A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a lab report that verifies the safety and contents of cannabis products.
If you have a thirst for learning, you can dive deeper here: What Is A Cannabis Certificate of Analysis?
Now, if you’ve glanced at a COA and all those numbers and abbreviations made your head spin, trust me, you’re not alone.
Whether its a CBG gummy, CBN oil, Pet CBD product, or CBD topical, here’s how to read COA effectively:
1. Check the Basics
- Date: COAs over 1 year old are expired
- Product Details: Match the brand name and batch number with your product label
- Lab Name: Verify it’s a real, credentialed laboratory. Since there are many different ways to do this, we created a separate guide on how to verify the cannabis lab found on a CoA.
2. Understand Key Terms
- NT (Not Tested): This test wasn’t performed
- ND (Non-Detectable): The substance wasn’t found
- <LOQ (Less Than Limit of Quantitation): Present but too small to measure accurately
- LOD (Limit of Detection): Smallest amount equipment can detect
3. Read the Results Summary
- Shows which ingredients were tested
- Indicates pass/fail status
- Lists detected cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, CBN, THC, etc.)
- Reports presence of harmful substances
4. Check Cannabinoid Potency
- Results (mg/g): Amount per gram of product (e.g., 25mg/g means 25 milligrams of CBD in each gram)
- Results (mg/mL): Amount per milliliter for liquids (e.g., 50mg/mL means 50 milligrams of CBD per milliliter)
- Percentage (%): Proportion of each ingredient (e.g., 5% means 5 out of 100 parts is that compound)
- Empty spaces indicate undetectable amounts (meaning that compound wasn’t found in testing)
- Federal law requires ≤0.3% Delta-9 THC (this is the compound that can cause psychoactive effects)
5. Review Safety Results
Look for these potential contaminants:
- Heavy metals (like lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium – these should be minimal or absent)
- Pesticides (agricultural chemicals that should not be present in the final product)
- Residual solvents (chemicals used in extraction that should be removed during processing)
- Microbial impurities (harmful bacteria or mold that could cause illness)
- Mycotoxins (dangerous compounds produced by certain molds)
Important Considerations
Product Claims
- Compare advertised cannabinoid levels with COA results (e.g., if the label says 1000mg CBD, the COA should confirm this)
- For “full spectrum” products, verify multiple cannabinoids are present (true full spectrum contains various beneficial compounds, not just CBD)
- Check if advertised strengths match lab results (a 10% variance is generally acceptable in the industry)
Safety and Compliance
- Ensure contaminant levels are below action limits
- Verify Delta-9 THC levels for legal compliance
- Consider THC content if drug testing is a concern
Red Flags
- Missing safety tests (a complete COA should include all relevant safety panels)
- Expired COAs (remember: over 1 year old is too old)
- Mismatched batch numbers (the COA batch number should exactly match your product’s batch number)
- Inconsistencies between label claims and results (major differences could indicate mislabeling or quality issues)
- Unlicensed testing facilities (reputable labs should have state licenses and proper accreditation)
Summary
Reading a COA doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This 5-point checklist helps you verify product safety, potency, and quality claims. Remember to check basics like dates and batch numbers, understand key terms, review cannabinoid content, and verify safety test results. Pay attention to red flags and product-specific considerations.
Have Questions?
- Confused about specific test results?
- Need help understanding measurement units?
- Want to learn more about state-specific requirements?
- Curious about other aspects of COA interpretation?
We’re here to help!
Drop your questions in the comments below, and our expert team will provide detailed answers. Your safety matters to us, and no question is too basic when it comes to understanding your CBD products.
