Heavy Metals

Cannabis Heavy Metals Testing

Definition

Heavy metals can be present in cannabis as a result of low-grade pesticides, fertilizers, contaminated water sources, and growing in areas of old industrial sites. Testing for heavy metals in cannabis can not only help identify dangerous product but also sources of contamination within a cultivation and manufacturing process.

Test Benefits

Mercury, Cadmium, Lead, and Arsenic are all toxic to human health at even small concentrations. Testing for heavy metals can help you determine if your product has come into contact with these potentially hazardous materials at any point in the growing or manufacturing process.

Cannabis is well known for its ability to remove these elements from soil, fertilizers, or other media and accumulate them in their stems, leaves, flowers, and roots. Once consumed or inhaled, these metals disrupt vital processes in the Central Nervous System, Pulmonary System, Reproductive System, and other systems throughout the body.

Testing is done with an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) that uses Radio frequency waves to superheat and break apart a sample into its elemental form. It’s then separated and measured by the Mass Spectrometer providing you with results that are both accurate and precise, allowing you to determine if your product is safe and compliant with state standards.

What We Test For

Regulation

Heavy Metals Testing

The laboratory shall analyze a sample of cannabis flower or cannabis product to determine whether heavy metals like cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury are present.
The laboratory shall report the result of the heavy metals test in micrograms per gram (µg/g) on the COA and indicate “pass” or “fail” on the COA.
A sample shall be deemed to have passed the heavy metals testing if the presence of heavy metals does not exceed the action levels defined by the state.