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