Cannabis Potency Testing: 5 Common Myths

Debunked

Cannabis potency testing isn’t simple. Here’s what you need to know:

Lab results can vary widely
Higher THC doesn’t always mean better
Potency tests aren’t perfect
THC levels differ across the plant
Testing covers more than THC and CBD

Key points:

Don’t assume all lab results are equal
Look beyond THC when choosing products
Consider full cannabinoid and terpene profiles

Myth	Reality
Labs give same results	Up to 19% variation between labs
Higher THC = better	THC % doesn’t determine overall effects
Tests always accurate	Lack of standards causes inaccuracies
Uniform plant potency	THC varies in different plant parts
Only THC/CBD tested	Labs can detect 100+ cannabinoids

Knowing these myths helps you make smarter choices in the cannabis market.

1. All Testing Labs Give the Same Results

Think all cannabis labs give identical results? Think again. Different labs can report vastly different potency for the same sample.

A California study with 10 labs showed THC potency ranging from 64% to 83% for the same cannabis oil. That’s a 19% difference!

Another study with five labs reported potency from 77% to 94% for the same distillate – a 17% gap.

Why the differences?

Different testing methods
Varied equipment calibration
No standard procedures
Sample prep techniques

Alexander Makowski from Sage Analytics says:

"Different labs may get different results based on their processes, which they consider intellectual property."

This inconsistency leads to "lab shopping" – cultivators seeking labs that report higher potency.

A Colorado study of 23 flower samples found:

Reported vs. Actual THC Levels	Number of Samples
Lower than reported	18
Below 15% of stated value	16
Below 30% of reported THC	13
Below half of reported THC	3

The industry needs standardized testing. For now, cannabis businesses should use multiple labs. Consumers should look beyond THC percentages when buying.

2. Higher THC Means Better Quality

Many think higher THC equals better quality and stronger effects. Not true.

A University of Colorado study found THC potency doesn’t match intoxication levels. They compared two groups:

Concentrate users (70%-90% THC)
Flower users (16%-24% THC)

Both groups showed similar impairment, despite the huge THC difference.

This challenges how the industry labels products:

Category	THC Percentage
Very High	>28%
High	21-28%
Medium	14-21%
Low	7-14%
Very Low	<7%

Cannabis quality depends on more than THC:

Terpenes: Over 200 types affect smell, taste, and effects
Other cannabinoids: CBD and others matter too
The Entourage Effect: How compounds work together

Eric Leslie from Cheeba Chews says:

"THC potency is not the solution. It’s not the only thing to look for based off of what experience you’re expecting."

The Emerald Cup rarely awards the highest THC flower, showing experts value more than just THC.

When choosing cannabis:

Check for balanced cannabinoids
Look at terpenes
Consider cultivation methods and overall quality

Most high-quality cannabis is 15-25% THC. Anything over 30% is likely unnecessary or inflated.

3. Potency Testing is Always Correct

Many think cannabis potency tests are always right. They’re not. Here’s why:

No Standard Methods

Labs use different techniques:

Testing Method	Description
Thin-layer chromatography (TLC)	Simple but less precise
Gas chromatography (GC)	Can degrade cannabinoids
Liquid chromatography (LC)	More accurate for cannabinoids

Different methods can give different results.

No Reference Materials

Without proper cannabis reference materials, we can’t measure accuracy. Brian C. Smith, PhD, explains:

"The lack of appropriate cannabis matrix reference materials means that accuracy measurements in these analyses cannot be computed."

Possible Manipulation

Some labs might inflate THC levels for business. In 2019, Oregon found its testing program "cannot ensure that test results are reliable and products are safe."

Keegan Skeate, an ex-employee at Praxis Laboratory, found his lab had faked THC tests on over 1,200 samples.

Real Differences

Studies show big gaps between reported and actual THC:

Colorado study: Actual THC was 23.1% lower than lowest label values
400,000 flower sample analysis: Some labs inflated THC by about 25%

What This Means

Be cautious about potency claims:

Use products tested by reputable labs
Look beyond THC when choosing
Be skeptical of very high THC percentages (over 30%)

4. Potency is the Same Throughout the Plant

Cannabis potency isn’t uniform across the plant. It varies a lot depending on the part.

Flower Power

Flowers (buds) have the most cannabinoids. They’re the main focus for testing, with the most trichomes – resin glands holding cannabinoids.

Different Leaves

Cannabis leaves vary in potency:

Leaf Type	THC Content	Notes
Sugar Leaves	2-5%	Can reach 8-15% THCa in some strains
Fan Leaves	0.5-1.0%	Much less potent

Sugar leaves, near the buds, are trichome-rich and used for hash or cannabutter. Fan leaves have trace cannabinoids.

Top to Bottom Differences

Even within the plant, potency varies. Lower flowers can have half the THC of top ones, likely due to light exposure.

Why It Matters

This variation affects testing and use. For cannabutter from sugar leaf trim, some assume 3.5% THC dry weight. So, 20g of trim could yield about 700mg THC – 70 doses at 10mg each.

"The exact mechanisms causing developmental changes in cannabinoid concentrations within the same plant remain unclear, but they are influenced by various environmental and developmental effects."

This shows why careful sampling and testing are crucial for accurate potency measurement.

5. Testing Only Looks at THC and CBD

Cannabis testing checks more than THC and CBD. Labs can find over 100 cannabinoids.

Key cannabinoids beyond THC and CBD:

Cannabinoid	Description
CBG	"Mother of cannabinoids", produced early
CBN	Forms as THC breaks down
CBC	Usually less than 1%
THCA	Converts to THC when heated
CBDA	Converts to CBD when heated

Labs also test terpenes, which affect smell and effects.

A full profile shows all compounds. Example:

18% THC
0.5% CBD
0.8% CBG
0.3% CBC
0.1% CBN

These profiles help medical patients needing specific cannabinoid ratios.

"The exact mechanisms causing developmental changes in cannabinoid concentrations within the same plant remain unclear, but they are influenced by various environmental and developmental effects."

This quote shows cannabis chemistry’s complexity. Testing many cannabinoids gives a fuller picture of the plant.

Conclusion

Understanding cannabis testing is crucial. Let’s recap the myths:

All labs give same results
Higher THC means better
Tests are always correct
Potency is uniform in plants
Only THC and CBD are tested

These myths can lead to poor choices and unsafe products. Here’s why testing matters:

Aspect	Importance
Safety	Checks for contaminants
Consistency	Ensures accurate labeling
Transparency	Informs consumers
Compliance	Meets regulations

The U.S. cannabis market was $13.2B in 2022, projected to hit $40B by 2030. This growth brings challenges:

Lab shopping for favorable results
Need for standardized methods

The industry is improving testing. Mass spectrometry is gaining popularity. Ben Southwell notes:

"Introducing mass spectrometry-based potency analysis will increase the rigor of the data provided by the laboratory and position the laboratory to be method-compliant as additional regulatory standards are established."

For consumers:

Check lab reputations
Know quality isn’t just THC
Look for comprehensive test results

As the market grows, expect:

Better testing tech
Stricter oversight
More focus on quality and safety