Cannabinoid Profiling Services

Cannabinoid Profiling.png

Phytocannabinoids and terpenes are the primary compounds found in cannabis that provide the health benefits and effects experienced by consumers. The most well-known and common cannabinoids are Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD), but there are more than 100 other cannabinoids that have been identified. Several cannabinoids are scientifically studied and known to have health and medicinal benefits.

Why cannabinoid profiling?

Both medical cannabis patients and adult-use consumers need to know what’s precisely in the cannabis they’re about to consume. Particularly, the cannabinoid profile informs customers and consumers about the potency and concentration of active cannabinoids in cannabis (either hemp or marijuana). It is extremely important that cannabis is labeled with all of the active ingredients and their potencies, so consumers can properly assess how their product of choice may influence how they feel and support their overall goals for consumption, whether to relieve pain, alleviate a health issue, or to relax on the weekend.

It’s not just about the percentages of phytocannabinoids (and terpenes) contained within a product, but about how much is present in relation to the other ingredients in the product. When taking into account how phytocannabinoids and terpenes interact with each other and with your body’s endocannabinoid system, this is called the entourage effect.

Cultivators and product manufacturers may seek out cannabinoid profiling for other reasons, including:

  • Accurate profiling and labeling, which has an impact on: 

    • doctors determining accurate dosage 

    • dispensaries recommending various strains and products to consumers

    • consumers selecting the right cannabis product to fit their health and personal needs 

  • Product quality verification

  • Meet regulatory compliance requirements as laid out by state cannabis licensing boards.

How is cannabinoid profiling performed?

There are several methods utilized to conduct cannabinoid profiling to obtain an accurate profile. One prominent method involves using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). High performance liquid chromatography uses a solvent and UV targeting to analyze an isolated compound. This method does not use heat.

Terpene profiling utilizes a different technique. If you’re looking for more information on terpene profiling, visit our resource center for more information on this service.

Does New Jersey require cannabinoid profiling testing?

The State of New Jersey requires licensed cultivators and processors (for medical cannabis dispensaries, these were formally called alternative treatment centers, or ATCs) to test for cannabinoid presence and potency. The state then publishes these results for public viewing.

Work with True Labs for Cannabis for cannabinoid profiling services

True Labs for Cannabis tests for and quantifies a wide range of cannabinoids and their quantities, including: 

  • ∆9-THC* delta-9 (or d-9) Tetrahydrocannabinol 

  • THCA* d9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid 

  • ∆8-THC delta-8 (or d-8) Tetrahydrocannabinol 

  • THCV Tetrahydrocannabivarin

  • THCVA Tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid 

  • CBD* Cannabidiol

  • CBDA* Cannabidiolic acid

  • CBDV Cannabidivarin

  • CBDVA Cannabidivarinic acid

  • CBG* Cannabigerol

  • CBGA Cannabigerolic acid

  • CBC Cannabichromene

  • CBCA Cannabichromenic acid

  • CBN* Cannabinol

Cannabinoids indicated with an asterisk (*) are required to be tested for according to the Maryland State Medical Marijuana program, and are the minimum typically tested for in most states.

Our northern New Jersey-based analytical laboratory works with medical and soon-to-be adult-use cannabis companies all around the state. Our facility also accepts and tests samples from industrial hemp grown in the Garden State, parts of New York, and Pennsylvania, as well as hemp-derived product samples from across the United States. 

Our leadership team brings decades of combined hands-on experience in operations, cannabis lab testing facilities, and cannabis and hemp industry activism -- experience fostered right here in the northeastern United States. Visit our services page to learn more about our cannabis testing packages, and contact True Labs for Cannabis to learn more about how we can help you.