Digipath, Inc. (OTC:DIGP) released an overview of their laboratory's vision for the future of cannabis testing data. They're pointing out how confusing it is to have so many strain names with so little real scientific data about them. 

Further Clarity

Digipath's Chief Science Officer, Dr. Cindy Orser, PhD provided the following insight to give more clarity on the usage and need for marijuana chemical data in today's market:

"Currently, the lack of standardized naming conventions in the cannabis industry (use of acronyms, non-standard abbreviations, etc.) is making it increasingly difficult to know what is on the market and to make effective comparisons. This uncertainty is impacting many ancillary efforts, including confidence at the dispensary, and is creating a regulatory quagmire for trademarking and patenting strains (i.e. cultivars). Due to this uncertainty, knowledgeable consumers have been driven to pay premiums for authenticated flower through which desired product experiences can be consistently attained.

Most cannabis testing labs are complying with the minimum state-mandated quality assurance testing protocols combined with basic chemoprofiling of cannabis and cannabis-based products. However, Digipath Labs has gone far beyond the minimum mandate and has embarked on a robust multivariate analysis of over 4,000 chemoprofiles from flower samples evaluated in its Las Vegas laboratory.

This analysis is expected to result in the consolidation of unique flower chemoprofiles, perhaps 25 to 30 chemotypes with shared cannabinoid-to-terpene values, that will be instrumental in defining clinically relevant chemotypes masquerading under a plethora of strain names. Once the chemotypes are defined through multivariate analyses, Digipath Labs plans to select representative strains for each distinct chemotype and submit them for genotyping analysis. The genotyping data will confirm the chemotypes, and this combined dataset will finally establish standardized, genetically defined conventions for the classification of cannabis strains, translating to truth in advertising throughout the industry.

Such a dataset will have value to any medical patient or recreational consumer interested in a consistent cannabis experience. Instead of merely directing patients and consumers to various dispensaries based on the availability of strains by pseudonym, existing providers such as Leafly and WeedMaps would be able to utilize the Digipath dataset to provide patients and consumers direction based on specific, certified cultivars (as well as the various brand names used by cultivars).

This effort will parallel the establishment of cannabis phylogenetic trees, pinpointing what clinically relevant strains are being cultivated, as well as illuminating the numerous pseudonyms under which these true cultivars have been marketed, all beginning in Nevada and expanding to other markets worldwide.

-Dr. Cindy Orser, PhD"

Conclusion

For more information on Digipath,  Inc. be sure to check out their stock profile in our rapidly expanding marijuana stocks database. For Digipath's press release regarding laboratory marijuana strain identification, click here.