The Ins & Outs of Cannabidiol Lab Testing

 You know you need cannabidiol lab testing, but you’re not sure what that entails. This article is for you. Learn how facilities are structured and how states mandate the work. 

If you’re hoping to open up a business selling marijuana products, you simply must learn all about cannabidiol lab testing. Without the help of professionals working in a clean and efficient lab, your products might never leave your facility.

How Are Cannabidiol Lab Testing Facilities Structured? 

You likely test your plants every day for health and moisture content. An independent laboratory does a little bit more. 

Cannabidiol lab testing facilities typically perform tests involving:

• Potency. Learn how much CBD and THC are within your plants. 

• Contamination. Identify pesticides, molds, and heavy metals within your plants. 

• Accuracy. Ensure that your marketing materials truly describe what your products are and how they work. 

These tests don’t ensure complete safety for consumers. For example, 144 dispensaries in Colorado were impacted by a major recall involving mold and yeast on marijuana products. It’s not clear if the issue started with the grower, blossomed during manufacturing, or happened due to improper storage. 

But lab testing could help you to ensure that your products are safe and potent when they leave your hands. And that could help you to fend off lawsuits about your products. 

State Cannabidiol Lab Testing Mandates: 5 Examples 

As of February 2019, 26 states required cannabis testing. Of them, 18 required labs to be accredited. 

Rules and regulations can vary widely from state to state, as these examples make clear:

• Colorado: Cultivators are required to test for mycotoxins, pesticides, and heavy metals. 

• Delaware: Cultivators don't have to test for heavy metals, but every sample must be free of pesticides. 

• Maryland: Cultivators must test during two phases: growth and processing. Samples are tested for lead and other heavy metals, as well as insects, mold, and other impurities. 

• New York: Samples are tested for heavy metals and other traditional contaminants. But labs must also search for salmonella and E. coli. 

• Oregon: Requirements vary, depending on whether the products are usable or extracts. And more testing might be required if products are intended for further processing. 

Rely on Green Scientific Labs for your testing. Our fully qualified facility is staffed with professionals who understand all your requirements. We work quickly and efficiently so you can relax. Find out more. 

Hemp Lab Testing: What Growers Should Know

 Hemp lab testing ensures that your products are safe to both sell and use. Learn how finding the right lab partner is crucial, so you get accurate results. 

All season long, you’ve tended to your hemp crop with care. You dreamed of the profits you’d see once you sold your healthy, potent plants to happy customers. 

Without an accurate hemp lab testing machine and a proper plan, all of your hopes and dreams could go up in smoke. 

As a grower, you’re required to push your product through a hemp lab test. And the rules and regulations you must follow can vary from state to state. 

Why Is a Hemp Lab Test Required? 

Hemp crops can't contain more than 0.3 percent THC, and that level is set by the federal government. If your hemp potency tests are higher, you may be forced to destroy your entire crop. 

The USDA says sample prep and testing procedures involve nine steps:

1. The testing facility receives your sample. 

2. The material is dried, so water won’t contaminate the results. 

3. All dried plant material is ground together. 

4. The sample is split into two sections: test and retain. 

5. The retained sample is packaged and placed in safe storage. 

6. The test material is placed in a hemp lab testing machine. 

7. Moisture content is determined. 

8. Chemical analysis is performed. 

9. THC concentration is calculated based on dry weight.

This process seems straightforward, and for reputable organizations like ours, it is. We can complete tests like this with speed and accuracy. 

State Hemp Lab Testing Mandates Vary 

While federal guidelines play a role in hemp testing, some state hemp lab testing mandates can apply. 

Experts point out that state guidelines can vary by:

• Testing type. Some states require high-performance liquid chromatography. Others require gas chromatography-flame ionization detection. 

• Sampling methods. Some states require five cuttings from a plot. Others ask for more. 

• Standards used. Some states measure total THC. Others specify something different. 

Hemp growers must ensure that their testing partners understand the laws and guidelines within their states. 

At Green Scientific Labs, we're adept at parsing the rules and regulations for all states. And we pride ourselves on accurate, quick results. Find out more about who we are and what we do.