TESTING LAB SCAM??

Re: BUD GENIUS (budgenius.com) in California

Having a pretty shitty first time experience with this testing company and wanted to know if anyone else has gone with them?

HQ in San Diego but they collect from all over SoCal and ship from all over the state too, apparently. They operate under BG Medical Technologies, Inc.

Their site has a fully searchable database of tested strains with cannabinoid profiles available, which looks pretty good. Competitive pricing too.

This is a crowded slice of the market so these little things matter when choosing a lab.

A handler collected two flower samples from me last week and I've heard zero from them since despite sturdy claims of a 24-48hr turnaround. Sounds like - at the very least - an unrealistic claim they shouldn't be making.

The handler has been responding to my texts but not proving to be much help at all.

Just now I have emailed the company and left a voicemail.

My worst fear is that this is a scam, and if it is then we can stop it.

So, anyone used Bud Genius???

keep the membership updated

pleez!

vostok said:

keep the membership updated

pleez!

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They came through in the end. Apparently they were out of a chemical required for gas chromatography and their supplier was out too.

Shit happens but I told them they must be honest with their customers and keep us updated or we're prone to going on the internet and blabbing about scams etc.

I have a bunch of free tests by way of apology, which wins back some of my waning approval.

I got good results and their online system is top notch and easy to use, allowing clients to view your results rather than take your word for it. I'm waiting on a package with official labels etc which is also a nice touch.

If budgenius.com can get their act together on turnaround time and communication then they might be able to compete as $50 per strain is about as cheap as it gets out here.

In my opinion, most testing labs appear to be scams. I think there is some "payola" going on amongst commercial grow ops and testing labs. And there are also a few "tricks" that commercial grow ops use in order to skew the intention of the test to begin with...For example: Some...(actually MOST) of the commercial grow ops will almost completely dry out the samples they turn in for testing -to the point where there is virtually ZERO water in the bud. What this does is increase the test result numbers for the major cannabinoids, by weight...Water weighs a certain percentage and any presence of it means the test results will show lower cannabinoids....so the buds are essentially desiccated. Those 33+% THC strains that are suddenly popping up everywhere aren't just the result of selective breeding...They are the result of selective testing.

However, I do take some consolation in the fact that there are still a bunch of us old timers around who can do the real "testing". I can't even tell you how many times I have smoked these "high-test" strains only to be disappointed...and simply put, don't pass MY test!

A lot of it is what I call "The Emperor's New Clothes" syndrome...meaning that when you see a test result printed out on a sheet of paper that indicates a strain has 30+% THC, then you become bamboozled by that number and you tell yourself that you MUST be getting higher from that strain. But, in reality, there are so many other chemical constituents that work together to facilitate a good, high feeling....If those aren't present, too, for whatever reason(s), then the high just won't be what it could be. THC level is not an accurate indicator of the quality or intensity of the high...In fact, we already know, that, by itself, in isolation, it is absolutely NOT the component that makes the high enjoyable for most people. In fact, in isolation, THC makes people feel very uncomfortable and NOT high! It is ONLY when all the compounds come together in a synergistic way that the high we all look for, will be realized. Testing, therefore, in my opinion, is just a marketing tool that can (and is) bought and paid for.

-my 2 cents

tstick said:

In my opinion, most testing labs appear to be scams. I think there is some "payola" going on amongst commercial grow ops and testing labs. And there are also a few "tricks" that commercial grow ops use in order to skew the intention of the test to begin with...For example: Some...(actually MOST) of the commercial grow ops will almost completely dry out the samples they turn in for testing -to the point where there is virtually ZERO water in the bud. What this does is increase the test result numbers for the major cannabinoids, by weight...Water weighs a certain percentage and any presence of it means the test results will show lower cannabinoids....so the buds are essentially desiccated. Those 33+% THC strains that are suddenly popping up everywhere aren't just the result of selective breeding...They are the result of selective testing.

However, I do take some consolation in the fact that there are still a bunch of us old timers around who can do the real "testing". I can't even tell you how many times I have smoked these "high-test" strains only to be disappointed...and simply put, don't pass MY test!

A lot of it is what I call "The Emperor's New Clothes" syndrome...meaning that when you see a test result printed out on a sheet of paper that indicates a strain has 30+% THC, then you become bamboozled by that number and you tell yourself that you MUST be getting higher from that strain. But, in reality, there are so many other chemical constituents that work together to facilitate a good, high feeling....If those aren't present, too, for whatever reason(s), then the high just won't be what it could be. THC level is not an accurate indicator of the quality or intensity of the high...In fact, we already know, that, by itself, in isolation, it is absolutely NOT the component that makes the high enjoyable for most people. In fact, in isolation, THC makes people feel very uncomfortable and NOT high! It is ONLY when all the compounds come together in a synergistic way that the high we all look for, will be realized. Testing, therefore, in my opinion, is just a marketing tool that can (and is) bought and paid for.

-my 2 cents

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100% yes and i'm with you, which makes it more of a pity that getting something to market without testing is near on impossible around here.

THC is not the be-all and end-all, but it sure sells like it is.

A little more to this boring story if anyone is interested...

I took up budgenius on their offer of complimentary tests and mailed in two more strains, except they would not budge on the $20 handling fee (basically their shipping costs), stating that there was nothing they could do on this as it was "separate" from the testing process. I disagreed (but only feebly as it is only $20) because I feel like if someone's gonna say complimentary then it should be the whole deal.

Their idea of good customer service doesn't match mine, but i'm not gonna fight about it, as its pretty easy to find another lab for future business. I've told them that, and they don't seem to care.

They also don't seem to acknowledge the consumer power of forums such as this, where I can tell thousands more of my experience and then you too might think twice about using budgenius.

Regardless, i'm waiting on results tomorrow to see if they can meet their alleged 48hr turnaround time.

Unless they find gold unicorns in my weed I won't be using them again.

I gotta sell my shares in that outfit ...lol

Thanks for the report I was thinking of using them to determine highest cbd pheno for an upcoming harvest but maybe Ill just do it the old fashion way.

tstick said:

snip

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I would think they could determine moisture content with the GC/MS and exclude from the results but I don't doubt there are tricks to increase percentages.

I don't know, but I can tell you from direct experience that several of the highest THC buds I ever bought were as dry as the desert and had no real flavor. Other buds with a much lower reported THC content that were cured well with some residual moisture in them tasted great and imparted a much more intense and pleasant high. Maybe I am jumping to a conclusion about the water/THC percentages....but that's what I have observed. I know I'll never buy any more high THC buds if they are desiccated. And I have confirmed for myself that THC isn't what I look for to rate bud-quality anymore, anyway....So test results, as of today, are nothing more than a marketing tool used to sell a product under misleading premises. They are not helpful to the customer and are, in fact, very misleading for a lot of people.

ruwtz said:

They came through in the end. Apparently they were out of a chemical required for gas chromatography and their supplier was out too.

Shit happens but I told them they must be honest with their customers and keep us updated or we're prone to going on the internet and blabbing about scams etc.

I have a bunch of free tests by way of apology, which wins back some of my waning approval.

I got good results and their online system is top notch and easy to use, allowing clients to view your results rather than take your word for it. I'm waiting on a package with official labels etc which is also a nice touch.

If budgenius.com can get their act together on turnaround time and communication then they might be able to compete as $50 per strain is about as cheap as it gets out here.

Click to expand...

Need some cheese to go with your Whine?

Jesus, they gave a solid reason why, and gave you free tests too! I'd be quite pleased.....Here, testing is now $100 a pop and 2 grams (I suspect 1/2 to test and 1.5 to smoke)......Been kinda interested in that portable home unit..$650...Thing would pay for it's self in 6 months or less.....Does terps too.....someone had a question about it yesterday - Newbie? Thread....

Anyway, the thing has an app for your phone to match "needs to weeds".

Best part is that they give you free lab test at the lab of your choice to confirm that their unit is working and testing properly!

https://www.cdxlife.com/canna-sensor/

It does take "inserts" that you have to buy periodically. $45 for 30 of them.....That's not bad at all....In the end I would be saving money......I wish I could see one and see it work once.....In person! Screw Utube.....

Dr. Who said:

Need some cheese to go with your Whine?

Jesus, they gave a solid reason why, and gave you free tests too! I'd be quite pleased.....Here, testing is now $100 a pop and 2 grams (I suspect 1/2 to test and 1.5 to smoke)......Been kinda interested in that portable home unit..$650...Thing would pay for it's self in 6 months or less.....Does terps too.....someone had a question about it yesterday - Newbie? Thread....

Anyway, the thing has an app for your phone to match "needs to weeds".

Best part is that they give you free lab test at the lab of your choice to confirm that their unit is working and testing properly!

https://www.cdxlife.com/canna-sensor/

It does take "inserts" that you have to buy periodically. $45 for 30 of them.....That's not bad at all....In the end I would be saving money......I wish I could see one and see it work once.....In person! Screw Utube.....

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You should contact them, they may be willing to allow a test program for you.

dargd1 said:

You should contact them, they may be willing to allow a test program for you.

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Grand idea! I'll be calling later today.......

tstick said:

I don't know, but I can tell you from direct experience that several of the highest THC buds I ever bought were as dry as the desert and had no real flavor. Other buds with a much lower reported THC content that were cured well with some residual moisture in them tasted great and imparted a much more intense and pleasant high. Maybe I am jumping to a conclusion about the water/THC percentages....but that's what I have observed. I know I'll never buy any more high THC buds if they are desiccated. And I have confirmed for myself that THC isn't what I look for to rate bud-quality anymore, anyway....So test results, as of today, are nothing more than a marketing tool used to sell a product under misleading premises. They are not helpful to the customer and are, in fact, very misleading for a lot of people.

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100% disagree!

I want to know the total cannabinoid count - not just THC.
The REAL info is in your terp profiles! It's becoming known that the terps play a real role in just how the buzz acts! Type/style and length of. Including couchlock and "soaring/energetic" high effects!

Now knowing that....Is powerful stuff.

Dr. Who said:

Grand idea! I'll be calling later today.......

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Website says it only measures THC to within 20% accuracy conventional gas chromatography instruments, so that is not very accurate. It does say their newer units will be within 5%, I would be interested in that unit when it comes out or maybe the sensors will be upgradeable if you buy now. It doesn’t state how accurate cannabinoids and terpenes are. Let us know what you find out.

Testing here in Southern Maine is like 45$ a sample. Pretty cheap in reality...

I guess I'm old enough to remember when marijuana was much simpler and didn't have to rely on highly variable numbers on a printout sheet to tell the consumer what the effect was supposed to be ahead of time. We used to just get the skunk marijuana (speaking of terpenes!) and it got everyone who smoked it equally high. There wasn't any kind of specific breakdown of various compounds to indicate anything back then....just light, inhale and...voila...You got high. Your eyes turned red and the world seemed awesome. That was what smoking marijuana was. No soaring/energetic or couch lock expectations....just high.

The power of suggestion is strong. When a test result shows a THC content of 30%, then people who buy it do so on the premise that they are going to get higher than they will on a 15% THC strain...but it doesn't work that way in reality. If someone tells you to expect the strain to make you feel energized, then you will tune into that expectation and it will become a reality -based on the power of suggestion. Same thing for "couch lock"...etc. I can tell you to NOT think about a can of tuna....and what are you going to instantly think about? It's just the way the human brain works and it's well-known among marketeers.

@Dr.Who We both can agree it is the total, synergistic effects of all the compounds (many volatile terpenes) that gets consumers high...but the focus, lately, has been to "sell" a strain based on THC%...and "coincidently", there has been a sudden influx of 30% THC strains appearing everywhere! It's a total marketing tool. I can go to any number of rec stores right now and have 100's of tested flowers and concentrates to choose from...but I already know, from consumer-experience, most of the stuff isn't as grandiose as it would indicate on the labels. Only through attrition have I stumbled onto a commercial brand and strain that tastes good and gets me high...and it's 18% THC! Out of the 100's of strains available, I have found ONE!

I can test marijuana with my eyes and I might be fooled -because lots of strains can look good and taste/smoke like shit. Dried out buds can still look good in photographs and in sealed containers.

I can read test results on a sheet of paper and I might be fooled because test samples and techniques will vary -even among different buds taken from the same plant! The tester bud might be taken from a top cola...but, when the rest of the plant is harvested and sold, many of the lower, less-potent buds will be included, too. This is yet another reason why test results do not give true results for the consumer.

HOWEVER, my nose can detect good marijuana from across the room -because good marijuana stinks like a skunk. Even if I go blind, I believe I could still pick out the best marijuana more consistently than what is being given out in most commercial marijuana test results.

At least you can get your buds tested, i live in a legal state and it's illegal for home growers to get our buds tested. Dumbest law ever passed...


https://helpinghandsdispensary.com/blog/colorado-labs-barred-testing-home-grown-cannabis/

That's ridiculous! ^^^

I can understand that some regulations must be put in place to make everything "official" for the big ops....less about testing for THC content and more about testing for residual pesticides and toxic/poisonous compounds...because that could come back on a business to bite them in the ass if someone got sick from pesticides, etc. But home growers (for the most part) are just in it for personal-use and therefore wouldn't need to have pesticide testing done -unless they used pesticides. I'm a home grower and I don't use any pesticides, so testing would be pointless for me. And, as I have already stated, I don't put much weight with current testing for any other aspects of marijuana potency, either.

tstick said:

That's ridiculous! ^^^

I can understand that some regulations must be put in place to make everything "official" for the big ops....less about testing for THC content and more about testing for residual pesticides and toxic/poisonous compounds...because that could come back on a business to bite them in the ass if someone got sick from pesticides, etc. But home growers (for the most part) are just in it for personal-use and therefore wouldn't need to have pesticide testing done -unless they used pesticides. I'm a home grower and I don't use any pesticides, so testing would be pointless for me. And, as I have already stated, I don't put much weight with current testing for any other aspects of marijuana potency, either.

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This whole state is totally ass backwards, it's corporate greed at the finest, gotta have half a million dollars just to get started, and honestly all that money doesn't help them grow weed, the dispensaries around here have horrible meds. I want to move out but it's so expensive. The government is much too intrusive in home grows as well, they don't recognize extended plant counts, and passed a law that you can only grow 12 plants , 6 flowering , no matter what, so i have been looking to move.

Not only do you have to have a half a million to get started, that half million HAS to be CASH-ON-HAND...can't be tied up in assets or anything like that. So, yeah, it's already an exclusive game where the buy-in is whale-level only!

The new Black Market (which really isn't a market at all) will be the home growers...because they will be the untested, undocumented, un-traceable...well...except for the growers who have the skunk! THEY will be traceable because the smell will give them away -just like it used to do in the old days! Those people are going to have to invest in major filtration system updates!

I am starting to see a few marijuana rec stores up for sale! For 50 million dollars, you can buy a commercial MJ business! I think some owners are tired of the regulations, all the documentation, basically red tape out their asses! They thought it would be different...but when push comes to shove, big corporations will bully out all the quality-minded, small shops and replace them with Wal-Mart owned money-makers.

Some places you can't collect rain water! Pretty soon, you won't be able to grow your own vegetables, either! What's next? Air?...Well, Trump is trying to bring back pollution again, so you never know! But, I digress!

Back to the discussion!