One of Minnesota's longstanding cannabis testing labs has ended its cannabis and hemp testing program following regulatory troubles.
Legend Technical Services announced this week it has shut down its cannabis testing program. This comes weeks after the state’s cannabis agency froze Legend’s cannabis testing license after the lab failed to complete compliance requirements.
“We no longer see the Minnesota Cannabis Program fitting with our long-term corporate plans for the laboratory and consulting services at LEGEND,” Legend said in a written statement. “Under the current regulatory framework, we do not see foresee an ability to continue to meet our client expectations in an economically viable manner.”
Legend was founded in 1991 and was the first to develop testing methods for cannabis after Minnesota legalized medical use in 2014. It also does environmental and medical device testing.
The statement also described the circumstances around the decision as a “mutually frustrating period of change.” Legend’s cannabis and hemp program manager, Taylor Schertler, told MPR News that employees were informed of the decision last Friday and a few were let go.
He says he was one of at least three employees laid off.
“The main feeling was kind of a shock and bafflement that this decision to me, at least, seemed sudden,” Schertler said.
He says the decision has already shaken up the industry. Minnesota currently has five other licensed testing labs: ChRi Labs, Adams Independent Testing, PhytoLab, True North Analytical and Fina Lab. Three of them can do full compliance testing.
Back in February, testing backlogs meant turnaround times at Legend and ChRi — Minnesota’s two longest-running labs — stretched up to three weeks. Legend’s absence has left a gap among the remaining labs, most of which are new, and will likely lead to longer turnaround times for cannabis and hemp testing.
According to Schertler, the lab was working with some of the biggest players in the cannabis market including the two major medical cannabis businesses and several tribal nations — all who now have to find a new lab. MPR News reached out to several for comment and did not immediately hear back.
Less than a month ago, state regulators paused cannabis testing at Legend because it had not met security and testing requirements. Office of Cannabis Management communications director Josh Collins said the agency allowed Legend to operate because of sufficient testing capacity, but the lab had to complete “method validations.”
“We are disappointed to hear their decision, as Legend has been a part of Minnesota’s medical cannabis program since its inception,” Collins said. “The integrity, health, and safety of Minnesota’s cannabis market depend on all testing facility license holders being held to the same standards, including being able to demonstrate validated testing methods and ensuring minimum security measures are in place. Businesses must decide if they are willing to meet those consistent requirements if they intend to participate as a license holder in Minnesota’s cannabis industry.”
Collins says all of the remaining labs are close to or already meeting the recommended 10-day turnaround time for testing to move product to market.
“OCM will continue to prioritize the development of a robust testing infrastructure to support the state’s emerging adult-use cannabis industry,” he said.
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card (see rates and fees) comes with a generous welcome offer of 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This card is the mid-tier version of the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card (see rates and fees), which is currently offering 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
With the Autograph Journey, you’ll enjoy perks like a $50 annual statement credit for airfare purchases (with a $50 minimum airline purchase) and bonus points on travel and dining purchases. The latter is a benefit of the Autograph Card as well, though select travel categories, like hotels and airfare, earn fewer points per dollar spent with the no-annual-fee card.
Previously, Wells Fargo Rewards points earned with Wells Fargo credit cards could only be redeemed at 1 cent each, making the Autograph Journey bonus worth $600 and the Autograph Card bonus worth $200. However, Wells Fargo introduced a number of travel transfer partners that allow you to use your rewards points with eight frequent flyer programs and two hotel loyalty programs for better value (up to $960 and $320, respectively, when redeemed for travel).
Here is everything you need to know about Wells Fargo’s transfer partners so you can get the most value out of your hard-earned Wells Fargo points.
You can transfer Wells Fargo points to the following programs at a 1:1 ratio (unless otherwise noted):
Aer Lingus, British Airways and Iberia all use Avios as their program currency. They can be transferred between any of these programs (including Finnair Plus and Qatar Airways Privilege Club) in any direction at a 1:1 rate; so, even if only one of these three programs was a Wells Fargo transfer partner, you could still easily transfer Avios to all three of the programs, as well as to Finnair Plus and Qatar Airways Privilege Club.
Similarly, you can link your Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Virgin Red accounts to transfer your Virgin points between both programs. If you want to book Virgin Atlantic flights, you can use Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Virgin Red offers members the chance to redeem rewards for other trip details, such as food tours, excursions and hotel stays.
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Once you have earned Wells Fargo points from an Autograph card at the end of each billing cycle, they will be available in your Wells Fargo account. You could elect to redeem them through the Wells Fargo Rewards portal at 1 cent each or transfer them to one of the partner programs above at a 1:1 rate (except for Choice Privileges and Wyndham Rewards, which are 1:2).
You must first link any transfer partners in your Wells Fargo account by adding their membership numbers so you can easily transfer to them.
Thankfully, unlike other transferable currencies, there’s no minimum transfer amount, and you aren’t limited to specific increments. In fact, you could transfer just a single point if needed. This allows you to transfer the exact number you need for your specific redemption — rather than being forced to round up to the next multiple of 1,000, which can leave you with orphaned points or miles in a loyalty account.
Transfers are not reversible, so make sure you want to proceed before making the transfer.
WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS
What are the best Wells Fargo transfer partners?
There are great ways to maximize the value of Wells Fargo transfer partners. Here are some of our favorites:
British Airways Club members can book American Airlines and Alaska Airlines partner flights traveling up to 650 miles within North America for 13,500 Avios on all dates, plus taxes and fees of just $5.60. An example of such a route includes flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to San Diego International Airport (SAN). Since American operates using dynamic pricing, redeeming Avios could be significantly cheaper and a better use of your rewards. However, it’s always best to double-check before transferring and redeeming your points.
Iberia Club business class to Europe costs just 40,500 Avios (plus reasonable taxes and fees) each way on off-peak dates for the following routes: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in Costa Rica, Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD).
Flying Blue prices its awards dynamically; however, the program has now standardized saver-level pricing for all one-way flights between the U.S. and Europe, regardless of origin or destination. This means you can connect at no extra cost from as little as 25,000 miles in economy, 40,000 miles in premium economy or 60,000 miles in business class. Also, check out the program’s Promo Rewards, where select routes are discounted even further.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club does impose high surcharges on its award tickets, but you can find great deals, such as flying from the East Coast to the U.K. during off-peak dates for just 6,000 points. Plus, if you book a partner award redemption, such as a main cabin Delta Air Lines flight from the U.S. to Europe, you’ll pay significantly lower surcharges. While the flight will cost you more Virgin points, it’s likely to be far fewer points than Delta SkyMiles charges its own members for the exact same flight.
Choice Privileges has well-located properties in Europe and Japan for 12,000 points or less per night. Choice points can also provide great value in the U.S. For example, some solid-value Choice Hotels are near national parks and in large cities.
Remember, transfers are irreversible, so it’s important to double-check airline and hotel availability before proceeding.
BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY
How do I earn Wells Fargo points?
You can earn Wells Fargo points from the following credit cards.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card
THE POINTS GUY
Current welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This card comes with a $50 annual statement credit for airfare purchases (a $50 minimum applies) and valuable earnings rates on travel and dining purchases.
Annual fee: $95.
Earning rates:
5 points per dollar spent at hotels
4 points per dollar spent on airline purchases
3 points per dollar spent on other travel and restaurant purchases
1 point per dollar spent on other purchases
Some other cards require travel to be booked through the card provider’s travel portal to earn bonus points. With the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card, you’ll earn bonus points for booking directly with the airline or hotel, meaning you’ll never miss out on earning points and utilizing elite status benefits.
Current welcome bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $0.
Earning rates:
3 points per dollar spent on restaurant purchases (including takeout, catering and food delivery services)
3 points per dollar spent on travel (including airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises)
3 points per dollar spent at gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations
3 points per dollar spent on transit, eligible streaming services and phone plans
1 point per dollar spent on other purchases
Plus, you’ll enjoy up to $600 in cellular telephone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly bill with the card (subject to a $25 deductible).
The Wells Fargo transfer partner list may be small, but there are some excellent redemption options. Additionally, the ability to transfer points in any amount provides valuable flexibility that other credit card currencies lack.
We hope this transfer partner list will continue to grow and that the product evolves.
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