There are five state-licensedlabsin Montana that test marijuana for everything from THC content to pesticide contamination.
Stillwater Labs is the only lab in Southwest Montana. With the rush to grow and store enough product to stock dispensaries, lab staff say high moisture content has been an issue in the recreational samples they’ve tested so far.
Andy Johnson, the lab’s division manager, uses a machine to test marijuana plant samples for moisture content, which can lead to mold.
“Once I close the machine it raises the temperature, and it burns off the moisture and then the machine measures the amount of moisture that’s released into the air,” Johnson explained.
If a sample tests higher than the statewide standard of 12% the lab alerts the grower. Growers can dry out the plant and still sell it.
Leading up to recreational sales Johnson says some growers stockpiled weed and may not have used best storage practices.
“Recently we’ve been getting more moisture fails than usual because people were in such a rush," he said, "but now that they’re back to growing and then immediately selling it as soon as it’s ready we’re seeing moisture levels starting to drop again."
Recreational sales became legal in Montana on Jan. 1. The state Department of Revenue says there are 74 licensed dispensaries in Gallatin County.
