Cannabis Testing Glossary
Essential terms and definitions for understanding cannabis testing
Terpene
The aromatic compounds that give cannabis its distinctive smells and flavors – everything from citrus to pine to skunk.
Cannabinoid
Chemical compounds found in cannabis that interact with the endocannabinoid system.
COA (Certificate of Analysis)
Your product's official report card from the lab, showing all the test results in one document.
LOD (Limit of Detection)
The smallest amount of something that the lab equipment can reliably detect. Below this, it's basically invisible to our instruments.
Residual Solvent
Leftover extraction solvents that didn't fully evaporate from your concentrates. These need to be at safe levels.
ISO/IEC 17025
The international standard that proves a testing lab actually knows what it's doing and meets strict competence requirements.
Mycotoxin
Toxic compounds that certain molds produce. Even if you kill the mold, these toxins can stick around and cause harm.
HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography)
The workhorse technique for separating and measuring compounds in liquid samples. We use it all the time for potency testing.
GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry)
A powerful combo technique that separates compounds and then identifies them. Perfect for analyzing residual solvents and terpenes.
LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry)
An incredibly sensitive technique that combines separation with identification. Perfect for finding trace amounts of cannabinoids, pesticides, and mycotoxins.
ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry)
The gold standard for detecting heavy metals. This bad boy can find metals at incredibly tiny concentrations – we're talking parts per billion.
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
A molecular technique that finds specific microbial DNA in samples. Think of it as a highly targeted pathogen detector.
ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay)
A quick screening method using immunological reactions to detect pesticides and mycotoxins in cannabis.
qPCR (Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction)
Real-time PCR that doesn't just detect microbes – it tells you exactly how much contamination is present.
UPLC (Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography)
HPLC's faster, more powerful cousin. Better resolution, quicker results – perfect for detailed cannabinoid and pesticide analysis.
GC-FID (Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection)
A testing method that literally burns compounds and measures what comes off. We use it for detecting residual solvents and terpenes.
LC-UV (Liquid Chromatography with UV Detection)
A chromatography method that uses UV light to detect and measure cannabinoid concentrations in samples.
FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy)
A fast screening technique that identifies chemical groups and verifies what's in a sample without destroying it.
NIR (Near-Infrared Spectroscopy)
A quick, non-destructive way to screen cannabinoid levels and moisture without damaging your sample. It's like x-ray vision for cannabis.
XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence)
A non-destructive way to screen for heavy metal contamination using x-rays. Quick and doesn't damage your sample.
AA (Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy)
A lab technique we use to measure how much of specific heavy metals are lurking in cannabis samples.
SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy)
Super high-resolution imaging that lets us examine cannabis structure and spot foreign material contamination at microscopic levels.
TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis)
A technique that measures how much mass your sample loses as you heat it up. Great for finding moisture and volatile compounds.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
The main psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis – the one responsible for getting you high. It's heavily regulated pretty much everywhere.
CBD (Cannabidiol)
The famous non-psychoactive cannabinoid that won't get you high but is widely used for wellness and therapeutic purposes.
THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid)
The raw, acidic form of THC in fresh cannabis. Heat it up (smoke it, vape it, bake it), and it converts to regular THC.
CBDA (Cannabidiolic Acid)
The raw, acidic form of CBD found in fresh cannabis plants. Apply heat (decarboxylation), and it converts into regular CBD.
CBG (Cannabigerol)
Often called the "mother cannabinoid" because it's the starting point that the plant uses to create other cannabinoids like THC and CBD.
CBN (Cannabinol)
What you get when THC ages and breaks down over time. It's mildly psychoactive and often linked to sleepy, sedative effects.
CBC (Cannabichromene)
A non-psychoactive cannabinoid that shows up as the third most common cannabinoid in many strains, with promising therapeutic potential.
THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin)
A cannabinoid cousin of THC that can be psychoactive at high doses. Interesting tidbit: it might actually suppress appetite instead of causing munchies.
Delta-8 THC
A naturally occurring cannabinoid that'll get you high, but differently than Delta-9 THC. Chemically they're cousins with distinct effects.
Delta-10 THC
A minor cannabinoid that's chemically similar to Delta-9 THC but with milder psychoactive effects. It's getting popular in hemp products.
Cannabigerol (CBG)
The mother of all cannabinoids – it's the parent molecule that transforms into THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids as the plant grows.
Cannabichromene (CBC)
A non-intoxicating cannabinoid that may team up with other compounds to create stronger effects through the entourage effect.
Myrcene
The most common terpene in many cannabis strains, giving off earthy, musky notes. It's often associated with that classic "couch-lock" sedative effect.
Limonene
That fresh citrus smell in some cannabis strains? That's limonene. It might help elevate mood and relieve stress too.
Pinene
That fresh pine forest smell? That's pinene. It might help with alertness and memory – nature's way of keeping you sharp.
Caryophyllene
A spicy, peppery terpene that's unique because it actually binds to cannabinoid receptors. Known for anti-inflammatory benefits.
Linalool
The floral, lavender-scented terpene known for its calming vibes and potential anti-anxiety effects.
Humulene
An earthy, woody terpene that shows up in hops and cannabis. Interestingly, it might actually suppress appetite rather than increase it.
Ocimene
A sweet, herbaceous terpene that might pack antifungal and antiviral benefits. Smells like sweet herbs and flowers.
Terpinolene
A complex terpene with piney, floral, and herbal notes. Usually found in smaller amounts but adds interesting character.
Bisabolol
A gentle, floral terpene you'll find in chamomile. It's known for anti-inflammatory effects and helping skin heal.
Nerolidol
A woody, floral terpene with calming properties that might help you catch some Z's. Found in some therapeutic applications too.
Heavy Metals
Nasty toxic metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury that can sneak into cannabis from contaminated soil, water, or equipment.
Pesticides
Chemicals used to kill pests during growing. They need to be below regulatory limits in your final products for safety.
Aflatoxin
Seriously nasty toxins produced by certain Aspergillus molds. These are heavily regulated because they're extremely harmful.
Ochratoxin
A nasty toxin produced by certain molds, especially when cannabis isn't stored properly. This is why good storage matters.
E. coli (Escherichia coli)
A bacteria we test for to make sure cannabis products aren't contaminated with fecal matter. Yeah, it's as gross as it sounds.
Salmonella
A dangerous pathogenic bacteria that absolutely cannot be in cannabis products. Zero tolerance for this one.
Aspergillus
A type of mold that can produce harmful mycotoxins. We test for it to make sure your products are safe.
Mold
Fungal growth that can ruin cannabis quality and produce dangerous mycotoxins. This is why proper storage and handling matter.
Yeast
Single-celled fungi that we monitor in cannabis as indicators of contamination and improper storage conditions.
Microbial Contamination
When bacteria, mold, or other tiny organisms show up where they shouldn't. Above certain levels, they can make people sick.
Pathogen
Any disease-causing microorganism that we test for to make sure cannabis products won't make people sick.
Arsenic
A toxic heavy metal that cannabis plants can suck up from contaminated soil or water. Definitely not something you want in your products.
Lead
A seriously toxic heavy metal that can contaminate cannabis through dirty soil, contaminated water, or contact with certain equipment.
Cadmium
Another toxic heavy metal that plants can absorb from soil. We test for this to keep consumers safe.
Mercury
An extremely toxic heavy metal that we test for to make absolutely sure cannabis products are safe to consume.
LOQ (Limit of Quantification)
The smallest amount we can not just detect, but actually measure accurately. There's a difference between seeing something and measuring it precisely.
Accuracy
How close your test result is to the actual true value – basically, how correct the measurement is.
Precision
How consistent your test results are when you measure the same thing multiple times. High precision means reliable, repeatable results.
Recovery
The percentage of whatever you're testing for that actually gets extracted and measured. You want this number to be high.
Matrix
Everything in your sample except the thing you're actually testing for. The matrix can mess with test results if you're not careful.
Analyte
The specific thing you're looking for and measuring in a lab test – could be a cannabinoid, pesticide, heavy metal, or anything else.
Standard Curve
A calibration graph showing how instrument response relates to known concentrations. It's how we figure out unknown amounts.
Calibration
The process of teaching lab equipment to accurately measure what you're testing by using known reference standards.
Blank
A test sample that should have zero of whatever you're measuring. It helps labs establish baseline readings and catch contamination.
Control
A reference sample with known values that labs use to double-check that their testing procedures are working right.
Spike
When labs intentionally add a known amount of something to a sample to test if their extraction and measurement processes are working right.
Dilution
Making a sample less concentrated by adding solvent – usually done when there's too much of something for the instrument to measure accurately.
GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)
The quality control rulebook that ensures products are made consistently and safely every single time.
SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)
Step-by-step written instructions for how to do routine lab tasks the same way every time. Consistency is key.
QC (Quality Control)
The day-to-day checks and procedures that ensure test results are accurate and reliable every single time.
QA (Quality Assurance)
All the systematic stuff labs do to make sure quality standards are met – validation, audits, the whole nine yards.
Batch
A specific amount of product made at the same time under the same conditions. Each batch gets its own ID for tracking and quality control.
Lot
A specific batch of product made in one production run. Each lot gets tracked separately for quality control and regulatory purposes.
Sample
A representative piece of your batch or lot that gets tested to determine if the whole batch meets specifications.
Homogeneity
How evenly everything is mixed throughout your product. Good homogeneity means consistent potency from start to finish.
Stability
How well your product maintains its quality over time under specific storage conditions. Think shelf life.
Traceability
The ability to track your product through every stage from seed to sale. Regulators love this, and it protects everyone.
Extract
A concentrated form of cannabinoids and terpenes pulled from the cannabis plant using various extraction methods.
Concentrate
Cannabis products that pack a serious punch – they're made by extracting and purifying cannabinoids to create high-potency forms.
Distillate
Super refined cannabis concentrate made through distillation, typically hitting 85-95% cannabinoid content. It's about as pure as it gets.
Isolate
Pure cannabinoid crystals – usually CBD or THC – at 99%+ purity with everything else stripped away. It's as refined as cannabis gets.
Full Spectrum
Cannabis extract that includes everything the plant naturally produces – all cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds working together.
Broad Spectrum
Cannabis extract with multiple cannabinoids and terpenes, but with all the THC removed. Think of it as full spectrum minus the THC.
Edible
Cannabis-infused foods or drinks that need testing to verify accurate dosing and make sure they're free from contaminants.
Topical
Cannabis-infused products you apply to skin or hair. These still need testing for potency and safety even though you're not eating or smoking them.
Compliance
Following all the rules, regulations, and standards that govern cannabis testing and product requirements in your state.
Accreditation
Basically, a third-party seal of approval that says a lab knows what it's doing and meets strict technical standards like ISO/IEC 17025.
Validation
The process of proving that a test method actually does what it's supposed to do and gives accurate results.
Verification
Confirming through evidence that testing procedures meet all the specified requirements. It's like a quality checkpoint.
Chain of Custody
The paper trail that tracks who handled your sample, when, and where from the moment it's collected until it's disposed of.
Proficiency Testing
When multiple labs test the same samples to see if they all get similar results. It's basically a skills check for testing facilities.
Method Development
The process of creating and fine-tuning new testing procedures for specific needs. It's part science, part art.
SOP Review
Regular check-ups on lab procedures to make sure they're still current, effective, and reflect best practices.
Audit Trail
A detailed record that tracks everything that happened with a sample or test, so you can trace back and verify the entire process.
Deviation
When something doesn't go according to the approved plan or specs. It needs to be documented and investigated to figure out what happened.