frequently asked questions

Do You Offer Compliance Testing?

We are fully licensed and offer compliant testing for all cannabis products. We service Northern California from Arcata to Salinas. Additionally we offer R&D testing for all cannabis products and our experienced team would be happy to discuss individual testing needs with you.

How Can I Get Samples To You?

We can accept samples via drop off at the lab Monday through Friday from 9:30am-5:30pm. If dropping off in the lab please contact us in order to make sure all necessary information is in hand at time of drop off.

Additionally, for any licensed cannabis businesses we offer pick ups along our courier routes. Please reach out to us to coordinate and schedule a pick up along one of our daily routes.

Can I Place The THC and CBD Content On My Cannabis Product Label After I Receive The Testing Results?

Cannabinoid content may be included on the label at the manufacturing premises or it may be added to the label at the distribution premises after testing and issuance of the Certificate of Analysis.
If labeled on the manufactured premises prior to testing, the labeled cannabinoid content must match the testing results within the testing variance established by the Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC). If labeled on the distribution premises after testing, the cannabis product must be labeled with the cannabinoid content specified on the Certificate of Analysis.

Nothing in the CDPH regulations prohibits a compliant product that is labeled within the THC limits and that passes testing within the variance established by the BCC from proceeding to market.
What Are The Packaging And Labeling Requirements For Pre-Rolls?
Pre-rolls that only contain flower must follow labeling standards in sections 40404 and 40409 of the CDPH regulations for cannabis. Pre-rolls that contain both flower and concentrates (“infused pre-rolls”) must meet all labeling standards for manufactured products, outlined in sections 40405 and 40408-10 of the CDPH regulations for cannabis.

What Are The Packaging and Labeling Requirements For Cannabis and Cannabis Products?

Cannabis and cannabis product packaging must be tamper evident, resealable if the product has multiple uses, and child resistant. It cannot imitate packaging used for products typically marketed to children. In addition, packaging for edibles must be opaque.
During 2019, child resistant packaging requirements may be fulfilled using either individual product packaging or through exit packaging at retail. Beginning January 1, 2020, all cannabis and cannabis product packaging must be child resistant.
Labeling may not be attractive to children, make health claims or use the word “organic” in violation of federal and state laws. The labeling requirements fall into two categories: primary panel requirements and informational panel requirements. The primary panel is the portion of the label that is most likely to be displayed to the consumer at retail. The informational panel is any part of the label that is not the primary panel.

What Happens To Cannabis Goods Held By A Distributor if the Cultivators License Expires?

Licensed distributors are required to obtain cannabis goods from other licensed businesses. After properly obtaining cannabis goods from another licensee, licensed distributors are not required to verify the original licensees license before selling the cannabis goods.

Can A Lab Sample Cartridges or Pre-Rolls That Are Not Packaged?

The sampling of cannabis products must be in their final form before a licensed testing laboratory can obtain a representative sample for regulatory compliance testing. (See section 5705(b) of the Bureau’s regulations. See also Business and Professions Code Section 26100)

For the purposes of a cannabis product or pre-roll batch, a “packaged unit” would be considered the final form of the product as it would be sold to the consumer. Licensed manufacturers are required to ensure a product is labeled and packaged in its final from for retail sale before releasing such cannabis products to a licensed distributor.

Additionally, licensed distributors are not permitted to fill, package, and/or label manufactured cannabis goods (with the labeling exception of cannabinoid and terpenoid content).

What are THC, CBD, CBN, CBC and CBD?

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 THCCannabinol 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.

How Accurate Are the Results?

It’s all about sample preparation When it comes to 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 sample.
• Some labs express their results in recent dry weight.
• Pure Analytics results are fair to the consumer because 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 contacting us.

What Is Industrial Hemp and How Does It Differ From Cannabis?

The Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) specifically governs the regulation of commercial cannabis activity in California.

Business and Professions Code section 26001 (f) defines "cannabis" as the following:"Cannabis" means all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa Linnaeus, Cannabis indica, or Cannabis ruderalis, whether growing or not the seeds thereof the resin, whether crude or purified, extracted from any part of the plant and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds, or resin. "Cannabis" also means the separated resin, whether crude or purified, obtained from cannabis. "Cannabis" does not include the mature stalks of the plant, fiber produced from the stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of the plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom), fiber, oil, or cake, or the sterilized seed of the plant which is incapable of germination. For the purpose of this division, "cannabis" does not mean "industrial hemp" as defined by Section 11018.5 of the Health and Safety Code.If the product in question meets the definition of "cannabis," you will need a state cannabis license.

"Industrial hemp" is specifically excluded from the definition of "cannabis". Health and Safety Code section 11018.5 provides the following in regard to industrial hemp:(a) "Industrial hemp" means a fiber or oilseed crop, or both, that is limited to types of the plant Cannabis sativa L. having no more than three-tenths of 1 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) contained in the dried flowering tops, whether growing or not the seeds of the plant the resin extracted from any part of the plant and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds or resin produced therefrom.(b) Industrial hemp shall not be subject to the provisions of this division or of Division 10 (commencing with Section 26000) of the Business and Professions Code, but instead shall be regulated by the Department of Food and Agriculture in accordance with the provisions of Division 24 (commencing with Section 81000) of the Food and Agricultural Code, inclusive.MAUCRSA explicitly excludes industrial hemp from the definition of cannabis. Retailers licensed by the Bureau are licensed to sell cannabis goods and may not sell industrial hemp products on the same licensed premises where cannabis goods are sold. In addition to cannabis goods, a licensed retailer may sell only cannabis accessories and licensee's branded merchandise. Licensed retailers may provide customers with promotional materials.

For additional information regarding the cultivation of industrial hemp, you may want to contact the California Industrial Hemp Program within the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Contact information is listed below:

Website: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/industrialhemp/index.html

Email: industrialhemp@cdfa.ca.gov

Phone: 916-654-0435