Cannabis Lab Testing Results: How Can NJ Customers Get Them?
Cannabis lab testing results offer consumers important information about what is in the products they are buying, helping consumers guarantee they are high quality and free of contaminants. For new and experienced cannabis consumers alike, lab test results offer the best insight into whether a cannabis product is right for them. But where exactly can you get these lab test results? If you are in New Jersey, you have multiple options available to you.
In this blog, you will learn:
Which test requirements apply to NJ cannabis companies
How to access cannabis testing results in NJ
What information is included in a cannabis test result
Are New Jersey cannabis companies required to publish test results?
Cannabis testing regulations in New Jersey require every batch and lot of cannabis flower and products to undergo a panel of testing by a third-party cannabis analysis laboratory. At minimum, every product must be tested for phytocannabinoid profiling, foreign materials, terpene profiling, microbials like mold and mildew, mycotoxins, heavy metals, pesticides, and residual solvents.
Currently, licensed cultivators and manufacturers are required to submit a Certificate of Analysis to the state. Dispensaries must also have this information on file and be able to provide it to customers upon request. The cannabinoid content of a given product is printed directly on the packaging label. Ideally there will be a QR code on the packaging that links to the CoA.
The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission announced their selection of Metrc to provide seed-to-sale tracking for the state’s licensed cannabis program. The system will assist in regulatory compliance and protect consumers against unsafe products by allowing for seamless data tracking for each plant and product. There is no date set regarding when the system will launch.
How to ask for cannabis lab test results
When customers are buying a cannabis product, they want to be sure they are choosing a high quality product that meets their needs. Here are a few easy ways your customers can access cannabis lab test results when purchasing these products in New Jersey:
Ask the dispensary associate: Ask dispensary personnel for a copy of the test results while browsing in the store. Generally, dispensaries will have the information readily available for your review and will be happy to provide them to customers.
Scan a QR code on the package: Some brands place QR codes on their packaging that allow customers to view test results on their phones. This is an extremely convenient way for companies to remain transparent with their customers and ensure that they have access to information surrounding testing. Not every cannabis product includes this helpful feature.
Contact the CRC: Since test results must be reported, they can be accessed by visiting the NJCRC’s website. If the CoA in question is not listed on the website, consumers can alert the CRC or file an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request, though customers should be able to obtain the test results directly from the dispensary without having to contact the state.
There are multiple ways for consumers to gain access to cannabis testing results, which is an important part of encouraging cannabis education for all. The other important piece is for consumers to be able to interpret these results.
What do cannabis lab test results tell customers?
Cannabis test results include information about the compounds found in cannabis, like cannabinoids and terpenes and any contaminants that were present during testing. You can expect to find the following on cannabis lab test results:
Basic information: All testing results will include basic product information such as product name, batch number, and the harvest/production date. This information can help verify that the test results indeed match the product.
Cannabinoid profile: Laboratory test results also include information on a product's cannabinoid content, including well known compounds like Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD), and typically lesser-known ones, such as Cannabigerol (CBG), Cannabinol (CBN), and Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV). These quantities are expressed by a percentage and/or milligram amount.
Terpene profile: Responsible for the smell and flavor of cannabis flower, terpene content is often included in laboratory test results. Similar to cannabinoids, terpene content is represented by a percentage and/or milligram amount.
Contaminants: Contaminant test results will also be included, displaying the amounts for any contaminants that were identified, along with a pass or fail indicator (although there should not be any products sold in a dispensary that have failed safety testing). Some contaminants are permitted under a threshold deemed not hazardous to human health, while others are banned completely. Products are safety tested for contaminants such as microbials, heavy metals, and residual solvents.
While the requirements on these sorts of testing differ from state to state, they are important for cultivators and manufacturers to ensure products are safe before ever hitting the dispensary shelves. The same is true in New Jersey, where the medical cannabis program is expanding and adult use cannabis is ramping up. Reliable cannabis analysis laboratories are a critical part in making sure the Garden State’s cannabis industry is one of quality products and consumer safety.
NJ cannabis testing with confidence
At True Labs for Cannabis, we know how important test results are to overall customer satisfaction. We go above and beyond what is required by the state to ensure that our clients have access to accurate and transparent information to make the best decisions possible for their health. Review our full services page to learn more about what testing services are available.