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.