Texas SB1325 took effect when it was signed by Governor Abbott on June 10, 2019, and legalized 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 needed new equipment in order to be able to quantify THC in evidentiary items. The Crime Laboratory has begun the process of setting up the LCMS instrument. Currently we are experiencing an issue with system’s nitrogen generator, and we need to procure a nitrogen generator with an integral air compressor. We anticipate that it will be between June 2021 and September 2021 before we will be able to bring THC quantification testing online. If the Chemistry Unit gets 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. |