Why are COAs important?
Certificate of Analysis, more commonly referred to as COA, is the document that should be provided by the product manufacturer that details the ingredients and potency they claim is in their products. If you’re looking to purchase anything weed related, it’s important that you’re well-versed in reading COAs and lab reports. Currently, the weed industry is largely unregulated by the FDA especially for recreational products; this poses the possibility that manufacturers can essentially put anything in their products and simply advertise it as “CBD” or “THC” without any consequences. If the product and brand in question does not provide any form of COAs or lab reports, this is a definite red flag and consumers should be wary and avoid it at all costs.
What should you be looking for in a COA?
First, it is very important that the COA specifies that the product is third-party lab tested. This means that the manufacturer is sending their products to an independent company to test the product components, ensuring full impartiality and transparency. In the COA, there are three main components consumers should pay attention to: sample information, test information, and final approval.
The sample information details the type of product that is being tested, what kind of test is being administered, and other specificities about the sample itself. This includes, the sample name, batch ID, type of sample (e.g. plant, concentrate, etc.), what’s being tested, and the test ID.
Next, consumers should be aware of what compounds to look for in the lab results. Of course, consumers should look for the specific cannabinoid they are purchasing (e.g. delta-8 THC). For example, if the product is claiming to be a delta-8 THC tincture, then there should be a high percentage of said cannabinoid. In the picture referenced below, it can be seen that the delta-8 THC content is 0.945, which translates to 94.5% of the product. Other cannabinoids that are commonly seen on these reports include THC, THCa, CBC, CBG, CBN, and more. Oftentimes, reports will not have a full list of the possible cannabinoids or will simply list them as “ND” or non-detected.
Lastly, consumers should make sure that a final approval signature is present. This shows the signature and name of the analyst that performed the test as well as when this product was approved. There should also be a second signature that indicates another analyst reviewed the test data and seconds the approval signed by the first analyst.
What are some other compounds to be aware of?
Although it is important to confirm the cannabinoid compound in a product, consumers should also consider taking the extra step in making sure that there are no harmful chemicals or components incorporated. Consumers should be wary of any type of pesticides, herbicides, growth hormones, and fertilizers. Furthermore, microbes or any form of living organisms should be avoided as well. Lastly, chemical solvents, specifically any form of glycols (e.g. PEG: polyethylene glycol, PG: propylene glycol, etc.) are red flags as well. However, lab reports for dangerous byproducts, microbes, and other detrimental chemical solvents are less commonly displayed on product sites and listings. If desired, consumers can always request for these documents and reputable brands that truly care for their customers will most likely be fully transparent with these additional lab reports. On the other hand, if brands refuse, this may serve as a cautionary sign in itself for consumers.
