Results are guaranteed within 2-5 business days when you use one of our convenient drop-off locations.  Faster guarateed service is available as needed.

If you have a sample to submit, you may do so through our network of Member Clubs.  Visit our Services page to see our list of Member Clubs and select the one nearest you to drop off your sample.  This is also where you will pick up your results.

THC, CBD, CBN, CBC, CBG and about 80 other chemicals are all in a class of compounds known as cannabinoids, found in abundance in the cannabis plant.  Cannabinoids are responsible for many of the effects of cannabis consumption and have important therapeutic benefits.

• Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol or (THC) is a psychoactive cannabinoid responsible for many of the effects experienced by the cannabis user. 
  • Mild to moderate pain relief, relaxation, insomnia and appetite stimulation.
  • THC has been demonstrated to have anti-depressant effects.
  • The majority of strains range from 12-21% THC with very potent and carefully prepared strains reaching even higher.  Average THC potency is about 16-17% in Northern CA.
  • Recent research that suggests patients with a pre-disposition to schizophrenia and anxiety disorders should avoid high-THC cannabis.
• Cannabidiol or (CBD) occurs in many strains, at low levels, <1%.  In rare cases, CBD can be the dominant cannabinoid, as high as 15% by weight.  Popular CBD-rich strains (>4% CBD) include Sour Tsunami, Harlequin and Cannatonic.
  • It can provide relief for chronic pain due to muscle spasticity, convulsions and inflammation.  Offering relief for patients with MS, Fibromyalgia and Epilepsy.
  • Some researchers feel it provides effective relief from anxiety-related disorders.
  • CBD has also been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth when injected into breast and brain tumors in combination with THC.
• Cannabinol or (CBN) is an oxidative degradation product of THC.  It may result from improper storage or curing and extensive processing, such as when making concentrates.  It is usually formed when THC is exposed to UV light and oxygen over time.
  • CBN has some psychoactive properties, about 10% of the strength of THC. 
  • CBN is thought by researchers to enhance the dizziness and disorientation users of cannabis may experience.
  • It may cause feelings of grogginess and has been shown to reduce heart rate.
• Cannabichromene or (CBC) is a rare, non-psychoactive cannabinoid, usually found at low levels (<1%) when present.
  • Research conducted has shown CBC has anti-depressant effects, 10x those of CBD.
  • CBC has also been shown to improve the pain-relieving effects of THC.
  • Studies have demonstrated that CBC has sedative effects, promoting relaxation.
• Cannabigerol or (CBG) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid.  It is commonly found in cannabis. CBG-acid is the precursor to both THC-acid and CBD-acid in the plant usually found at low levels (<1%) when present.
  • Researchers have demonstrated both pain relieving and inflammation reducing effects.
  • CBG reduces intraocular pressure, associated with glaucoma.
  • CBG has been shown to have antibiotic properties and to inhibit platelet aggregation, which slows the rate of blood clotting.

• Mild: Less than 10%
• Moderate: 10-17%
• Strong: 17%-25% 

• Hash: 25-70%
• Bubble Hash: 25-85%
• Kief: 20-65%
• Wax: 40-90%  

     The amount of THC and CBD in concentrates such as Hash and Kief can very greatly.

     The variation in the amount of active compound is the result of two main factors

1. Quality of the product being used
   • Initial concentration in parent material
   • Portion of the plant used, leaf versus flower clusters
2. Amount of processing, excessive processing can result in the oxidative degradation of THC to CBN

     The bottom line, the higher quality the strain, the amount of flower versus leaf, the extent to which plant material is excluded and how much you leave it exposed to the air control the quality of concentrates.

It’s all about sample preparation

     When it comes to medicinal cannabis testing, the quality of the test is completely dependent on the quality of the sampling from harvest to lab.

     It starts with the grower.  A sample that represents the product as a whole must be selected.  This means:

• Choosing multiple flower clusters for the lab sample
• Each grow area should be sampled
• If possible, flowers from all sections of the grow are preferred for the most accurate results
• Clean sample containers are to be used

     It continues at the collective and the lab.  Utensils are kept scrupulously clean between sample preparations to ensure no cross-contamination.

     Highly accurate analytical balances are used to weigh the samples to ensure a precision result

     Samples are extracted in containers certified for cleanliness using solvent certified for purity.

• Actual weight versus dry weight
  • The results from Pure Analytics are expressed in percent weight of the purchased product.
  • Some labs express their results in recent dry weight. 
  • Pure Analytics results are fair to the consumer; you want to know how much active ingredient is in each gram of what you buy, not each gram of 0% moisture product- that’s not what you’re buying!
  • In addition, if not performed by experienced chemists using the proper equipment, one can actually change the amount of cannabinoid present by handling or heating the medicine too much before testing.  You can check out more on our methods by clicking here.
    

     The mix of cannabinoid (THC vs. CBD) in a plant is the result of heredity.

     The total amount of cannabinoid (THC+CBD+CBN+CBC+CBG+etc) in a plant is the result of how well it is grown and stored.

     The genes that are responsible for the production of THC and CBD affect how one another are expressed in the final flowering plant.

     It appears that a single gene dictates whether a plant produces THC or CBD.

• A plant inherits a copy of this gene from both of its parents.
• If both genes are of the THC type, the plant produces almost entirely THC; if CBD type, almost all CBD, and if the plant inherits one of each, it will produce a mix of approximately ½ THC and ½ CBD.
• There is significant variation in the “strength” of these genes, so the ratio of THC to CBD production varies from plant to plant depending on the exact copy of the genes the plant has inherited.
• Each clone of the plant will, however, produce essentially the same ratio of THC to CBD as its “parent”.

     In hemp strains, the CBD form tends to predominate, so the primary cannabinoid in hemp is CBD. By contrast, drug strains of marijuana have been selected over centuries of breeding for the THC gene.