What Does a Cannabis Testing Lab Do?
When you think of the legal cannabis industry, you may think of dispensaries or cultivation before a cannabis testing lab. Although cultivation facilities and dispensaries are more common touchstones for consumers, businesses producing cannabis products of all kinds must become equally well acquainted with the laboratory.
As an irreplaceable part of the quality assurance process, cannabis labs are responsible for assuring that only those products adhering to consumer safety requirements reach store shelves, as well as informing producers and consumers alike as to what exactly is in their products. Read on to learn more about the pivotal role cannabis testing laboratories play in the legal cannabis industry.
In this article you will learn:
What a cannabis testing lab is
What a cannabis testing lab does
How a cannabis testing lab works
What is a cannabis testing laboratory?
A cannabis testing laboratory is a facility outfitted with the equipment needed to analyze samples of cannabis products for potency, contamination, and other factors as determined by local regulations. They are operated by expert staff, including trained analysts who employ various methodologies and equipment to evaluate samples to determine what compounds are present and in what amounts.
Cannabis testing is critical for ensuring consumer safety. Analysts are the first and last line of defense between consumers and contaminated or low-quality products. They also ensure that brands accurately represent their products to consumers, as third-party testing results are often required as part of the packaging of cannabis products in many states.
Interested in working for a cannabis laboratory? Check out the True Labs for Cannabis guide to cannabis testing lab jobs in New Jersey and beyond.
What do cannabis testing labs analyze?
Cannabis testing lab analysts carefully examine samples through a range of cutting-edge processes to determine many important things about a cannabis product. These include information about:
Phytocannabinoid profile: Most people know to look for how much THC or CBD is in a cannabis product, and they may also be on the lookout for minor cannabinoids like CBN. These amounts are measured through phytocannabinoid profiling.
Terpene profile: Similarly to phytocannabinoid profiling, terpene profiling involves identifying and quantifying the amounts of terpenes in a sample. Terpenes are scented, flavorful compounds that are thought to offer some additional therapeutic effects of their own.
Contaminants: Cannabis can become contaminated in multiple ways. From pesticides and microbes to residual solvents and heavy metals, cannabis products can be contaminated at virtually any stage of the supply chain. Most states require testing for some contaminants.
Homogeneity: Homogeneity refers to the even dispersion of compounds in a product. Especially useful for cannabis products like edibles, homogeneity tests help producers create a product that offers consistent serving sizes and reliable experiences.
Moisture levels and water activity: The more moisture retained in harvested cannabis flower, the higher the risk of growing molds or mildews. Moisture testing and a water activity analysis can provide peace of mind that flower has been properly dried and cured and is ready for transport to the dispensary.
For a full list of the things a cannabis testing laboratory can do, see the services offered by True Labs for Cannabis NJ.
Three reasons why cannabis testing is important
Cannabis testing is an often unsung but critically important part of the legal cannabis industry. As the primary pillar of quality assurance, a reliable cannabis testing partner is essential for any cannabis producer.
Cannabis testing is legally required for consumer safety
Consumer safety is first and foremost. Cannabis, like any agricultural crop, can become contaminated at any point in the supply chain. Cannabis testing labs exist to catch that contamination before it reaches store shelves. This is such an important part of why cannabis testing labs exist that all states with legal cannabis programs also have strict regulations about cannabis testing requirements.
Although the exact rules vary from state to state, cannabis producers must demonstrate that their products meet state safety and quality assurance requirements. In New Jersey, these requirements currently include testing for phytocannabinoid potency, as well as contaminants like pesticides and heavy metals.
Cannabis testing helps establish customer loyalty
Beyond legal compliance, cannabis producers rely on cannabis test results to demonstrate to their customers that their products are high-quality, safe, and reliable. Especially in emerging markets like New Jersey, cannabis producers need something to help them gain a competitive advantage -- for many, it is third-party test results that spell out in plain data what sets their products apart.
Cannabis testing helps brands refine products
Finally, cannabis producers can also rely on lab test results to refine their own products and brand unique formulas. For example, terpene profiling enables brands to curate and replicate a precise terpene profile that creates a recognizable aroma and flavor. Similarly, homogeneity testing offers producers a way to ensure each product will provide consumers with the consistent experience they expect.
True Labs for Cannabis serves the New Jersey cannabis industry
As a full-service cannabis testing laboratory, True Labs for Cannabis is dedicated to helping grow the legal cannabis industry in the Garden State. New Jersey cannabis producers need to differentiate themselves in the newly legal adult-use market. And as more competition comes online, consumers will have more choice (and education) than ever before.
Cannabis testing is about more than just legal compliance, it’s about establishing a competitive advantage and making a name for your brand in a fiercely competitive space. Show consumers what sets you apart by getting a full breakdown of what is in your cannabis products from True Labs for Cannabis.