Texas SB1325 took effect when it was signed by Governor Abbott on June 10, 2019, and legalizes hemp in the State of Texas. Marijuana and hemp are both Cannabis sativa L plants containing Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. The difference between the two is the quantity of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol present. The Crime Laboratory needs new equipment in order to be able to quantify THC in evidentiary items. A PO was issued on August 26, 2020 to procure a new LCMS system. The last component of the LCMS was received on Thursday, September 24, 2020. We anticipate that it will be between March 2021 and June 2021 before we will be able to bring THC quantification testing online. If the Chemistry Unit gets a new LCMS system and an additional chemist, the Crime Laboratory could begin to insource THC quantification cases. This could be a good opportunity for insourcing THC cases from smaller agencies, since we may be the first government laboratory in the area with the ability to conduct THC quantification testing. The Chemistry Unit would have to acquire additional personnel in order to insource THC testing, or the Unit’s turnaround time and backlog would increase. COVID-19 has had a deleterious effect on the City’s budget; I do not foresee funding for an additional chemist position. |