How to Read Lab Reports - Holistic Flower

How to Read a CBD or Hemp Product Lab Report (COA Explained)

You’ve decided to try a CBD, hemp-derived THC, or Kratom product, and you see terms like “third-party lab tested” or “COA available.” That’s great! Reputable brands invest in testing to ensure quality and safety. But what does that lab report – typically called a Certificate of Analysis (COA) – actually tell you?

Understanding how to read a COA is crucial for any consumer. It empowers you to verify that you’re getting what you paid for, confirm the product is safe from contaminants, and ensure its cannabinoid levels (especially THC) are compliant. Don’t worry, it’s not as intimidating as it looks! Let’s break down the key sections.

What is a COA and Why Does it Matter?

A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is an official document from an accredited laboratory that confirms a product’s specifications and contents. For hemp and CBD products, it’s essential proof of:

Potency: Does it contain the amount of CBD, Delta-8, HHC, etc., advertised on the label?
Purity/Safety: Is it free from harmful levels of pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, mold, or bacteria?
Compliance: Does it meet legal requirements, particularly the limit for Delta-9 THC (usually below 0.3% for hemp products)?

Crucially, these tests should be performed by an independent, third-party laboratory – meaning a lab not affiliated with the product manufacturer or seller. This ensures unbiased results.

Where to Find the Lab Report (COA)

Reputable brands make their COAs easily accessible. Look for:

QR Codes: Scan a QR code on the product packaging with your smartphone.
Product Pages: Links directly on the website’s product page.
Dedicated Lab Report Section: A specific page on the vendor’s website listing reports.
Batch/Lot Number Lookup: An online tool where you enter the batch number found on your product.

If you can’t easily find a recent COA for a specific product batch, consider it a red flag.

Decoding the COA: Key Sections Explained

While formats vary slightly between labs, most comprehensive COAs include the following sections:

1. Header Information: Verifying Authenticity

This top section identifies the report and links it to the product.

Laboratory Name & Accreditation: Look for the lab’s name, logo, and ideally an accreditation number (e.g., ISO 17025 indicates high testing standards).
Client/Brand Name: Should match the brand you bought from (e.g., Holistic Flower).
Product Name/Description: Identifies the specific product tested (e.g., “CBD Oil 1000mg – Mint”).
Batch/Lot Number: CRITICAL! This number should match the batch number printed on your specific product’s packaging. This confirms the report applies to the item you hold.
Dates: Note the date the sample was received, tested, and the report was issued. Ensure the report is reasonably recent for the batch you have.

2. Cannabinoid Profile: Potency & Compliance

This is often the main focus for consumers. It details the concentration of various cannabinoids detected in the product.

List of Cannabinoids: You’ll see abbreviations like CBD, CBDA, Δ9-THC (Delta-9 THC), Δ8-THC (Delta-8 THC), THCA, CBG, CBN, HHC, etc.
Concentration/Amount: This shows how much of each cannabinoid is present. Common units include:
- mg/g or mg/mL: Milligrams of cannabinoid per gram (for solids like flower/gummies) or per milliliter (for liquids like tinctures).
- Percent (%): Weight percentage of the cannabinoid in the product.
- mg/package or mg/serving: Sometimes calculated for convenience.
Key Things to Check:
- Target Cannabinoid Potency: Does the reported amount match the label claim? For example, if you bought a 1000mg CBD tincture in a 30mL bottle, the report should show around 33.33 mg/mL of CBD (1000mg / 30mL). Note: Sometimes labs report CBD and CBDA separately; “Total CBD” often represents CBD + (CBDA * 0.877) to account for conversion potential.
- Delta-9 THC Level: For hemp products, this MUST be below the legal limit (typically <0.3%). Check both the percentage and mg/g value. Look for "ND" (Not Detected) or a value clearly below the threshold.
LOQ/LOD: You might see “Limit of Quantitation” or “Limit of Detection.” If a result is “

(Example: You might look for a line item showing Δ9-THC with a result like “ND” or “<0.1%")

3. Safety Screenings: Checking for Contaminants

Comprehensive COAs include tests to ensure the product is free from harmful contaminants. Look for a “Pass” status or results below the specified “Action Limit.”

Pesticides:

Tests for common agricultural pesticides used during hemp cultivation. Essential for ensuring residual chemicals aren’t in the final product.

Heavy Metals:

Hemp plants can absorb heavy metals (like lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium) from the soil. This test ensures levels are below safe limits.

Residual Solvents:

Checks for leftover solvents (like ethanol, butane, hexane) that may have been used during the CBD/THC extraction process.

Mycotoxins:

Tests for harmful toxins produced by certain molds (like aflatoxins) that could contaminate plant material.

Microbials (Microbiology):

Screens for harmful bacteria (like E. coli, Salmonella) and excessive levels of yeast and mold.

Note: Not every COA includes all these safety tests. Potency-only reports are common, but brands committed to comprehensive quality will typically test for safety contaminants as well, especially for inhalable or ingestible products.

Quick COA Checklist

✅ Does the Batch Number on the COA match your product?
✅ Is the Lab identified and reputable (ideally third-party, ISO accredited)?
✅ Does the Cannabinoid Potency (e.g., Total CBD, Total THC) match the product label?
✅ Is the Delta-9 THC level compliant (typically <0.3% or "ND")?
✅ Do the Safety Tests (Pesticides, Heavy Metals, Solvents, etc.) show “Pass” or “ND”?
✅ Is the Test Date reasonably recent for the product batch?

Red Flags to Watch Out For

COA is missing or hard to find.
Batch number doesn’t match or is missing.

Lab is not clearly identified, not third-party, or looks unprofessional.

Potency levels are significantly different (higher or lower) than the label claims.

Delta-9 THC level is above the legal limit for hemp.

Any safety tests show “Fail” or levels above the action limit.
The report is very old and likely doesn’t apply to current inventory.

Conclusion: Demand Transparency!

Reading a COA might seem technical at first, but understanding these key sections empowers you to be an informed consumer. It’s your right to know exactly what’s in the products you use. By checking lab reports, you can verify potency, ensure compliance, and protect yourself from potential contaminants.

At Holistic Flower, we believe in transparency. We ensure our products are rigorously tested and make COAs readily available, so you can feel confident in your choices. Explore our range of lab-tested CBD, hemp THC, and Kratom products today!

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only. Lab testing standards and requirements can vary. Always refer to the specific COA for the product batch you possess. This information is not intended as medical advice, nor has it been evaluated by the FDA. Consult with a healthcare professional regarding any health concerns or before using new supplements.