With locations across the U.S., Kaycha Labs is establishing a national network of Cannabis and Hemp labs that provide essential product quality and safety information

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (April 14, 2021) – Kaycha Labs, a leader in Cannabis and Hemp testing technologies and methods, has announced that its next lab will be in Tempe, Arizona. With locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida (Fort Lauderdale/Davie and Gainesville), Massachusetts, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Tennessee, Kaycha has the most extensive network of Cannabis labs in the United States.

James Horvath, CEO of Kaycha Labs, remarked, “Arizona, having just legalized adult-use, recreational marijuana in November, is the most logical choice for our company’s newest location. In addition to Arizona being a nascent market, many of our current multi-state operator clients have invested heavily in the state and we know they value reliable testing partners who can provide consistent testing methodologies across geographies.”  

John Schwartz, Kaycha Labs’ Chief Operating Officer, added, “The 6,000-square-foot Tempe space comes with a pre-existing, efficient layout that will allow us to build-out quickly and accommodate several sets of equipment. We have already hired our lab director, construction contracts have been signed, and because we are experienced in the ISO certification process, we expect to be operational this fall after we complete the regulatory process. Needless to say, we are very excited.” 

ABOUT KAYCHA LABS: Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Kaycha Labs has locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Tennessee. Kaycha’s network of accredited labs is a recognized leader in testing precision and speed, delivering results within 48 hours with sample automation and technology innovation. Kaycha labs implements over 500 procedures and methods to test Cannabis and Hemp products using state-of-the-art equipment. These procedures and methods comply with standards set by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), International Standards Organization (ISO), United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Services, and Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC).

For more information, visit KaychaLabs.com and on social media @KaychaLabs

Media Contact:
Kara Pound
Simply180, Inc.
kara@simply180.com
386-237-4500

Two Colorado-based leaders in the independent cannabis lab testing market join forces

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (March 2, 2021) – Kaycha Labs and TEQ Analytical Laboratories, two Colorado-based leaders in the independent cannabis lab testing market, have announced a strategic partnership. The two companies will be combining resources to position itself as the state’s highest value-added testing company with a complete service offering. The companies have agreed to operate under the “Kaycha” brand and they will consolidate their operations at Kaycha Lab’s 879 Federal Boulevard location in Denver, Colorado.

Seth Wong, President of TEQ Analytical, highlighted, “By integrating our professional teams, quality systems, and proven SOPs, we will be positioned to provide even more value to clients. I am also excited that our TEQ clients will now have access to Kaycha’s PureLIMS, a software platform that was built for the Cannabis and Hemp testing industry.” Stephen Goldman, Kaycha’s Chief Science Officer and Colorado Lab Director, noted, “We have always admired TEQ’s customer service model and focus on quality and through our partnership, we will have more resources dedicated to making sure we are proactive in addressing our clients’ needs.”

With nine lab locations across the country and three more under consideration, the combined company is uniquely qualified to service the testing needs of both regional and national cannabis companies.

ABOUT KAYCHA LABS: Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Kaycha Labs has testing labs in California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Tennessee. Kaycha’s network of accredited labs is a leader in testing precision and speed, delivering results within 48 hours with sample automation and technology innovation.

ABOUT TEQ ANALYTICAL LABORATORIES: Headquartered in Aurora, Colorado, TEQ Analytical was the first recreational marijuana laboratory in North America Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 through A2LA.  Led by a team with over 70 years of experience in the food, drug testing and agricultural industries, TEQ is recognized as an industry leader in cannabis potency, microbiological, and contaminant testing.

For more information, visit KaychaLabs.com and on social media @KaychaLabs

Media Contact:
Kara Pound
Simply180, Inc.
kara@simply180.com
386-237-4500

With locations across the U.S., Kaycha Labs is establishing a national network of Cannabis and Hemp labs that provides essential product quality and safety information

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (February 16, 2021) – Kaycha Labs, a leader in Cannabis and Hemp testing technologies and methods, is adding three new states to its national network of labs. The company’s nine labs are in California, Colorado, Florida (Fort Lauderdale/Davie and Gainesville), Massachusetts, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Tennessee.

In recent weeks, Kaycha has acquired Evio Labs in Medford, Oregon, signed a definitive agreement to acquire DB Labs in anticipation of Clark County and Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board approvals, and received a provisional license to open and operate a lab in Natick, Massachusetts. Both the Oregon and Nevada labs were early entrants to their respective markets; Evio Labs Medford commenced operations in 2014 and DB Labs was organized in 2014 and operates its ~11,000-square-foot lab several blocks away from the Las Vegas Strip. The Massachusetts lab is a new build and is strategically located in Natick near major interstate highways within a couple hours driving time to all major customers.

James Horvath, CEO of Kaycha Labs, commented, “We know that the Cannabis industry is rapidly consolidating and that national Cannabis companies are working hard to build national brands. As they grow, we appreciate that there is a need for a testing partner who can provide and apply a uniform and consistent process.  Furthermore, all Kaycha labs will be equipped with back-up instrumentation so that client testing is not interrupted by an outage.” Chris Martinez, Kaycha Labs’ President, added, “We know clients value quality testing, fast turnaround times, and attractive pricing. And by adding to our network, we will be achieving even more scale, which will allow us to continue to lower our cost structure and pass these savings along to our clients.”

ABOUT KAYCHA LABS: Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Kaycha Labs has testing labs in California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Tennessee. Kaycha’s network of accredited labs is a recognized leader in testing precision and speed, delivering results within 48 hours with sample automation and technology innovation. Kaycha labs implements over 500 procedures and methods to test Cannabis and Hemp products using state-of-the-art equipment. These procedures and methods comply with standards set by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), International Standards Organization (ISO), United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Services, and Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC).

For more information, visit KaychaLabs.com and on social media @KaychaLabs

Media Contact:
Kara Pound
Simply180, Inc.
kara@simply180.com
386-237-4500

With locations across the U.S., Kaycha Labs is establishing a national network of cannabis and hemp labs that provides essential product quality and safety information

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (December 30, 2020) – Kaycha Labs, a national leader in cannabis and hemp testing technologies and methods, has designated its Tennessee location as its primary Eastern US Hemp/CBD Testing Lab and exited two of its minority-ownership labs.

After completing a trial period of working with a few minority-owned, licensed partners, Kaycha has determined that clients, shareholders, and the consuming public will be best served where Kaycha is in full control of and managing all aspects of laboratory operations including accreditation, capital expenditures, quality control and finances. And as a result, Kaycha has exited two partnership labs and designated its Tennessee Lab as its primary Eastern US Hemp/CBD Lab.

James Horvath, CEO, commented, “I am excited to be consolidating most of our CBD/Hemp Testing business in Knoxville which has the full complement of required accreditations. And we have more than enough capacity to serve the combined demands of our former Kentucky and New York Labs.” Chris Martinez, President, added, “We underestimated many of the operational challenges of licensee labs and feel it is easier to execute when we are in full control.”

Over the coming months, Kaycha will be announcing the addition of several new company-owned and managed lab locations in attractive, large markets.

ABOUT KAYCHA LABS: Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Kaycha Labs operates six testing labs in five states including California, Colorado, Florida, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Kaycha’s network of accredited labs is a recognized leader in testing precision and speed, delivering results within 48 hours with sample automation and technology innovation. For more information, visit KaychaLabs.com and on social media @KaychaLabs

Media contact: David Haut, Simply180, david@simply180.com, 561-674-0757

With locations across the U.S., Kaycha Labs is establishing a national network of cannabis and hemp labs that provides essential product quality and safety information

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaycha Labs, a national leader in cannabis and hemp testing technologies and methods, is excited to announce that both their Davie and Gainesville labs have been awarded the Florida Department of Health's CMTL Certification (Certified Marijuana Testing Laboratory).

This is the first time the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) has awarded CMTL certifications and by doing so, it now means that state-mandated testing requirements will go into effect – specifying that all retail products containing marijuana must be randomly sampled and tested. "Receiving the first Department of Health CMTL certification is an honor," said Chris Martinez, President and Co-Founder of Kaycha Labs. "It's a testament to our team that has worked so hard to get to where we are." John Schwartz, Chief Operating Officer at Kaycha Labs agreed, "We are excited to receive this distinction in our home state. Our investment in people and technology has and will continue to serve the people of Florida."

Both Davie and Gainesville labs are ISO 17025 accredited and perform marijuana and hemp product testing for clients to help ensure that Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs) remain compliant with all state and federal regulations. Kaycha Labs provides fast and accurate full panel testing for potency, homogeneity, heavy metals, microbial contamination, mycotoxins, residual solvents, terpenes, pesticides, and more. Altogether, Kaycha labs has the ability to implement over 500 procedures and methods to test cannabis and hemp products using state-of-the-art equipment. These procedures and methods comply with standards set by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), International Standards Organization (ISO), United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Services, and Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC).

ABOUT KAYCHA LABS: Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Kaycha Labs operates eight testing labs in seven states including California, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, New York, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Kaycha Labs has the largest network of accredited labs and is a recognized leader in testing precision and speed, delivering results within 48 hours with sample automation and technology innovation. For more information, visit KaychaLabs.com. Follow along on social media@KaychaLabs

Media contact: Kara Pound, Simply180, kara@simply180.com, 386-237-4500

With locations across the U.S., Kaycha Labs is establishing a national network of cannabis and hemp labs that provides essential product quality and safety information

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (May 25, 2020) – Kaycha Labs, a national leader in cannabis and hemp testing technologies and methods, is excited to announce the appointment of Alan Silverman as the company’s Chief Financial Officer.

The CFO position is a newly created role and was created to facilitate the company’s fast growth. Mr. Silverman will oversee all aspects of the company’s financial operations including accounting, budgeting, equity and debt fundraising, risk management, and financial reporting.

Mr. Silverman has worked in a broad array of other businesses in the healthcare and life sciences, software as a service, construction & real estate, and communication services industries. James Horvath, CEO, highlighted, “Kaycha is at a point where we need a seasoned and qualified professional to manage our financial operations. In less than three years, we have grown from a Florida-oriented company with 2 testing labs to a national testing lab company with 8 labs in 7 States. And with plans for continued expansion, we are pleased that we have found someone with Alan’s depth and breadth of experience.” John Schwartz, the COO, added, “Alan’s prior success in managing the financials of companies with numerous subsidiaries will allow Kaycha to effectively analyze and make good decisions regarding investments. His knowledge of tax and his experience in delivering in all aspects of this role including executing on major system conversions and creating robust financial management reporting packages will serve all of our stakeholders.”

ABOUT KAYCHA LABS: ​Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Kaycha Labs operates eight testing labs in seven states including California, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, New York, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Kaycha Labs has the largest network of accredited labs and is a recognized leader in testing precision and speed, delivering results within 48 hours with sample automation and technology innovation. For more information, visit KaychaLabs.com. Follow along on social media @KaychaLabs.

Media contact: David Haut, Simply180, david@simply180.com, 561-674-0757

According to a press release, the Florida Department of Agriculture named Kaycha Labs as their first “Designated Compliance Laboratory” as part of the roll out of their newly initiated hemp program.

Last week, Kaycha Labs, a cannabis testing laboratory company based in Florida, announced that they have executed an agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (FDACS) to be the first “Designated Compliance Laboratory” for the state of Florida’s new hemp program.

As part of the agreement, Kaycha Labs will be procuring samples for the mandatory compliance testing program, as well as providing the required potency analysis for the Division of Plant Industry (an office under the FDACS).

The USDA recently approved the hemp program under the FDACS, and with that comes a host of regulations that producers need to follow.

Florida’s program requires a “designated approved representative” to go out in the field and collect compliance samples for testing from hemp licensees. Those samples then get tested to ensure they have less than 0.3% THC, per state and federal requirements.

Cynthia Brewer, vice president of Kaycha Labs, says this new regulatory framework will help a lot of stakeholders. “I am thrilled that Florida has created a regulatory framework that incorporates both well-defined procedures and high standards,” says Brewer. “Everyone benefits – consumers are protected and hemp producers become known for as- advertised, quality product. All of us at Kaycha are looking forward to working with both and the cultivators and the Department of Plant Industry.”

Written by Jason S. Lupoi, Ph.D.

The need for accurate analytics is vital to every cog of the Cannabis sativa machine. Paying for a certificate of analysis (CoA) to flaunt numbers that are potentially devoid of meaning serves no purpose. Rather, the honorable CoA communicates product safety, information used for dosing, and the quantities of ancillary molecules like terpenes and minor cannabinoids that play various roles in a product’s medicinal and physiological properties. And as science desperately tries to (must) catch up to product development and, more importantly, consumption, the numbers calculated across any measurement must be trustworthy to make decisions, modifications, and claims based on factual medicine. In order to know “my product works for x, y, z”, the data associated with the product needs to be defendable and traceable.

Testing moisture in the flower (moisture balance instrument)

Enter Kaycha Labs…

In 2017, Kaycha Labs, formerly EVIO Labs Florida, identified a void in the cannabis market regarding patient outcomes. “We needed a way to aggregate chemical data to better understand what patients were consuming,” said Chris Martinez, the company’s president. “So, we invented a way to test these products and developed a platform to track patient/product efficacy.”

Preparing extraction samples prior to testing

Kaycha Labs provides analytical testing for the cannabis and hemp industries, serving cultivators, processors, manufacturers, and retailers. Kaycha’s mothership facility, a 6,000 sq. ft. laboratory in Davie, Florida, utilizes millions of dollars’ worth of technology and analytical instrumentation, enabling them to provide more predictable outcomes for patients and consumers who medicate with cannabis- and hemp-derived products.

Weighing out the samples

And The Hemp Institute

Kaycha’s family comprises the largest network of ISO accredited cannabis/hemp testing laboratories in the United States. They’ve also created The Hemp Institute at Kaycha Labs, a 7,000 sq. ft. a facility dedicated to hemp research and testing, powered by Shimadzu, and compliant with ISO 17025, AOAC, cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices), and GLP (Good Laboratory Practices) requirements.

TVs display the data, placing samples into the queue, reviewing data on overhead panels

“Our goal at The Hemp Institute,” Chris explained, “is to protect consumer health and well-being, while providing the infrastructure for hemp companies to determine the efficacy of their products, and ultimately change how consumers find relief with them. We want to end the trial and error for consumers and provide data which creates a better starting point for their treatment plan.”

Kaycha Labs and The Hemp Institute have also partnered with accredited universities and innovative businesses such as University of Florida, University of Miami, Duke University, Miami Dade College, PhytaTech, EndoCanna Health, and The Florida Hemp Council, all entities supporting the hemp and cannabis industries through research, analysis, advocacy, education, and service.

Kaycha Labs’ other contribution to industry innovation is its laboratory information management system (LIMS) platform called PureLIMS, which was specifically designed for the cannabis industry. PureLIMS’s different matrices and built-in quality control track information like the expiration date of consumables used, like reagents, to the analysts who conducted the measurements. “Our PureLIMS tracks data over time to support our customers in formulating products that best fit the needs of their consumers,” Chris added. “Our client portal allows our customers to submit samples with specified testing and post certificates of analysis directly to their website as well as custom QR codes.”

Chris, the Genie, and the Three Nuggets

Migrating away from the Kaycha Labs microcosm, I asked Chris what the most important needs of the cannabis industry are? “First, consistency across labs nationwide,” Chris responded, not unexpectedly, given his expertise and passion. “Second, we believe the industry needs to focus on testing innovations through technology, research, and science, furthering efforts to support patients in their transition from opiates and selecting cannabis as a treatment.”

And if Chris, like a genie in a bottle, could offer three nuggets of advice to his clients, what would they be? “First,” he responded, “understand the differences between testing labs based on proficiency testing, ISO accreditations, quality control, and automation. Consistency is key.”

“Second,” he continued, “understand that the CoA is only as good as the lab producing it and their qualifications, as it varies state by state.”

“And third, ask labs to be transparent and willing to show real data to consumers and clients. The more transparent labs can be, the safer patients and consumers will be.”

State Guidelines Pick Up Federal Slack

Currently, there are no testing guidelines federally mandated in the federally legal hemp industry, outside of quantifying total delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Therefore, when evaluating samples for contaminants, the hemp industry can turn to test guidelines mandated by states like New York and Florida.

“Our benchmarks are based on best practices established nationally while keeping patients’ safety in mind along the way,” Chris added. “As industry experts, we regularly speak with state regulators regarding consumer and patient safety. However, not all states operate under these benchmarks which is why patient education is key.”

Are the federal guidelines remiss for not including some basic guidance on contamination testing? “The federal guidelines are a good start,” Chris replied, “but we believe there is a lot more guidance that can be provided with regards to contamination and safety testing. These state guidelines will go a long way in ensuring consumer safety and preventing the influx of low-quality products that are currently flooding the market.”

Biggest Issues with Hemp and Cannabis Products

Labels sometimes aren’t representative of the product inside the packaging. There’s variance in CBD and THC levels compared to what’s labeled. Or, there’s no terpene information. Or, the ingredient list is vague (e.g. minerals). What’s more, from celebrities to politicians formerly against the plant, the mushrooming CBD industry has it all. Burgers, bubble bath, toothpicks, teas. A product for what ails you, including fleas.

“The industry has seen expansive growth with CBD and a great deal of white-label manufacturers and processors lack quality control standards, basic facility requirements, and certifications,” Chris commented. “We see products formulated and tested that ultimately fail due to contaminants. This is because brands are cutting corners to save on testing costs and bypassing the need to test their raw materials. The usual response is, ‘they provided me a CoA for the product.’ The question is, did you send out a sample of your raw materials to a credible lab to confirm for yourself?”

Given the lack of proper regulatory oversight of the industry, unlike federally illegal cannabis, I was curious if Chris has seen an escalating number of hemp samples testing at levels that would and should fail thresholds implemented on cannabis?

“There is a higher prevalence of hemp samples failing contaminant testing,” Chris answered. “This is because the hemp industry is like the Wild West, with many players looking to capitalize on market opportunities without doing basic safety testing and just focusing on potency testing.”

“The larger cannabis operators,” he continued, “understand their responsibility to consumers and are trying to put out the best product. If they would and should fail, then they do. There is no licensing structure in most states relating to CBD manufacturing, while cannabis manufactures have regulations that must be met.”

Although the hemp industry has yet to catch up to cannabis in regulatory oversight, it’s coming. Everyone recognizes its vitality. Until then, we can always look to cannabis testing requirements, and to labs like Kaycha, who have mastered state-level analytical regulations paramount for legitimizing cannabis products, regulations that have nicely transferred over to and served as a beacon in the tumultuous landscape of globalized hemp and CBD.