Why Cannabis Testing Matters — And How To Read Lab Test Results

Licensed New York cannabis brands must test their products before dispensaries can sell them. These tests are designed to protect your safety and ensure transparency. Beyond those fundamentals, cannabis lab tests tell you a lot about what you can expect out of your experience with the product in question.

What is cannabis testing and why is it essential for quality?

Cannabis testing is the process of analyzing samples of cannabis flower or manufactured products like edibles or tinctures to determine potency, cannabinoid content, terpene profile, and whether any contaminants are present.

Why cannabis testing is crucial for product purity and compliance

Ensures product purity: how testing confirms quality

Testing ensures that the cannabis you’re bringing home is free and clear of contaminants. Without third-party testing, cannabis products may contain unsafe levels of contaminants like additives, heavy metals, mold, or residual solvents, and you’d never know.

Verifying product integrity through rigorous testing

How do you know the flower you’re buying truly contains 28% THC? Cannabis testing confirms that the contents on the label are of verified cannabis quality, as in, they match the product inside.

Certificates of analysis (CoAs), which are provided following a laboratory test, include a breakdown of cannabinoid content and terpene profile, so you know precisely what’s in the product you’ve chosen. Unlicensed cannabis sellers often won’t be able to furnish these documents, but licensed dispensaries like The Travel Agency only carry products with detailed test results that every customer can review.

How to access and understand cannabis lab test results

All cannabis products sold at a licensed dispensary must include either a link or a QR code that directs you to the complete testing results and the CoA issued by the third-party laboratory that conducted the tests. The results are spelled out plainly and are meant for anyone to easily understand, so that everyone knows the brand has tested its cannabis for quality.

The first page of a CoA includes the company name and license number. It also includes a lot of information and batch or sample ID, so you can confirm the test results are for the product you purchased. Additionally, it tells you the date the samples were collected, the date they were received, and the date test results were reported.

The next thing you’ll see is cannabinoid and terpene profiles. You’ll find the percentage and volume by weight for each one. This information can help you confirm the accuracy of what’s on the product page. More importantly, it can help you anticipate how a product may affect you.

For solid cannabis products like flower and edibles, you’ll next be able to review the water activity and moisture content test results. That’s followed by the individual results for contaminant testing.

How to verify if a dispensary is licensed

One of the easiest ways to verify a dispensary’s legitimacy is to check for a sticker with a QR code from the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) on the front door or window. All licensed dispensaries are required to display this official sticker, which signifies that they are fully authorized and regulated. If you don’t see the OCM sticker, it’s a red flag that the dispensary may not be licensed, and it’s best to avoid purchasing from it.

Beyond THC: Understanding cannabis testing standards in New York

Cannabis testing is more than just determining how much THC or CBD is in licensed cannabis dispensary products. It’s a vital tool for consumer health that checks to ensure cannabis product purity. Requirements vary from state to state; in New York, testing laboratories look for the following:

Phytocannabinoids: Cannabinoid profiling determines which phytocannabinoids, or cannabinoids from plants like cannabis, are present in the product and in what amounts. In New York, testing labs measure for 12 named cannabinoids, including delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabinol (CBN), and Cannabigerol (CBG). Labs must test for other cannabinoids that a company’s marketing materials claim are in the product.

Terpene profile: Testing laboratories look for 20 terpenes, including major players like myrcene, caryophyllene, limonene, pinene, and linalool. Terpenes influence a cannabis product’s flavor, smell, and effects, so it’s important to know the precise terpene profile of the product you choose. [You can learn more about terpenes when you visit our dispensary in Union Square by checking out The Travel Agency flower lounge.]

Homogeneity: New York labs must test five samples to ensure that they are representative of the entire product batch. Three of these samples must contain THC and CBD content within 25 percent of the mean concentration for each cannabinoid to be considered homogenous.

Microbiological contaminants: Testing labs look for Salmonella, Aspergillus, molds, and mildew. They do so through Total Aerobic Count (TAC) testing and Total Yeast and Mold Count (TYMC) testing, which estimate contamination levels and determine whether they are within a safe range.

Mycotoxins: Testing also checks whether any mycotoxins are present in the sample. Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by fungi and can be a serious health risk.

Heavy metals: Cannabis plants naturally absorb elements in the soil, and if that soil is contaminated with heavy metals, then so too is the plant’s flower. Heavy metals testing screens for lead, nickel, cadmium, and other elements to ensure these harmful heavy metals don’t make it into your products.

Water activity and moisture content: Flower and solid cannabis products are tested for water activity (aW) and moisture content within certain acceptable ranges. This ensures that products will stay fresh and won’t develop mold.

Water activity must be below 0.65 aW for dried flower and below 0.85 aW for edibles. Moisture content must range between 5% and 15% for flower and no greater than 15% for edibles.

Foreign materials: Samples are examined for non-cannabis materials like small pebbles or dirt.

Residual solvents: Products like vapes and concentrates are checked for any solvents that may have been left behind in the manufacturing process. These include hydrocarbons like butane and propane, as well as alcohol like ethanol.

Pesticides: Cultivators must declare the use of any pesticides. Labs confirm that pesticides are only present in trace, safe amounts. Unsafe products may not be sold.

As you can see, cannabis testing requirements are quite detailed — and for good reason. When you review a product’s CoA, you’ll have access to all this information.

Signs of moldy cannabis products

Regardless of testing results, it’s important to ensure everything you consume is mold-free and not past its expiration date. Start by inspecting your products closely for any unusual appearances or aromas. Mold may appear as white, gray, or even green fuzz, and it often has a musty odor, similar to a damp basement or attic. If your cannabis smells stale or pungent, it’s best to avoid consuming it.

Texture is also a clear indicator. Properly dried cannabis should break apart easily and feel dry to the touch. If buds are overly sticky or damp, this may indicate improper curing, which could lead to mold growth.

Check out our blog on how to store cannabis to ensure your products stay fresh and mold-free. 

Lab-tested cannabis products at The Travel Agency

At The Travel Agency, every item on our menu has been third-party tested, ensuring you can shop confidently since you know our products meet all of New York’s regulatory standards. Whether you’re looking for a new strain such as Super Lemon Haze or a standout product, our third-party tested cannabis from brands such as Beboe, PAX, and turn always satisfies regulators and aficionados alike.

Always shop at a licensed cannabis dispensary

Licensed dispensaries like The Travel Agency carry the very best of New York cannabis. Don’t just take our word for it; every product we carry comes with complete testing results that you can examine for yourself. Unlicensed shops aren’t held to the same standards — there’s no way to tell what’s in the products they’re selling. If you need some help navigating a product’s test results, just ask one of our budtenders, and they’ll be happy to help you.