Spectra Analytical Lab was founded on June 4th, 2014 in Honolulu, Hawaii to help provide precise analytical testing to Hawaii's newly emerging medical cannabis industry.
As an accredited ISO/IEC 17025:2017 laboratory, Spectra Analytical Lab serves as a third-party interface between the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) and medical cannabis dispensaries. Our mission is to meticulously verify that cannabis flowers and products meet the stringent quality standards mandated by the HDOH.
Through rigorous testing, we uphold the safety and well-being of medical cannabis patients, making this process an essential cornerstone of their care. We are committed to public safety, adhering to the highest standards of laboratory compliance and testing protocols to foster a safer and more trustworthy cannabis industry in Hawaii.
At Spectra Analytical, your journey begins with a dedicated team of expert scientists, ready to provide personalized support and ensure your testing needs are met with precision and care.
A complete picture of quality and safety, in one accredited laboratory.
Cannabinoid profiles (potency testing) help producers and consumers understand the cannabinoids present in a sample, aiding dosage determination and quality control.
Aromatic, bioactive compounds that give cannabis its scent and may enhance the effects of THC and CBD through the "entourage effect."
Screening for harmful organisms such as Aspergillus spp., E. coli, Salmonella spp., and mycotoxins that can endanger patients.
Detection of extraction solvents such as butane, ethanol, and pentane that can have carcinogenic and toxic effects.
Screening for cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury, which can accumulate in the cannabis plant and cause serious harm.
Identification of pesticide residues that pose health risks to patients and consumers at elevated levels.
Expert scientists dedicated to precision, safety, and personalized care.
Michael Covington, earned a BS in Plant Physiology from the University of Florida in 1994 and a Master of Science degree in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2003. Currently Mr. Covington is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Spectra Analytical. Mr. Covington has extensive experience in laboratory management, analytical instrumentation, ISO compliance, and regulatory compliance. Mr. Covington has been working in the cannabis industry for over 5 years, including cannabinoid profiling, cannabis chemistry, and cannabis product R&D. Mr. Covington has 20+ years of experience in project management in the fields of commercial construction, engineering, solid and hazardous waste cleanup, wetland reclamation, and hydraulic restoration.
Dr. Lazaga is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Spectra Analytical. He joined after finishing his PhD from the Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology in July of 2017 from the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM). As a trained virologist, Dr. Lazaga’s dissertation was titled “Investigation of archetype human polyomavirus JCPyV cellular tropism and genomic alterations in JCPyV pathogenesis”. He also completed his Master of Science degree in Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering from UHM. His hobbies include tennis and eating. He also ran the Honolulu marathon 6 times.
David Petersen is the VP of Scientific Operations at Spectra Analytical. He joined Spectra Analytical in February 2021 after relocating from Chicago, where he studied and conducted research in microbiology and immunology at Loyola University Chicago. He completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Cellular Biology at Schreiner University in Texas. In his free time, he enjoys crocheting stuffed animals that he donates to different health-related organizations.
Aloha Garo joined Spectra Analytical in October of 2022 and currently serves as the Quality Manager. From a small town located on the North Shore of O‘ahu, Aloha graduated from Chaminade University of Honolulu in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Integrative & Organismal Biology and a minor in psychology. She completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Health Administration at Chaminade University in May of 2025. “I love being adventurous. You can catch me trying out new restaurants/cuisines, at the beach, baking, or especially at concerts of all music genres!”
Dr. Sunada is the Lab Analyst and Chemist of Spectra Analytical Lab. He joined the team after completing his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences in June 2025 from the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (DKICP) at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo (UHH). With training in pediatric oncology and molecular biology, Dr. Sunada’s dissertation was titled “Calcium Signaling Profiles in Patient-Paired High-Risk Neuroblastoma Tumors: Novel Mechanisms Driving Chemotherapy Resistance and Targeted Therapies.” He is passionate about patient care, holistic healing modalities, and alternative medicine, and enjoys spending time offline with his dog, Zero.
Held to the highest standards of laboratory compliance.
Accredited for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, the international benchmark for analytical laboratories. View certificate ›
Certified by the Hawaii Department of Health to test medical cannabis for dispensaries and 329 cardholders. View certification ›
Participant in ISO 17043-accredited industry proficiency testing, including The Emerald Test, to independently validate the accuracy of our results. See our results ›
Call or email us to schedule testing or arrange a sample drop-off on Oahu.
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