What Does Cannabinoid Testing Tell You?
Phytocannabinoids are primarily responsible for most of the effects and theraputic benefits reported by cannabis consumers. From the well-known delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) to less renowned Cannabichromene (CBC) or Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabis contains dozens of phytocannabinoids, each of which offers its own contributions to the overall effects a consumer might experience when consuming cannabis.
The process of identifying which phytocannabinoids are present in a sample is called phytocannabinoid profiling, and it is an essential part of the cannabis testing process.
In this blog, you will learn:
What is phytocannabinoid profiling?
Why cannabinoid profiling is important
How cannabinoid profiling is performed
What is phytocannabinoid profiling in cannabis testing?
Phytocannabinoid profiling is the process by which a cannabis testing laboratory identifies the cannabinoids present in a cultivar or manufactured cannabis product and measures the concentrations of each. This measurement is typically expressed in milligrams per gram or an overall percentage.
Phytocannabinoid profiling is performed by testing labs to provide cultivators, manufacturers, state regulators, and consumers insight into the chemical makeup of specific cannabis products.
3 reasons why cannabinoid profiling is important
Cannabinoid profiling is useful to many stakeholders, from cultivators to regulators to consumers. This is because a comprehensive cannabinoid profile yields valuable insights about a particular cannabis product, whether that’s harvested flower or a manufactured product like extracts or edibles.
Regulatory compliance
Cannabinoid profiling is a requirement in most states with medicinal and adult-use cannabis programs. New Jersey’s cannabis regulations require licensed cultivators and processors to test for the cannabinoid content and potency. The results are then published in a certificate of analysis (COA), a document prepared by the testing laboratory with complete results. These results are publicly available, and consumers should have access to any requested CoA through their chosen dispensary or the State of NJ.
2. Consumption experience and therapeutic effects
Cannabinoid profiling allows for a better understanding of the anticipated consumption experience and potential medicinal benefits a particular cannabis product or cultivar may offer. This helps pharmacists to better recommend products and amounts accurately to their patients, or for consumers in adult-use markets to make more informed choices.
Cannabinoid profiling is also important to researchers who want to better understand the effects of cannabis. This information is especially useful when examining potential phytocannabinoid interactions with the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS), the series of cannabinoid receptors and endogenous chemicals produced by the body. Different combinations of cannabinoids elicit varying effects, a phenomenon called the entourage effect, which is still being studied closely. Having a complete, accurate breakdown of present phytocannabinoids can help researchers better understand how the entourage effect works.
3. Consumer trust
More intimate knowledge of a cannabis product's contents also builds consumer trust and supports their educated decision making. Without a cannabinoid profile, it would be much more difficult for consumers to properly assess a specific product's effects or for cultivators and manufacturers to establish repeatable processes for desired results.
Medical patients and recreational consumers deserve to know what is in their products. There is an increased risk of undesired outcomes or adverse effects if they don’t have all the facts about what’s in the cannabis product they are buying. The more knowledge and transparency provided, the better the relationship between the cultivator or manufacturer and the consumer.
How cannabinoid profiling tests are performed
When it comes to phytocannabinoid profiling, the method of choice for testing labs is high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). True Labs for Cannabis opts to use HPLC to perform cannabinoid profiling.
Known as the predominant method of phytocannabinoid testing, HPLC involves the use of a solvent to solubilize the cannabinoids in a sample. The solution is then passed through a chromatographic column packed with a solid matrix, which is used to separate the various compounds from one another.
Once isolated, the compounds are exposed to wavelengths of light, often in the UV portion of the spectrum to visualize how they interact with that light. As they are exposed, they will tend to absorb light at specific wavelengths. Each compound in the mixture will have a specific “retention time” on the column and will show up as it elutes off the column, as visualized by the absorbance of that UV light.
Phytocannabinoid testing at True Labs for Cannabis
At True Labs for Cannabis, our analytical laboratory works with medical facilities in New Jersey -- as well as the soon to come adult use cannabis industry in the Garden State -- to test for a wide range of phytocannabinoids and measure their concentrations. With our team of experts behind you, you can be confident in the accuracy of your test results and share the information far and wide.
Visit our cannabis testing services page for more information on cannabinoid profiling and other testing methods, as well as how True Labs for Cannabis can assist your business in reaching new levels of success through transparency, compliance, and safety.