After the legalization of cannabis marijuana, cannabis testing is an essential part of the industry. Cannabis testing permits growers and sellers to comply with the state’s regulations while providing top-quality simple-to-dose items that consumers can trust to consume.
The cannabis samples should be meticulously made before they are analyzed. The methods used for sample preparation will vary according to the analysis, the available equipment, 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 to be examined determines the sample’s preparation method.
Benefits of Cannabis Testing
Several laws have been formulated to safeguard the purity and content of cannabis as it is more widely recognized and readily available to purchase. Like any other food or drug, cannabis is now subject to rules and specifications that a testing facility can go through. Here are some of the benefits of testing cannabis with equipment. See here for additional details.
Potency
Cannabis is evaluated for potency, particularly the quantities of THC and CBD in the product and how these affect the dosage. Metrics include the cannabinoids present, the ratio of CBD and THC, and the number of cannabinoids in the yield per weight.
Testing assures that the product’s potency and quality meet expectations. Potency testing can aid in determining ways to increase the effectiveness of a specific strain’s subsequent crops.
Chemical Contamination
Cannabis is a plant, at the very least. Unless you grow it organically, it will often use pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemical substances to promote growth and prevent and eliminate insects. While these substances support the plant’s growth, any leftovers risk the consumer’s health and safety.
Additionally, certain pesticides, hormones, and other products are prohibited and must not be present in products to sell. Testing is required to comply with legal standards. Cannabis testing in California has reliable results.
Mold, Fungus, and Mildew
Additionally, cannabis must be tested for dangerous live contaminants, like molds, bacteria, mildew, and fungi which can cause mycotoxins that could be hazardous to the users’ health. Patients with compromised immune systems who use cannabis for medicinal purposes are at risk if cannabis includes these toxins. Testing is essential at some point to confirm that contamination is not occurring since contaminants can enter cannabis during processing, manufacturing, and packaging.
Terpene Analysis
The chemical elements called terpenes provide cannabis and other plants with their distinctive scents and aromas. They can also affect cannabis’s therapeutic benefits. Testing helps identify the different kinds of terpenes present in the sample, their pharmacological uses, and the most suitable strain to treat specific ailments and medical issues.
Terpene analysis also helps to prevent related strains from being incorrectly branded and sold under several brands. In general, it helps in determining the strain’s safety levels when intended for use by medical patients. Visit a website like https://belcostalabs.com/services/cannabis-testing/potency-testing/ for additional information.
Other Contaminants
Cannabis can be contaminated by chemical compounds other than pesticides, chemicals, solvents, and bacteria, like heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, or lead, that can enter the plant through the soil. The product may come into contact with ordinary impurities such as hair, dirt, dust, and excrement when grown or packed. Once more, cannabis tests can detect any of them and other contaminants that could cause harm to consumers and alert the analysts.
