At the S3 Collective, we pride ourselves on supporting the highest standards in botanical product safety. A recent Boston Globe article featured our co-founder and Board Chair, David Vaillencourt. The article, "Mold, yeast have no place in legal weed," highlights David's expertise and contributions to improving cannabis testing practices.
The Importance of Rigorous Testing
The article underscores a critical issue: the presence of mold and yeast in cannabis products and the pervasive issue of lab shopping that undermines the credibility and accuracy of test results. David's involvement in the ASTM International’s Committee D37 since inception has been pivotal in addressing these concerns. As the Committee’s Vice-Chair, David emphasizes the need for scientifically validated testing methods to ensure consumer safety and how the use of voluntary consensus standards is a powerful tool to increase consumer confidence. The Boston Globe article highlights data published in a recent ASTM International Journal of Testing and Evaluation by Yasha Kahn and Dr. Jeff Rawson that has illuminated the pervasiveness of laboratory data not aligning with what is actually in the product.
However, it is important to recognize that while these issues with the regulated market are real, state regulated products on a whole are significantly safer than unregulated products that are often labeled as “Farm Bill compliant” and can be found in smoke shops and convenience stores across the country.
David's Journey and Commitment
David's journey in the cannabis industry began in 2014 after working for an analytical testing laboratory in the Pacific Northwest and learning about the lack of safety standards in the emerging adult-use marketplaces of Oregon and Washington. His background in quality assurance and Federal contract work on environmental disasters such as the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill; fueled his commitment to public safety. This led to the founding of The GMP Collective and, subsequently, the S3 Collective, which is working to bridge the gap between science, safety, and standards to support the credibility of the and the rapidly evolving cannabis and psychedelics marketplaces.
S3 Collective's Mission
The S3 Collective is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to advancing the cannabis, hemp, and other botanical industries through collaboration, education, and standardization. Led by a diverse array of scientific experts and leaders, the S3 Collective aims to accelerate the Scientific research needed to develop and improve Standards that will ensure consumer and patient Safety.
Join Us in Our Mission
We invite you to join us in our commitment to elevating the quality and safety of botanical products. Whether through becoming a founding member, donating to our cause, or volunteering your time, your support is invaluable. Together, we can build a healthy and thriving industry based on scientific evidence and global standards.
Stay informed about our latest developments and events by subscribing to our email updates. For more information, visit our website or contact us at [email protected].
S3 Collective
Aiding the journey of excellence in botanical products by harmonizing science, safety, and standards.
For more information on David Vaillencourt's contributions and the full Boston Globe article, click here.