ChemHistory: The Science Behind The G.O.A.T. Cup
Oregon’s G.O.A.T. Cup used the exacting scientific processes of ChemHistory to determine its winners.
The mission of Oregon’s G.O.A.T. Cup is to showcase the best cannabis growers in Oregon, but it also showcased the talent of the lab compiling its results, ChemHistory. The G.O.A.T. Cup’s exacting scientific scoring required complete cannabinoid and terpene profiles but also required the cannabinoid profiles in triplicate and the terpene profiles in duplicate to ensure the most accurate results. Such steep testing requirements necessitated a partnership with a laboratory that could meet this need. It should be no surprise to anyone in Oregon that the lab best able to meet this need is ChemHistory. The rigorous demands of the cup itself demonstrated the exceptional capabilities of ChemHistory.
Established in 2014, ChemHistory is a trusted laboratory located in Milwaukie, Oregon. It is ChemHistory’s strong QA / QC processes that made the G.O.A.T. Cup a success. ChemHistory’s focus on continuous improvement has driven the organization since its inception. Since the laboratory processes around 3,000 samples a month and perform an array of tests on each, the throughput needed by the G.O.A.T. Cup was easy for ChemHistory to provide and support. ChemHistory offers a large range of testing services, even beyond the minimum state reporting requirements. ChemHistory performs a wide variety of testing for clients: botanical profiling, residual solvent testing, pesticide screening, heavy metals testing, terpene profiling, microbiological testing, potency testing for cannabis, virology testing for hops latent virus and cannabis cryptic virus, as well as microbial and alkaloid testing on kratom.
Never one to rest on minimums, ChemHistory went beyond OLCC’s laboratory certification requirements, and are constantly expanding their testing capabilities. They are ORELEAP certified, and are one of only six laboratories in the United States certified by cannabis giant Leafly.
ChemHistory’s employees see ChemHistory’s mission as eclipsing that of a cannabis testing lab. The team of dedicated scientists that helps to coordinate extensive testing on thousands of samples realizes their role has greater importance than just a THC number. “We’re responsible for the public’s health,” Patrick Trujillo asserts — and he’s right. For instance, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Control (OLCC), Oregon’s governing body on cannabis, contacted ChemHistory to request help in unraveling the complex web of issues around Oregon’s vaping crisis in 2019. They were an early adopter of vitamin E acetate testing.
Oregon maintains a close relationship with ChemHistory as Patrick Trujillo participates on OLCC’s Rule Advisory Committee. Here, ChemHistory’s advocacy expands beyond their own needs and often includes advocacy for rules that favor consumers and farmers. ChemHistory as a company sees the normalization of cannabis science as part of their mission as well, a fact which becomes clear the more you talk with their dedicated employees. ChemHistory has invested in a strong working relationship with the state to help deepen the understanding of the regulatory bodies. ChemHistory and its scientists have been open with the state about all of their testing processes and the scientific reasoning behind them. They also advise the OLCC about some of the intricacies involved in the realities of cannabis science.
ChemHistory is dedicated to all of the tiny details. Whether it’s fine-tuning and normalizing their sampling methods or enhancing their homogenization methods, the scientists there constantly strive to expand services and support to their clients. Paul Swift, the potency expert at ChemHistory, works closely with clients to fine-tune and refine their processes to meet potency targets. Due to their robust data sets, they can analyze the trends in their clients’ data over time and evaluate if there are been any issues so they can be assured the numbers they reach are as accurate as possible.
ChemHistory’s track record of excellence, constant improvement, and dedication to clients and consumers made it the best laboratory partner to ensure the G.O.A.T. Cup’s success.