Modern Canna is an industry-leading cannabis testing lab headquartered in Florida that provides state-specific medical marijuana testing. Our goal is to ensure medical marijuana patients can receive high-quality, effective treatment by accurately testing cannabis products. In addition to medical marijuana analysis, Modern Canna also provides hemp testing services on an international scale.
Why is cannabis tested?
Cannabis is tested to determine how potent products are and also to confirm that no harmful contaminants are present above regulatory limits. Cannabis potency testing identifies and quantifies cannabinoids present in the sample, with particular focus on the prominent cannabinoid delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The testing of cannabis products is crucial to ensuring cannabis products' accuracy and integrity. Information provided on COAs and product labels must be accurate for consumers to make informed choices. Third-party testing plays a pivotal role in ensuring product safety as it effectively identifies and characterizes harmful contaminants.
What types of cannabis products are tested?
Cannabis products that can be tested include:
- Cannabis concentrates such as oils, waxes, shatter, budder, and hash
- Cannabis flower and plant matter
- Cannabis edibles such as chocolates, candies, cookies, and infused drinks
- Tinctures, topicals, capsules, transdermal patches, vape cartridges, and much more
What instrumentation is used for cannabis testing?
Cannabis testing utilizes specific instruments to ensure accurate and reproducible analysis. Among the commonly employed methodologies, high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) stands as the most prevalent and widely embraced technique for potency analysis. HPLC's intrinsic characteristic of operating without the introduction of heat ensures the measurement of cannabis compounds without thermally-induced alterations. Heat avoidance during potency analysis is particularly critical when examining acidic cannabinoids, which are present in marijuana products. Using the following instruments, Modern Canna identifies, classifies, and individualizes multiple cannabinoids, terpenes, and contaminants.
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for cannabis potency testing
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) for cannabis terpenes testing
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with headspace autosampler (GCMS-HS) for cannabis residual solvents testing
- Triple quadrupole liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS-QQQ) for cannabis pesticides testing
- Triple quadrupole liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS-QQQ) for cannabis mycotoxins testing
- Triple quadrupole gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GCMS-QQQ) for cannabis pesticides testing
- Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICPMS) for cannabis heavy metals testing
- Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for cannabis microbial testing
- Water activity meter for cannabis water activity testing
Types of Cannabis Testing
Cannabis Potency Testing
Modern Canna tests for over forty (40) cannabinoids. The two most commonly studied and tested cannabinoids are:
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
- Cannabidiol (CBD)
For more on Potency testing, also known as cannabinoid testing, see Cannabis Potency Testing.
Cannabis Terpenes Testing
Cannabis plants contain over 100 different types of terpenes. Terpenes are best known for their aromatic properties, but are also used for medicinal purposes. Modern Canna analyzes terpene content to determine the unique fingerprint of each cannabis strain. Three of the most common terpenes found in cannabis are:
- Limonene
- Myrcene
- Linalool
Learn more about Cannabis Terpene Testing and the importance of testing terpenes.
Cannabis filth and Foreign Matter - Contaminant Testing
A microscopic examination of samples is performed to determine the presence of contaminants such as:
- Rodent hair
- Mites
- Mold
- Fungi
- Mildew
- Insect parts
- Insect feces
See Cannabis Contaminants Testing for more information.
Cannabis Microbial Testing
The Modern Canna team examines cannabis for pathogenic organisms and mold. Aside from using qPCR, microbial examinations are performed via:
- Microbial plating
- High definition microscopes
Microbial contaminants include but are not limited to:
- Aspergillus
- E.coli
- Total coliform
- Fecal coliform
- Total yeast and mold
- Salmonella
- Listeria
See Cannabis Microbial Testing for more information.
Cannabis Mycotoxin Testing
Mycotoxins are substances produced by microbial matter that can cause serious infections and allergic reactions. Mycotoxins are toxins produced by certain mold species. There are several types of mycotoxins broken down into groups. Aflatoxins are the most commonly occurring mycotoxins group. Other major mycotoxins include:
- Citrinin
- Ergot
- Fusarium
- Ochratoxin
- Patulin
See Cannabis Mycotoxin Testing for more on mycotoxins and mycotoxin analysis.
Cannabis Residual Solvent Testing
Cannabis concentrates contain cannabinoids and terpenes derived from the plant using solvents. Modern Canna has been testing residual solvents for over twenty (20). The most commonly used solvents for extracting cannabinoids from cannabis are:
- Butane
- Propane
- Pentane
- Acetone
- Hexane
- Heptane
- Ethanol
- Isopropanol
For more on residual solvents, see Cannabis Residual Solvents Testing.
Cannabis Pesticide Testing
Modern Canna is certified to test over seventy (70) pesticide analytes. Cannabis cultivation often introduces harmful contaminants. The following are pesticide-related chemicals we test for:
- Pesticides
- Herbicides
- Fungicides
- Insecticides
- Growth regulators
For more on pesticides, see Cannabis Pesticide Testing.
Cannabis Heavy Metals Testing
Metal toxicity in medical cannabis is becoming a growing concern. This typically occurs when a plant is grown in soil or a growth medium that is already contaminated with heavy metals. Ingestion of heavy metals can be extremely toxic, although some metals are more dangerous than others. Modern Canna tests cannabis products for the following heavy metals:
- Arsenic
- Cadmium
- Lead
- Mercury
- Tin
- Nickel
See more on Cannabis Heavy Metals Testing from Modern Canna.
Cannabis Stability Testing
Cannabis undergoes stability testing to ensure its safety for consumption after exposure to various environmental conditions and packaging types. Stability testing determines the longevity and chemical integrity of cannabis products. These tests can be applied to cannabis edibles, extracts, capsules, or other forms of medication.
See Cannabis Stability Testing for more information.
Cannabis Water Activity Testing
Cannabis is subjected to a Water Activity testing to determine how much water in a product is “free” and available for microorganisms to inhabit. Testing water activity is essential because water activity levels can change while the product is stored or transported. To learn more on Cannabis Water Activity, see Cannabis Water Activity Testing.
Cannabis Nutrient Testing
Nutrient testing for cannabis provides accurate information about the growing medium, source water, inputs, and plant material of cannabis cultivation. Cannabis nutrient testing detects nutritional deficiencies before they become serious and irreversible to the cannabis plants' health. The EPA methodology certifies us to identify and quantify the following nutrients and more:
Macronutrients:
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Potassium
Micronutrients:
- Zinc
- Sodium
- Nickel
For additional information about Cannabis Nutrients, see Cannabis Nutrient Testing.
Cannabis Virus Testing
Cannabis virus testing is key to identifying viruses in the early stages. Viruses can severely impact cannabis plants, leading to reduced yields, stunted growth, and overall crop failure. Virus testing in cannabis verifies that the cannabis doesn't harbor harmful viruses that may cause adverse effects on consumers. Modern Canna tests cannabis products for the following viruses:
- Hop Latent Viroid
- Lettuce Chlorosis Virus
- Cannabis Cryptic Virus
- Tobacco Mosaic Virus
- Beet Curly Top Virus
For a detailed examination of Cannabis Virus Testing read more about our services.
Why Providers Choose Modern Canna for Cannabis and Hemp Testing
Several of the largest cannabis and hemp producers in the world entrust Modern Canna as their third-party lab testing provider. This is no coincidence, considering how much effort we put into keeping our labs operating at optimal levels. Producing accurate data in a timely manner is our main focus. However, what separates Modern Canna is the additional support services we provide, which help make the experience seamless and enjoyable for our customers. Contact us for testing services today!