What Is a Cannabis COA?
A cannabis COA, or Certificate of Analysis, is a laboratory report that provides testing information about a cannabis product. A COA can help explain what was tested, which cannabinoids were detected, and whether the product was tested for certain contaminants or other regulated substances.
Learning how to read a cannabis COA can make product information easier to understand. This guide explains the main sections commonly found in cannabis laboratory reports and what the numbers and terms generally mean.
Important: Cannabis testing requirements differ by jurisdiction, product type, laboratory, and regulatory system. A COA should be interpreted together with the product label and applicable regulations.
What Does COA Stand For?
COA stands for Certificate of Analysis.
In the cannabis industry, a COA is generally a laboratory document reporting the results of tests performed on a particular cannabis product or batch.
The tests included in a COA can vary. Depending on the product and applicable requirements, a laboratory report may include cannabinoid results, terpene information, pesticide testing, heavy-metal testing, residual-solvent testing, microbial testing, or other analytical results.
Why Are Cannabis COAs Important?
A cannabis product label provides important information, but laboratory testing can provide additional information about the specific batch that was tested.
A COA can help provide information about:
- Cannabinoid concentrations
- Terpene concentrations where tested
- Certain pesticides
- Heavy metals
- Residual solvents where applicable
- Microbial contaminants where applicable
- Other testing categories required by the applicable regulations
The exact tests and reporting requirements vary by jurisdiction and product type.
How to Read a Cannabis COA
Cannabis COAs can look complicated at first because laboratories use technical terms, units, abbreviations, and analytical measurements.
A useful way to approach a COA is to examine it section by section.
1. Identify the Product and Batch
Start by confirming that the COA corresponds to the product you are researching.
Look for information such as:
- Product name
- Product type
- Batch or lot number
- Sample identification number
- Testing date
- Laboratory name
- Producer or manufacturer information where provided
The batch or lot information is particularly important because laboratory results apply to the sample that was tested.
2. Check the Laboratory Information
A COA should identify the laboratory that performed the testing.
Depending on the jurisdiction, laboratories may be required to meet specific licensing, accreditation, or regulatory requirements.
When evaluating a COA, consider whether the laboratory information is complete and whether the document provides enough information to identify the testing laboratory and the sample.
3. Understand Cannabinoid Results
Cannabinoid testing measures compounds such as THC and CBD and may also include other cannabinoids depending on the laboratory's testing panel.
Results can be reported using different units, including percentages or milligrams per gram.
The exact reporting format depends on the laboratory, product type, and applicable requirements.
THC
THC is one of the principal cannabinoids associated with the intoxicating effects of cannabis.
A COA may report different forms of THC or provide a calculated total THC value depending on the laboratory's methodology and reporting requirements.
CBD
CBD is another well-known cannabinoid found in cannabis.
A COA may report CBD along with other cannabinoids detected in the tested sample.
4. What Does Total THC Mean?
Cannabis laboratory reports can distinguish between different forms of cannabinoids and may provide calculated values such as total THC.
The calculation used can depend on the laboratory methodology and applicable regulatory requirements.
Because reporting conventions vary, the most reliable approach is to review the definitions and methodology provided on the specific COA rather than assuming that every laboratory uses identical calculations.
5. Check the Terpene Results
Some cannabis COAs include terpene testing.
Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in cannabis and many other plants. They can contribute to the aroma and flavor characteristics associated with different cannabis products.
A terpene section may list individual compounds and their concentrations.
Commonly reported cannabis terpenes can include compounds such as:
- Myrcene
- Limonene
- Pinene
- β-Caryophyllene
- Linalool
The specific compounds reported depend on the laboratory's testing panel.
Learn more in our Cannabis Terpenes Explained guide .
6. Check Pesticide Testing
Some cannabis products are tested for pesticides and other agricultural chemicals.
A pesticide section may list individual substances along with analytical results and reporting limits.
The specific substances tested and the limits applied depend on the jurisdiction and testing requirements.
Do not assume that a pesticide section is identical across every cannabis laboratory report.
7. Check Heavy-Metal Testing
Cannabis products may also be tested for certain heavy metals.
Depending on the applicable testing requirements, a laboratory panel may include substances such as:
- Lead
- Arsenic
- Cadmium
- Mercury
The specific analytes and reporting limits depend on the testing program and jurisdiction.
8. Check Residual Solvent Testing
Some cannabis products are manufactured using extraction processes involving solvents.
Laboratory testing can be used to determine whether specified residual solvents are present and whether their concentrations meet applicable requirements.
This section is particularly relevant to certain cannabis extracts and products made from extracted cannabis material.
9. Check Microbial Testing
Some cannabis testing programs include microbial or microbiological testing. Depending on the applicable requirements, testing may look for specific microorganisms or microbial contamination.
The exact organisms and acceptance criteria vary by jurisdiction and product type.
What Does "ND" Mean on a Cannabis COA?
COAs may use abbreviations such as ND.
ND commonly means Not Detected within the analytical method's reporting or detection parameters.
Not Detected does not necessarily mean that absolutely zero molecules of a substance exist. It generally means the substance was not detected at or above the relevant analytical reporting threshold.
What Does "LOQ" Mean on a Cannabis COA?
LOQ stands for Limit of Quantitation.
It refers to the lowest concentration that the analytical method can quantify with the specified level of reliability.
Laboratories may also report other analytical terms, so check the definitions provided on the individual COA.
What Does "LOD" Mean on a Cannabis COA?
LOD stands for Limit of Detection.
It generally refers to the lowest concentration at which a substance can be reliably detected by the analytical method.
LOD and LOQ are related but are not the same measurement.
How to Tell Whether a COA Matches a Product
One of the most important checks is confirming that the laboratory report actually corresponds to the product being evaluated.
Compare available information such as:
- Product name
- Brand or producer
- Batch number
- Lot number
- Sample ID
- Product type
- Testing date
If the available product information and COA identify different batches, products, or sample numbers, do not assume that the laboratory report applies to the product in question.
Can a COA Prove That a Cannabis Product Is Authentic?
A COA can provide useful laboratory information, but a COA by itself does not necessarily prove the complete authenticity of a product.
Authenticity can involve packaging, batch information, authorized distribution, laboratory documentation, manufacturer information, and other factors.
For more information, read: How to Tell if a Crude Boys Cart Is Authentic .
COA vs. Cannabis Product Label
A product label and a COA serve different purposes.
| Product Label | Certificate of Analysis |
|---|---|
| Provides consumer-facing product information | Provides laboratory testing information |
| May list cannabinoid content | Reports analytical test results |
| May list ingredients | May include contaminant testing |
| Identifies product information | Identifies tested sample information |
Both sources can be useful when evaluating a cannabis product.
How COAs Relate to Different Cannabis Products
Flower
A flower COA may include cannabinoid results, terpene testing, and applicable contaminant testing.
Vape Cartridges
Vape cartridge COAs may provide information about cannabinoids and, depending on the testing program, solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, or other testing categories.
Explore Cannabis Vape Cartridges
Edibles
Edible product testing can involve cannabinoid measurements and other testing requirements depending on the product and jurisdiction.
Pre-Rolls
Pre-roll testing may relate to the cannabis material used in the product and the testing requirements applicable to that product.
What to Look for in a Cannabis COA
A useful COA should provide enough information to identify the laboratory, sample, product, testing date, and relevant analytical results.
When reviewing a COA, check:
- Product identification — Does the report identify the product or sample?
- Batch information — Does the batch or lot correspond to the product?
- Laboratory information — Is the testing laboratory clearly identified?
- Testing date — When was the sample analyzed?
- Cannabinoid results — What cannabinoids were detected and at what reported concentrations?
- Terpene results — Are terpene results provided?
- Contaminant testing — Which contaminant categories were tested?
- Units and limits — Are the units and reporting limits explained?
Common Mistakes When Reading a Cannabis COA
Looking Only at THC
THC is important product information, but it is only one part of a laboratory report. Depending on the product, other cannabinoid, terpene, and contaminant information may also be relevant.
Assuming "ND" Means Absolute Zero
Not Detected generally means the substance was not detected at or above the relevant analytical threshold. It should not automatically be interpreted as absolute zero.
Ignoring the Batch Number
A COA applies to the tested sample. A report for a different batch should not automatically be treated as laboratory evidence for another batch.
Assuming Every COA Contains the Same Tests
Testing panels vary according to product type, laboratory, jurisdiction, and regulatory requirements.
Confusing Marketing Claims With Laboratory Results
Terms such as "premium," "top shelf," or other marketing descriptions are not substitutes for laboratory measurements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis COAs
What is a cannabis COA?
A cannabis COA is a Certificate of Analysis containing laboratory testing information about a cannabis product or sample.
What does COA stand for?
COA stands for Certificate of Analysis.
How do I read a cannabis COA?
Start by identifying the product and batch, then review the laboratory information, cannabinoid results, terpene results where available, and applicable contaminant testing. Also check the units, reporting limits, and testing date.
What does ND mean on a COA?
ND generally means Not Detected within the analytical method's applicable reporting or detection parameters.
What does LOQ mean on a COA?
LOQ means Limit of Quantitation. It describes the lowest concentration that a laboratory method can quantify under its specified analytical conditions.
Does a COA prove cannabis is safe?
A COA can provide important laboratory testing information, but it should be interpreted within the applicable regulatory framework. A laboratory report does not replace product labeling, regulatory oversight, or other quality controls.
Does every cannabis product have a COA?
Whether a COA is required or publicly available depends on the product and jurisdiction. Testing and documentation requirements vary.
Explore More Cannabis Education
- Cannabis Flower Guide
- Cannabis Vape Cartridge Guide
- Cannabis Edibles Guide
- Cannabis Pre-Roll Guide
- Top Shelf Cannabis Guide
- Cannabis Terpenes Explained
- THC vs. CBD
- Cannabis Education Hub
Cannabis laws and regulations vary by jurisdiction and may change over time. This article is provided for general educational purposes and is not medical or legal advice. Always follow the laws applicable to your location.