Can Prescribe Medical Marijuana?

A medical provider who:

  • Is a doctor of medicine or osteopathy licensed in the state of Arkansas
  • Is in good standing to practice medicine in Arkansas
  • Has a controlled substances license on file with the DEA
  • Has a bona fide physician-patient relationship with the cannabis patient

How Much Cannabis Can A Registered Patient Or Caregiver Possess At One Time?

Registered patients and caregivers are allowed to purchase and possess no more than 2.5 ounces of cannabis every 14 days.

What Is A Caregiver?

  • A certified caregiver for a medical marijuana patient is somebody who is legally allowed to purchase, transport, and assist in administering medical marijuana to another registered medical cannabis patient—one who is otherwise unable to do so themselves.– Homebound or disabled cannabis patients, for instance, will typically require a registered caregiver’s assistance.
  • The application process and fees are largely the same for both patients and caregivers.
  • A caregiver may also be a registered cannabis patient themselves.
  • A caregiver may be registered to more than one patient, but must fill out separate applications for each patient and pay the $50 application fee separately for each application.