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Apr 13, 2021 | Blogs, Environmental / Industrial | 0 comments
Read time: 4 minutes
Introduction to cannabis: analysis
Cannabis is a broad umbrella of classification that includes both hemp and marijuana. Check out a recent blog that lays out the definitions. This blog will focus on the common criteria we look at when conducting cannabis testing, including potency, pesticides and mycotoxins.
Potency: how do you test for it?
Based on individual state regulatory requirements in the US, the potency of commercial cannabis products must be reported. The percentage of THC is printed on cannabis product labels after being certified by a licensed cannabis testing facility. The methodology for obtaining cannabis potency values can vary based on the analytical technique and instrumentation used, which gives testing facilities options for customizing or streamlining their workflows. While marijuana potency testing can vary, hemp analysis has to be accurate, or the crop is considered cannabis and subject to federal confiscation and fines. The US, however, lacks standardized methods to assess products for potency and safety. That’s a big problem for the labs that are tasked with doing the testing. There have been many challenges in the uniformity of potency results across testing sites. Some manufacturers will go to the lab that gives them the highest potency results. Pesticides, mycotoxins and terpenes, oh my!
As states in the US struggle to set standards for testing, both consumers and retailers are becoming increasingly discerning. Because of the variability and diversity of the matrix composition of samples—which can include cannabinoids, terpenes, sugars, fatty acids and more—analyzing cannabis and hemp for pesticides can be daunting. This is especially true for high-throughput cannabis and hemp residue testing. If you want to learn more about this topic, check out our tips and tricks for pesticide residue analysis in cannabis. Stay tuned for more blogs and information on the analysis of cannabis and hemp.
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At SCIEX, innovation doesn’t stop at instruments; it extends to how you interact with your LC-MS/MS or CE systems every day. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the SCIEX Now spring 2026 improvements: a set of meaningful enhancements shaped directly by your feedback.
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That is why we are excited to introduce a smarter and faster way to troubleshoot.
Ultra‑low reporting limits, expanding target lists, and the constant risk of background contamination mean that even small missteps before injection can compromise data integrity. PFAS can be introduced at nearly every stage of prep, from sampling containers and PPE to SPE cartridges, filters, solvents, and lab consumables, making contamination control as critical as analyte recovery.
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