With the legalization of cannabis marijuana, cannabis testing is now an integral part of the emerging industry. Cannabis testing allows growers and sellers to comply with the state’s laws while offering high-quality, easy-to-dose products that customers can be confident about eating.
Cannabis samples must be carefully processed before being tested. The methods to prepare samples will differ dependent on the type of analysis, the equipment used, and the specific laboratory’s requirements and preferences.
All cannabis samples, including dried and fresh flowers, extracts, tinctures, edibles, and concentrates, are tested in labs. The type of specimen being examined determines the method to prepare the sample.
Benefits of Cannabis Testing
New laws have been created to protect the purity and substance of cannabis as the drug grows more accepted and is available for purchase. Like all food items or drugs, it is now subject to set rules and regulations that a cannabis testing facility may examine. Here are a few benefits of testing cannabis with equipment. Consult an expert in cannabis testing for more information.
Potency
Cannabis is analyzed for its potency, specifically for THC and CBD, and how these quantities influence the dosage. Metrics include the number of cannabinoids, the ratio of CBD to THC within the product, and the number of cannabinoids per weight.
Testing guarantees that the quality and potency of the product match expectations. CBD testing can aid in finding ways to enhance the future crops of a particular strain.
Chemical Contamination
Cannabis plants, after all, and unless the plant is organically grown, frequently use fertilizers, insecticides, and other chemical compounds to boost growth and deter and eradicate pests. Although these chemicals support the plant’s growth and development, the leftovers risk consumers’ health and safety.
Furthermore, many pesticides, hormones, and other substances are banned and must be removed before an item is offered for sale. Testing is required to comply with legal standards.
Mold, Fungus, and Mildew
In addition, cannabis should be examined for dangerous live contaminants, like molds, bacteria, mildew, and fungi which could cause mycotoxins that threaten users’ health. People with weak immune systems that use cannabis for medicinal reasons are more vulnerable to illness if cannabis is loaded with these toxins. Testing is necessary to verify the absence of contamination, as contaminants can be introduced into cannabis during processing, manufacturing, and packing. Visit a lab like BelCosta Labs cannabis testing in California for reliable results.
Terpene Analysis
The chemical components known as terpenes are what give cannabis and its distinctive aromas and scents. They can also have an impact on cannabis’ therapeutic advantages. Tests identify the various terpene types present in a sample, their pharmacological benefits, and the most suitable strain to treat specific ailments and medical conditions.
Terpene analysis also helps to prevent related strains from being incorrectly advertised and sold under multiple brand names. It generally helps determine the strain’s health levels when used by medical professionals.
Other Contaminants
Cannabis can be contaminated with substances other than pesticides, hormones, solvents, and bacteria, including heavy metals like mercury, lead, and cadmium, that can enter the plant from the ground. While growing or packaging, the product could come into contact with usual impurities like hair dust, dirt, and excrement. In addition, cannabis testing can identify those and other contaminants that could cause harm to consumers and alert the analysts.
