Why CBD Testing is Not as Simple as it Seems
Even though CBD products are seemingly everywhere, that does not mean these products are made to any set standard that ensures customers what they contain, or even that they are generally safe to consume. Verifying the potency and safety of these products is not an easy task, but it is an important one for brands to build rapport with customers. Multiple roadblocks stemming from differences in source, state regulations, and a lack of federal guidelines can make CBD testing much harder than it seems.
In this blog, you will learn:
The ins and outs of considerations for CBD testing
Why CBD and THC potency testing are both important
The different testing methods for both hemp and marijuana-derived CBD products
Why CBD testing can be more complicated than it seems
CBD products like tinctures and infused products can be made with Cannabidiol derived from either high-THC cannabis (marijuana) or low-THC industrial hemp plants. Both of these plants are part of the same species; however, from a legal perspective, they are worlds apart. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), hemp-derived products cannot contain more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by dry weight. Any product that contains THC levels higher than 0.3% is considered “marijuana,” a federally illegal, Schedule I controlled substance.
This disparity between products has given rise to many complications in regards to testing, including:
A lack of federal standards. With the descheduling of hemp, derived CBD products moved from a controlled substance to a consumer good. However, regulatory authorities have yet to set out standards for manufacturing, marketing, and testing industrial hemp-derived CBD products. Therefore, the growing CBD industry does not have a singular set of CBD testing standards to draw from.
Threshold for THC potency. Federal authorities only require testing for THC levels to ensure that total THC content of industrial hemp stays underneath the 0.3% threshold. That does not indicate quality or consumer safety, only if any traces of THC may be found. potency testing of hemp-derived products is required by federal law to ensure that THC levels do not reach higher than the 0.3% THC limit. Potency testing will also offer insight to consumers on how products may affect them, and ensure regulations are followed regarding the use of THC and/or CBD as dietary supplements and ingredients in human food and animal.
Differing standards between states. CBD extracted from marijuana is subject to the testing cannabis program rules and regulations set forth by the state in which it was extracted and will be sold. Testing protocol is different in each state, as are the types of tests that need to be conducted.
While industrial hemp-derived CBD is legal for sale and consumption in most forms in almost every state (as of summer 2021, Idaho and Iowa were the only two holdouts), CBD derived from marijuana is not. This means that while many states have legalized its use, the federal government still considers marijuana-derived products illegal in almost every form.
For more information on the importance of potency testing and what requirements there are in New Jersey, check out our blog: Why Is Hemp Testing So Important?
Other tests that should be run on all CBD products
While hemp is covered under the U.S. Department of Agriculture and requires potency testing, cannabis-derived CBD is covered under state laws, which hold many of their own requirements for testing.
Below is a rundown of important tests that should be run on all CBD products. Keep in mind, this is not an exhaustive list and there are many other testing measurements included in True Labs for Cannabis (TLC) services packages.
Cannabinoid profiling: Phytocannabinoids and terpenes are the primary compounds found in cannabis that provide the effects experienced by consumers. Because there are more than 100 cannabinoids that have been identified in cannabis thus far, it is important that profiling be done to inform customers and consumers about the potency and concentration of active cannabinoids in CBD products. Typically, testing labs use techniques like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to separate and identify cannabinoid compounds with precision and accuracy. This process provides information regarding active ingredients and their potencies to ensure compliance with the 0.3% THC limit for hemp-derived CBD products. Without profiling, manufacturers would be unable to create accurate labeling, leaving consumers unable to assess how products may affect them.
Heavy metals: Cannabis is a bioaccumulating plant. Meaning, it is happy to absorb and store heavy metals from all soil, fertilizers, water, planting containers, and even the metallic equipment used during processing. In fact, industrial hemp is at times used for the remediation of toxic lands. However, because heavy metals can cause toxicity, states like New Jersey require testing measures to identify and quantify heavy metal toxicity and ensure that consumers are not exposed to unsafe levels of such. The most commonly tested heavy metals include lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium.
Residual solvents: Residual solvents are substances left behind after the cannabis extraction process. Because many of the residual solvents during CBD extraction are hazardous when inhaled or ingested, such as butane or ethanol, it is imperative that products are tested before being sold. TLC uses methods utilizing gas chromatography with mass spectrometry to measure solvents and ensure that products are compliant with regulations and free of any hazardous impurities left behind during the extraction process.
Pesticides: Commonly used in farming and agriculture, pesticides are substances meant to control insects and other organisms that may be harmful to plants. Because cannabis plants are highly effective at absorbing and retaining chemicals, many states, including New Jersey have banned the use of pesticides in order to prevent potentially harmful inhalation or ingestion. While NJ does not have the same regulations for hemp, TLC knows it is imperative to test all CBD products for pesticides to give consumers assurance that the product is safe for use.
Mycotoxins: Because cannabis plants are cultivated in warm and humid environments, they are especially susceptible to naturally occurring toxins produced during fungal growth. Known as mycotoxins, these toxins are a very dangerous source of contamination that can affect all cannabis products, including CBD. As per the recommendation from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and the New Jersey Department of Health, TLC uses liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC/MS) to perform mycotoxin testing.
Keeping CBD safe
As CBD continues to gain popularity amongst the medicinal community, the need for testing is growing each and every day. At True Labs for Cannabis, our New Jersey-based analytical laboratory not only works with cannabis companies all around the state, but also accepts test samples from industrial hemp grown in the Garden State, parts of New York, and Pennsylvania, as well as hemp-derived product samples from across the United States.
Overall, our team brings decades of combined hands-on experience in operations, lab testing facilities, and hemp industry activism. Visit our services page to learn more about our testing packages, and how we can help you.