Why is a Certificate of Analysis so important?

As the interest in CBD’s benefits grows, the market is becoming saturated with an array of CBD products and manufacturers. Given the differing regulations nationwide, it can be challenging to ascertain the quality of CBD products. The most reliable method is to meticulously examine the product label and the Certificate of Analysis (COA).

WHAT IS A COA?

A Certificate of Analysis (COA) offers a detailed summary of the contents and quantities within a product. It provides a comprehensive breakdown of the plant’s naturally occurring compounds, as well as any undesirable substances that may be present.

All reputable CBD brands should provide a COA for each of their products. Exercise caution with manufacturers who do not provide a COA upfront or fail to produce one upon request. It is advisable not to purchase any CBD products lacking an accessible COA.

A COA contains a lot of highly specific information, but ultimately answers two simple questions:

  1. What’s in the product? A COA details the levels of all cannabinoids and other compounds occurring in the product. This includes any incidence of harmful or unwanted compounds, such as heavy metals or pesticides.
  2. Is the product legally compliant? Together with the quantity of each compound in the product, the COA will show the compound’s legal limit, making for a simple side-by-side comparison. It even lists the lab’s method for determining those quantities, if you’re really curious.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR ON YOUR COA

CBD Content: It’s essential for your CBD product to clearly state the amount of CBD it contains. This is especially important when dealing with full- or broad-spectrum CBD products, as their CBD potency may vary more from batch to batch compared to CBD isolate products.

THC Content: The THC content in your product should not surpass the federally legal limit of 0.3%. Our products utilize CBD isolate, which contains 0% THC.

Microbes and Mycotoxins: This part of the analysis indicates the presence, or ideally the absence, of natural contaminants such as bacteria, mold, and yeast.

Appearance: The Certificate of Analysis (COA) provides a general idea of the product’s appearance, which can be used as a reference to ensure the product looks as expected.

Other Compounds: During the growing, harvesting, or refinement processes, various compounds may become associated with the CBD. Even the highest-quality CBD products may contain trace amounts of these compounds.

  • Heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, or lead
  • Solvents that might have been used to extract the CBD from the hemp
  • Pesticides used during farming 
  • Microbes and mycotoxins such as bacteria, mold, and yeast

Look to the column that indicates the quantity of these compounds that’s safe for your body, and see how your product stacks up. We don’t recommend purchasing or consuming products that exceed the safe levels of any of the above components.

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

Every product we offer is traceable from the hemp seed to the consumer’s possession. We meticulously oversee our processes from seed to sale, prioritizing your safety. Our hemp undergoes rigorous testing and is cultivated and harvested within the USA. Our products are produced following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), meet stringent pharmacological criteria, and undergo constant safety and quality assessments. We package our products to ensure consumers receive all necessary information and dispatch them securely to retail locations or directly to the consumer.