Since the legalization of cannabis for recreational and medical use in California, the industry has grown quicker than one could have imagined. With so many different producers manufacturing retail products and the wide variety of products available to consumers, safety and quality could not be more important. Whether you are a producer or consumer, this article is here to provide you with the many benefits of third-party cannabis testing. Starting with the basics, we will explain what third-party testing is, what types of tests can be performed, and how the results are documented. Read along to learn more about third-party cannabis testing and the many benefits to both consumers and producers.
Understanding Third-Party Cannabis Testing
A third-party cannabis testing lab receives products from individual companies for various testing. This testing is conducted to help ensure safety, quality, purity, and potency.
When cannabis testing is performed by the producer, it is referred to as in-house testing. In California, it is mandated that cannabis is tested by a third-party cannabis testing lab.
Third-party labs can be used to comply with standards and also for research and development purposes.
Types of Tests Performed by Third-Party Labs
Potency Testing: Potency testing measures the amount of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids present in the sample.
Potency testing provides the ability to accurately label products for dosage, which is vital for the consumer’s safety and satisfaction.
Contaminant Testing: Contaminant testing measures for any potential pesticides, heavy metals, and microbial contaminants like mold and bacteria.
Again, compliance is a major factor in testing for contaminants, but consumer safety is an equally important reason.
Terpene Profiling: Testing for terpenes, a naturally occurring compound in the cannabis plant, includes the identification of types of terpenes and quantity.
Terpenes are responsible for the aroma, flavor, and therapeutic effects of cannabis products. Testing for terpenes provides valuable insight into the quality of the product, expected flavor and aroma, and its potential for therapeutic effect.
Results and Documentation of Third-Party Testing
Certificate of Analysis: Once a product has been tested by a third-party cannabis testing lab, the results will be documented on a certificate of analysis, known as a COA. This is a summary of all results and confirms if a product meets certain specifications.
What’s Found on the COA: On the certificate of analysis, one can find the company name, product name, tests performed, test conditions, test results, and the date of approval and signatures.
The Importance of a COA: Third-party testing and analysis is not only important for the consumer’s safety and quality of the product but also provides transparency, boosting the reliability and reputation of the manufacturer.
Benefits to Consumers
The most important factor when using any cannabis product is safety. Only a third-party cannabis testing lab can provide accurate, reliable, and transparent results, guaranteeing the safety of the product.
When purchasing cannabis products, consumers can be confident that what is on the product label is accurate.
Knowing products are labeled correctly with accurate dosages and compounds, consumers can make an educated decision on what product to choose for its specific effects and characteristics.
Consumers can trust companies that comply with third-party testing, thereby building confidence in the company’s products.
In California, third-party cannabis testing proves to the consumer that the company they are purchasing from is in legal compliance with state standards and regulations.
Benefits to Producers
For cannabis producers, the number one priority in California is compliance with the regulatory standards including third-party cannabis testing. Adhering to regulatory standards is critical to operating a legal business in California, avoiding fines, legal consequences, or license suspension or revocation.
Having products tested by third-party labs allows for accurate labeling, building consumer trust, and elevating the company’s reputation. Companies needing a cannabis testing lab in Los Angeles will benefit from teaming with an experienced lab to provide its third-party testing.
Cannabis producers can be confident in their product labeling when receiving results from third-party cannabis testing labs.
Producers can proudly publish each certificate of analysis for each of their products on their websites, providing transparency to their customers.
Having accurate third-party testing can alert the producer in a timely fashion if something is wrong with their product. This helps the producer correct the issue(s) as quickly as possible.
Having a third-party cannabis testing lab that tests for HLVD, an RNA pathogen that can affect plants and crops quickly, with the potential to wipe out entire crops, protects the producer from devastating losses.
Understanding the Benefits of Third-Party Testing
In the quick-changing landscape of cannabis, third-party testing plays an important role in ensuring quality, safety, and compliance for both consumers and producers. By providing a transparent look at potency, contaminants, and terpene profiles, third-party cannabis labs offer consumers confidence in the products they use and help producers build trust and a solid reputation. With meticulous testing and accurate labeling, both consumers and companies can participate in the cannabis market with greater assurance, knowing that every product is reliable and meets established standards. As the industry continues to grow, the importance of third-party cannabis testing cannot be overstated. Third-party cannabis testing is a safeguard that benefits everyone, ensuring that quality and safety remain front and center of cannabis production and use.
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