Cannabis Lab Testing Explained: What Gets Tested and Why It Matters

By the JKF Team | Last updated May 1, 2026

Every product sold at a licensed New York dispensary has been through laboratory testing. This is not optional. It is a legal requirement enforced by the Office of Cannabis Management. But what exactly does lab testing involve? What are they looking for? And why should you, as a consumer, care about a certificate of analysis?

This guide breaks down the entire lab testing process, from what gets tested and why, to how you can read and verify test results yourself.

Why Lab Testing Exists

Cannabis lab testing serves two primary purposes: consumer safety and product accuracy.

Consumer safety means ensuring that the cannabis you consume is free of harmful contaminants. Cannabis plants can absorb heavy metals from soil, accumulate pesticide residues, and harbor mold, bacteria, or other microbial pathogens. Without testing, there is no way to know whether a product is clean.

Product accuracy means ensuring that the THC, CBD, and other cannabinoid levels printed on the label are actually what is in the product. If a package says 10 milligrams of THC per gummy, lab testing verifies that claim. This is critical for safe dosing, especially for people using cannabis for the first time or managing therapeutic use.

Before legalization and regulation, consumers had no way to verify either of these things. You bought what someone sold you, and you hoped for the best. Lab testing changed that. It is one of the most important reasons to buy from licensed dispensaries rather than unlicensed sources.

What Gets Tested

New York requires comprehensive testing across multiple categories. Here is what laboratories analyze for every batch of cannabis product that reaches dispensary shelves.

Potency (Cannabinoid Profile)

This is the test most consumers are familiar with. It measures the levels of cannabinoids in a product, including delta-9-THC, THCa, CBD, CBDa, CBN, CBG, and sometimes minor cannabinoids. Potency testing tells you how strong a product is and allows you to dose accurately. For flower, potency is expressed as a percentage of total weight. For edibles and tinctures, it is expressed in milligrams per serving and per package.

Terpene Profile

Terpenes are aromatic compounds that give cannabis its flavor and smell, and they may also influence effects. Lab testing identifies which terpenes are present and in what concentrations. Common terpenes include myrcene, limonene, pinene, linalool, and beta-caryophyllene. Terpene data helps consumers choose products based on desired effects and flavor preferences. Learn more in our terpenes guide.

Pesticides

Cannabis grown with pesticides can retain residues on the final product. Laboratories test for a long list of banned and regulated pesticides, including insecticides, fungicides, and growth regulators. Even trace amounts of certain pesticides can pose health risks when inhaled or ingested, which is why this testing is non-negotiable.

Heavy Metals

Cannabis is a bioaccumulator, meaning it absorbs metals from soil and water. Labs test for lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. These heavy metals are toxic to humans even in small amounts, and chronic exposure through contaminated cannabis could lead to serious long-term health problems.

Microbials

Microbial testing screens for harmful bacteria and pathogens including E. coli, Salmonella, and Aspergillus (a mold that can cause lung infections). Cannabis that has been improperly stored, dried, or processed can develop microbial contamination that is invisible to the naked eye but dangerous to inhale or consume.

Mycotoxins

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain molds. Even if visible mold is removed, mycotoxins can persist in the product. Labs test for aflatoxins and ochratoxins, which are known carcinogens. This is particularly important for products made from lower-quality cannabis that may have been exposed to moisture during cultivation or storage.

Residual Solvents

This applies primarily to concentrates and extracts. Many extraction methods use solvents like butane, propane, ethanol, or CO2 to strip cannabinoids and terpenes from plant material. Residual solvent testing ensures that the final product does not contain harmful levels of these chemicals. Improperly purged concentrates can contain solvents that are dangerous to inhale.

Moisture Content and Water Activity

Excessive moisture in cannabis flower promotes mold growth and bacterial contamination. Labs measure moisture content and water activity to ensure that flower products are dried and cured properly. Products with moisture levels above the acceptable threshold fail testing and cannot be sold.

How to Read a Certificate of Analysis (COA)

A Certificate of Analysis is the official lab report for a cannabis product. Every licensed product has one, and you can usually request it at the dispensary or find it via a QR code on the packaging.

Here is what you will see on a typical COA:

• Lab name and accreditation. The name of the laboratory that performed the testing, along with their license or accreditation number. In New York, labs must be licensed by the OCM.
• Sample information. The product name, brand, batch number, date collected, and date tested.
• Cannabinoid results. A table showing THC, CBD, and other cannabinoid levels, usually in both percentage and milligram format.
• Terpene results. A breakdown of individual terpenes detected and their concentrations.
• Contaminant results. Separate tables for pesticides, heavy metals, microbials, mycotoxins, and residual solvents. Each analyte is listed with the amount detected, the allowable limit, and a pass/fail designation.
• Overall pass/fail status. A summary indicating whether the product passed all required tests.

When reviewing a COA, the most important thing is the overall pass/fail status. If a product passed, it meets all state-mandated safety thresholds. If you want to dig deeper, look at the cannabinoid profile to verify potency claims and check the terpene data to understand the product's flavor and effect profile. For more on interpreting labels, see our guide to reading cannabis labels.

What Fails Testing

Products fail lab testing more often than you might think. Common reasons include:

• Pesticide contamination. Products grown with banned pesticides or with residue levels above the legal limit.
• Mold and microbial contamination. Flower that was improperly dried, cured, or stored.
• Heavy metal contamination. Products grown in contaminated soil or with contaminated water sources.
• Potency mislabeling. Actual THC or CBD content that differs significantly from what is claimed.
• Residual solvents. Concentrates that were not properly purged of extraction chemicals.
• Excessive moisture. Flower with water activity levels that promote mold growth.

When a batch fails testing, it cannot be sold to consumers. It must be destroyed or, in some cases, remediated (re-processed to remove contaminants) and re-tested. This system exists to protect you.

Why This Matters to You

You might think lab testing is a behind-the-scenes regulatory thing that does not affect your daily life. But it directly impacts your health and experience.

• Health protection. Inhaling mold spores, heavy metals, or pesticides can cause respiratory problems, allergic reactions, and long-term health damage. Lab testing prevents this.
• Accurate dosing. If a label says 10mg of THC, lab testing ensures that is what you are getting. This is especially critical for edibles, where the difference between 10mg and 50mg can mean a very different experience.
• Product quality. Testing incentivizes growers and producers to maintain high standards. Products that fail testing cost the producer money, which motivates them to grow cleaner, higher-quality cannabis.
• Peace of mind. Knowing that every product you buy has passed independent laboratory analysis means you can focus on enjoying cannabis rather than worrying about what is in it.

Licensed vs Unlicensed: The Testing Gap

The single biggest difference between products from licensed dispensaries and products from unlicensed sources is lab testing. Unlicensed products are not tested. Period.

When you buy from an unlicensed shop or a street dealer, you have no idea what is in the product. Studies of unlicensed vape cartridges have found vitamin E acetate (which caused the EVALI lung injury outbreak), synthetic cannabinoids, heavy metals, and pesticides at dangerous levels. Unlicensed edibles are frequently mislabeled, sometimes containing double or triple the THC advertised, or containing no THC at all.

Buying from a licensed dispensary means every product has passed comprehensive lab testing. That is not a marketing claim. It is a legal requirement.

How to Request a COA at JKF

At Jungle Kingdom Flower, we believe in transparency. You can request a Certificate of Analysis for any product we sell. Here is how:

• In-store: Ask any budtender. They can pull up lab results for any product on our shelves.
• Scan the QR code: Many products include a QR code on the packaging that links directly to the COA.
• Contact us: Email or call and reference the product name and batch number. We will send you the COA.

We encourage every customer, especially first-time buyers, to look at the lab data for their products. It is your right as a consumer, and it is part of what makes legal cannabis different from everything that came before it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What contaminants are tested for in cannabis?

Licensed cannabis products in New York are tested for pesticides, heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury), microbials (E. coli, Salmonella, Aspergillus), mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxins), residual solvents, and moisture content. Each category has specific thresholds that products must pass to be sold legally.

Can I see the lab results for a specific product?

Yes. You can ask any budtender at a licensed dispensary to show you the Certificate of Analysis for a product. Many products also include a QR code on the packaging that links directly to lab results. At Jungle Kingdom Flower, we are happy to share COAs for any product we carry.

Who performs the lab testing?

Testing is performed by independent, third-party laboratories that are licensed by the New York Office of Cannabis Management. These labs are separate from growers, producers, and dispensaries to ensure objectivity and prevent conflicts of interest.

How often are cannabis products tested?

Every batch of cannabis product must be tested before it can be sold to consumers. A "batch" is a specific production run, so different batches of the same product may have slightly different cannabinoid levels and terpene profiles. Testing is done per batch, not per product line.

What happens if a batch fails lab testing?

Failed batches cannot be sold to consumers. Depending on the type and level of contamination, the batch may be destroyed or sent for remediation (reprocessing to remove contaminants). If remediated, it must pass a re-test before it can be sold. This system protects consumers from contaminated products.

Are all dispensary products lab-tested?

All products at licensed dispensaries in New York are required by law to be lab-tested. This is a condition of the dispensary's OCM license. Unlicensed dispensaries and illegal sellers do not test their products, which is one of the key reasons to always buy from a licensed source.

What is the difference between tested and untested cannabis?

Tested cannabis has been independently verified for potency accuracy and screened for contaminants including pesticides, heavy metals, mold, and residual solvents. Untested cannabis has none of these guarantees. The product could be mislabeled, contaminated, or unsafe. Studies of unlicensed cannabis products have found dangerous contaminants that would never pass state-mandated testing.