One of the primary benefits of cannabis legalization is access to safely tested products. Gone are the days of buying cannabis from an unknown source, with no information about its potency or potential contaminants.

Strict regulations are now in place for the growing, processing, and distribution of cannabis. Nowadays, all legally sold cannabis must undergo rigorous testing for potency, pesticides, heavy metals and microbial contamination. This ensures that consumers are receiving safe and accurately labelled products.

Certificates of Analysis (COA), reports that outline the testing results, are issued for each batch of cannabis products. They detail the levels of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids present in the product, as well as any detected contaminants.

The result? Greater confidence and peace of mind for consumers who want to know what they’re putting in their bodies. Sure, it's not a perfect system (as sky-high potency levels in some products have shown), but it's certainly a step in the right direction.

Head over to any Herbal Dispatch product page and you'll find a comprehensive COA available for download. Here's how to read and understand them:

Meet the cannabinoids

The potency section of a COA lists the concentrations of various cannabinoids present in the product. These cannabinoids are typically measured in milligrams per gram (mg/g) or as a percentage of the total product weight. For example, a COA might indicate that a cannabis flower contains 20% THC, or 200 mg/g.

Key cannabinoids to look for include:

THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol): The primary psychoactive compound in cannabis.

CBD (Cannabidiol): Known for its potential therapeutic benefits without psychoactive effects.

CBG (Cannabigerol): A non-psychoactive compound with anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties.

CBN (Cannabinol): May have sedative effects and potentially aid in sleep.

CBC (Cannabichromene): May have potential anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin): A cannabinoid that may suppress appetite and have potential neuroprotective effects.

Some reports will list THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) and CBDA (cannabidiolic acid), the precursors to THC and CBD. When heated (or decarboxylated), THCA converts to THC, and CBDA converts to CBD. COAs will often show both the raw and activated forms of these cannabinoids.

One thing to note - the acid forms of THC and CBD (THCA and CBDA) do not convert to their active form at a 1:1 ratio. For example, if a flower contains 20% THCA, it will contain 87.7% THC after decarboxylation, or 17.54% THC. Keep this in mind when comparing COAs between products.

The terpene effect

Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in cannabis that contribute to its scent, flavour, and potentially its effects. Terpenes are not unique to cannabis, and they can be found in all types of plants, fruits, and herbs.

Some COAs will include a list of the top terpenes found in a strain, along with their corresponding percentages. If you're seeking a specific aroma or flavour in your cannabis, knowing the terpene profile can be helpful.

Common terpenes include:

Myrcene: Earthy and musky, may have relaxing effects.

Limonene: Citrusy aroma, potentially uplifting.

Pinene: Pine scent, may promote alertness.

Linalool: Floral notes, possibly calming.

Caryophyllene: Spicy, peppery, may have anti-inflammatory properties

Limonene: Citrusy aroma, potentially uplifting.

Terpinolene: Smoky, woodsy scent, may have sedative effects

Humulene: Woody, herbal aroma, possibly anti-inflammatory

Ocimene: Sweet and herbaceous, may have antifungal properties

Terpene testing is not a mandatory requirement for cannabis products, so not all strains will have this information available. If available, product pages at Herbal Dispatch will list the top 3 terpenes found in that particular strain. Hover over to the terpene listed on the product page, and a tooltip will appear, providing a brief description of its aroma and its effects.

Testing for contaminants

Safety is paramount in cannabis consumption. Products must be tested for contaminants such as pesticides, mould, heavy metals and residual solvents before being sold to consumers.

Third-party testing labs are responsible for analyzing and reporting any contaminants found in the product. If a product fails to meet safety standards, it cannot be released for sale.

Key areas of testing include:

Microbial contaminants: Testing for bacteria, mould, and yeast to prevent infections or allergic reactions.

Heavy metals: Detection of metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, which can be toxic.

Pesticides: Ensuring that pesticide residues are below permissible limits.

Residual solvents: Confirming that solvents used in extraction processes are adequately removed.

Results are typically reported as "Pass" or "Fail," with "ND (Not Detected)". Reports may also show a concentration level listed for detected contaminants, with the acceptable limit stated in regulations or industry standards.

Here are some of the terms you may encounter when viewing the contaminants portion of a COA:

ND (Not Detected): The substance was not found at detectable levels.

LOQ (Limit of Quantification): The smallest concentration that can be reliably measured.

LOD (Limit of Detection): The lowest amount of a substance that can be detected, but not necessarily quantified.

PPM (Parts Per Million) and PPB (Parts Per Billion): Units of measurement for contaminants.

CFU/g (Colony Forming Units per Gram): A measure of microbial contamination.

Familiarize yourself with these terms as you'll likely encounter them frequently when looking at COAs. Refer to the Health Canada website for more information on these and other terms related to cannabis testing.

The journey to confidence

Gone are the days when testing was done through smell, taste and burn. With a legal market and rigorous testing standards in place, consumers can feel confident that the products they are purchasing are safe and accurately labelled. Knowledge is power, and understanding COAs is your ticket to informed consumption. Enjoy the journey!