What To Look For In A Cannabis Terpene Testing Lab
Determining the terpene profile of a cannabis sample is a crucial part of cannabis testing. The flavors and aromas of terpenes combine to give products unique tastes and scents. And, as more research is performed into the therapeutic potential of cannabis, terpenes appear to play an important role alongside phytocannabinoids in supporting health and wellness.
While terpene profiling is not always legally required in states with legal cannabis markets, consumers everywhere are expecting information about which terpenes are present in the products they buy -- and it’s becoming a strong selling point for many. As a result, it benefits cultivators and manufacturers to partner with a terpene testing lab to provide dispensaries and consumers with detailed information about the bouquet of terpenes present in their products.
In this blog, you will learn:
What a terpene testing lab is
The importance of terpene testing labs
What to look for in a terpene testing lab
What is a terpene testing lab?
One of the services a cannabis testing lab may offer is terpene profiling, which enumerates the terpenes present in a product and measures the amounts of each. Typically, terpene profiling services are provided as one aspect of a cannabis analysis laboratory’s broader testing services.
Special considerations for terpene testing
A terpene testing lab can offer a terpene profile that identifies anywhere from a handful to dozens of terpenes present in a sample, as well as the amounts of each. This is typically expressed as “milligrams per gram,” or mg/g, as well as a percentage based on the overall weight of the sample.
There are a few key considerations to keep top of mind when evaluating terpene profile, so it’s best to choose a cannabis-focused laboratory that is already highly familiar with the terpenes present in cannabis.
Terpenes degrade quickly and easily
Choosing a laboratory that is experienced in cannabis terpene testing is essential because technicians and analysts must know how to preserve the compounds so they can be properly identified and measured. As crucial as terpenes are in cannabis, they are also quick to degrade and are often the first compound lost after harvest or during processing.
Terpene degradation occurs at every point following harvest, including during production, lab analysis, during transit and storage, and at the point of consumption. While most terpenes begin to degrade at temperatures around 100°F, some will start to evaporate at temperatures as low as 70°F. In other words, if a sample gets too warm, many of the terpenes boil off, which can result in inaccurate test results.
Consumer experience
Consumers are increasingly aware of the role terpenes play in the consumption experience. Providing a terpene profile helps them gain a better idea of a product's potential beneficial properties. Understanding terpene content is vital for consumers looking to target specific health issues or ailments, making terpene profiles especially useful in medical cannabis markets. As consumer awareness of terpenes increases, accurate terpene profiling is becoming the industry standard and consumers expect it to appear on all labeling and packing.
Differentiating cultivars
Every cultivar has a unique terpene profile. Because there are so many different cultivars and products available in legal markets, it is increasingly important to identify differentiating factors between each.
The ability to test products for their terpene profiles allows growers and manufacturers to ensure that their products remain consistent, helping them to establish repeatable compound profiles that result in a “brandable” product. This is critical to maintaining product consistency and developing a loyal consumer following, as customers return in hopes of having the same experience. Terpene testing labs enable producers to ensure they are hitting the mark with each production run.
Regulatory requirements
While not all states require terpene testing as a part of their regulatory programs, many do. In these states, terpene profile is required as part of a written document known as a Certificate of Analysis (CoA). A CoA is produced by a third-party terpene testing lab at the producer’s expense and includes a full breakdown of present terpenes, and other substances, and their levels. This CoA must be submitted to regulators and, in some states, made publicly available to dispensaries and consumers -- sometimes directly on product packaging or labels.
Even where terpene testing is not required by law, offering details on terpene profile can help consumers decide between two products. It also establishes feelings of trust and transparency between consumers and brands, helping producers establish themselves as sources of high quality products in emerging cannabis markets.
What to look for in a terpene testing lab
There are a lot of analytical laboratories out there, so how can cultivators and manufacturers know which to choose? When selecting a terpene testing lab to analyze samples, there are a few key things to look for, including:
Cannabis specialization
Because cannabis requires a unique set of testing needs, it is always a good idea to rely on laboratories dedicated to cannabis testing. Facilities that specialize in cannabis offer expertise in testing cannabis compounds like terpenes, which can be difficult to handle and accurately measure. It is always a good idea to look for laboratories that go above and beyond the regulatory requirements of analyses and have robust experience with cannabis, as these facilities will be able to provide the most detailed information possible on each sample.
Precise testing methods
While there are several known ways of conducting terpene profile testing, there are certainly some options that are more appropriate for the job than others. Choosing a terpene testing laboratory with the correct methodology is critical to ensuring accurate and reliable testing results. Without it, consumers are left susceptible to the dangers of inconsistency.
Gas chromatography (GC) is the optimal approach method for terpene testing labs. With GC, compounds are heated until they turn into a gas, something that terpenes’ relatively low boiling points lend themselves to. As the gaseous compounds are separated over a chromatography column, chemists use flame ionization detection (FID) and/or mass spectrometry (MS) to determine the amounts of each terpene present in the product.
Experienced leadership
Experienced laboratory employees bring a lot of value to analytical testing as well. Making sure that leadership positions like Chief Science Officer, for example, are filled by qualified candidates with cannabis expertise helps to ensure testing is thorough and compliant with cannabis-specific regulations.
Another critical element to look out for is whether they are accredited by the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) guidelines. If they are, this means they have adhered to the general requirements for testing and calibration as set out under the ISO's guidelines, which constitute best practices for testing labs.
To qualify for ISO accreditation, labs must meet a long list of checks, which cover general requirements for testing and calibration laboratories within cannabis and beyond. Set out under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 17025 covers everything from the structural requirements to process standards that labs must meet to be accredited.
New Jersey requirements for terpene testing
While New Jersey state regulations do not explicitly require terpene testing for cannabis samples, the state is currently following interim testing standards adopted by the Maryland Cannabis Commission testing regulations, which do require terpene testing and names the following terpenes:
Linalool
Citronellol
Caryophyllene Oxide
Myrcene
Beta Caryophyllene
Terpinolene
Limonene
Alpha Pinene
Alpha Humulene
Phytol
Regardless of requirements, however, it is important for cultivators and processors to obtain terpene profiling to ensure transparency and safety within their customer relations. The ability to provide this information plays a role in quality assurance and product consistency as well.
Contact True Labs for terpene testing
True Labs for Cannabis goes above and beyond what is required by the state of New Jersey.
Our WBE-certified organization, the first and only woman owned cannabis laboratory in New Jersey, offers terpene testing among many other essential tests. For more information on True Labs for Cannabis testing services, check out our full service page, or reach out to speak to one of our experts.