ACTON, Mass., Aug. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Psychemedics
Corporation (NASDAQ: PMD), hair testing pioneer and global
scientific leader for over thirty years, announced the launch of
its Synthetic Cannabinoids test – a hair test that looks for the
compounds found in commonly-abused products such as K2, Spice and
Blaze.
Synthetic Cannabinoids are often marketed as a "legal high"
alternative to marijuana, and are commonly sold as incense in
retail stores, head shops and on the internet. In response to
reports of an alarming increase in abuse and overdoses, the Federal
Government has classified many synthetic substances as Schedule I
drugs under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act -- the same category
as heroin and LSD.
The Psychemedics test will be continually updated to address
changes in the Synthetic Cannabinoids market, adding additional
compounds to the test as they are identified or become prevalent as
reported by the scientific, law enforcement and regulatory
communities.
The non-invasive testing procedure uses a small sample of hair
that is easily collected and shipped to Psychemedics' College of
American Pathologists (CAP) and ISO/IEC 17025:2005 certified
laboratory. Unlike urinalysis or oral fluid testing which typically
detects drug use for only the previous one to three days,
Psychemedics hair analysis can detect use over the previous few
months.
Advancing The Science Of Hair Testing
Psychemedics
believes that it is the first laboratory in the world to develop
and market a hair test for Synthetic Cannabinoids for the
workplace. Continued advancement in the science of hair testing is
critical to Psychemedics, and the development of this new test
provides the market with a unique and reliable test that identifies
and measures the use of Synthetic Cannabinoids over a period of
time.
Raymond C. Kubacki, Chairman and
CEO, stated:
"We are excited to be the first
hair testing laboratory to announce the availability of a Synthetic
Cannabinoids test for the workplace. The abuse of Synthetic
Cannabinoids is on the rise, and can have dangerous
consequences. While frequently marketed as 'safe', Synthetic
Cannabinoids are responsible for tens of thousands of emergency
room visits every year. Alarmingly, Synthetic Cannabinoids
are the second-most abused drug by high school-aged
students.
"For over 30 years, our company
has been proud to offer the most effective hair testing technology
based upon scientifically validated drug testing methods. This
first-of-its-kind technology provides our clients with another
method to keep their drug testing programs current as drug
challenges change and evolve."
About Psychemedics Corporation
Psychemedics
Corporation is the world's largest provider of hair testing for
drugs of abuse and has been successfully operating for over 30
years. Thousands of corporations rely on the patented Psychemedics
drug testing services. Psychemedics' clients include over 10% of
the Fortune 500, some of the largest police departments in America,
Federal Reserve Banks, and schools.
For more information, visit the Psychemedics Corporation website
at www.psychemedics.com.
Contact:
Raymond C. Kubacki
Chairman & CEO
(978) 206-8220
Cautionary Statement for purposes of the "safe harbor"
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995: From time to time, information provided by Psychemedics
may contain forward-looking information that involves risks and
uncertainties. In particular, statements contained in this
release that are not historical facts (including but not limited to
statements concerning technological changes, technological
advantages, regulatory matters, implementation of new testing
procedures and processes, research and development, future business
and marketing strategies) may be "forward looking"
statements. Actual results may differ from those stated in
any forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such
differences include but are not limited to risks associated with
implementation of new testing procedures and methodologies
including training, personnel changes, changes in supplier
relationships, customer contract provisions and customer
relationships, government regulation, including but not limited to
FDA regulations, competition and general economic conditions and
other factors disclosed in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
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SOURCE Psychemedics Corporation