Cannabis Testing

Potency Testing

Turnaround time: 48 hours

Altitude Consulting uses liquid chromatography to test the potency of the most common cannabinoids in hemp. With the use of the latest HPLC-DAD technology and software we ensure the most accurate results.

Compounds Covered:

  • Cannabidiolic acid (CBD-A)
  • Cannabidiol (CBD)
  • Cannabidivarin (CBDV)
  • Cannabigerolic acid (CBG-A)
  • Cannabigerol (CBG)
  • Cannabinol (CBN)
  • Cannabichromene (CBC)
  • Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
  • Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabinol
  • Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THC-A)
  • (6aR,9S)-Δ10-THC
  • (6aR,9R)-Δ10-THC
  • (−)-trans-Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

Instrument Used:

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

An illustrated graphic of a high performance liquid chromatography machine (HPLC) used for cannabis potency testing and psychedelic potency testing.

Minimum sample sizes:

Biomass: 1g

All other samples: 0.5g

Potency Testing

Turnaround time: 48 hours

Altitude Consulting uses liquid chromatography to test the potency of the most common cannabinoids in hemp. With the use of the latest HPLC-DAD technology and software we ensure the most accurate results.

  • Cannabidiolic acid (CBD-A)
  • Cannabidiol (CBD)
  • Cannabidivarin (CBDV)
  • Cannabigerolic acid (CBG-A)
  • Cannabigerol (CBG)
  • Cannabinol (CBN)
  • Cannabichromene (CBC)
  • Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
  • Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabinol
  • Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THC-A)
  • (6aR,9S)-Δ10-THC
  • (6aR,9R)-Δ10-THC
  • (−)-trans-Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

An illustrated graphic of a high performance liquid chromatography machine (HPLC) used for cannabis potency testing

Minimum sample sizes:

Biomass: 1g

All other samples: 0.5g

Residual Solvents Testing

Turnaround time: 48 hours

Altitude Consulting uses GC-MS Headspace to test for 19 common solvents used for extraction and cleaning in the hemp industry. GC-MS technology gives us the ability to identify unknown hits.

Compounds Covered:

  • 2-methylbutane
  • Acetone
  • Acetonitrile
  • Benzene
  • Butane
  • Ethanol
  • Ethylbenzene
  • Isobutane
  • Isopropanol
  • M+P xylene
  • Methanol
  • N-Heptane
  • N-hexane
  • N-pentane
  • O-xylene
  • Propane
  • Tetrahydrofuran
  • Toluene

Instrument Used:

Gas Chromatography—Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Headspace

A vector illustration of a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Instrument that is used for testing cannabis residual solvents, cannabis terpenes, and cannabis heavy metals.

Residual Solvents Testing

Turnaround time: 48 hours

Altitude Consulting uses GC/MS Headspace to test for 19 common solvents used for extraction and cleaning in the hemp industry. GC/MS technology gives us the ability to identify unknown hits.

  • 2-methylbutane
  • Acetone
  • Acetonitrile
  • Benzene
  • Butane
  • Ethanol
  • Ethylbenzene
  • Isobutane
  • Isopropanol
  • M+P xylene
  • Methanol
  • N-Heptane
  • N-hexane
  • N-pentane
  • O-xylene
  • Propane
  • Tetrahydrofuran
  • Toluene

Gas Chromatography—Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Headspace

A vector illustration of a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Instrument that is used for testing cannabis residual solvents, cannabis terpenes, and cannabis heavy metals.

Terpenes Testing

Turnaround time: 48 hours

Terpenes are the oils in vegetation that emit odors and are well known in the cannabis industry for their contribution to the entourage effect. We analyze for over 40 of the most common terpenes found in cannabis.

Instrument Used:

Gas Chromatography—Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

A vector illustration of a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Instrument that is used for testing cannabis residual solvents, cannabis terpenes, and cannabis heavy metals.

Compounds Covered:

  • (-)-α-Bisabolol
  • (+)-Borneol
  • (-)-Borneol
  • Camphene
  • Camphor
  • (1S)-(-)-Camphor
  • (1S)-(+)-3-Carene
  • β-Caryophyllene
  • (-)-Caryophyllene Oxide
  • (-)-α-Cedrene
  • (+)-Cedrol
  • Eucalyptol (1,8-Cineole)
  • (+)-Fenchone
  • (1R)-Fenchone
  • (1R)-Endo-(+)-Fenchyl
  • Geraniol
  • Geranyl Acetate
  • (-)-Guaiol
  • α-Humulene
  • Isoborneol
  • (-)-Isopulegol
  • d-limonene
  • Linalool
  • β-Myrcene
  • Nerol
  • cis-Nerolidol
  • trans-Nerolidol
  • Ocimene Peak 1
  • Ocimene Peak 2
  • α-Pinene
  • β-Pinene
  • (+)-Pulegone
  • Sabinene
  • Sabinene Hydrate
  • α-Terpinene
  • γ-Terpinene
  • α-Terpineol
  • γ-Terpineol
  • Terpinolene
  • Valencene

Terpenes Testing

Turnaround time: 48 hours

Terpenes are the oils in vegetation that emit odors and are well known in the cannabis industry for their contribution to the entourage effect. We analyze for over 40 of the most common terpenes found in cannabis.

  • (-)-α-Bisabolol
  • (+)-Borneol
  • (-)-Borneol
  • Camphene
  • Camphor
  • (1S)-(-)-Camphor
  • (1S)-(+)-3-Carene
  • β-Caryophyllene
  • (-)-Caryophyllene Oxide
  • (-)-α-Cedrene
  • (+)-Cedrol
  • Eucalyptol (1,8-Cineole)
  • (+)-Fenchone
  • (1R)-Fenchone
  • (1R)-Endo-(+)-Fenchyl
  • Geraniol
  • Geranyl Acetate
  • (-)-Guaiol
  • α-Humulene
  • Isoborneol
  • (-)-Isopulegol
  • d-limonene
  • Linalool
  • β-Myrcene
  • Nerol
  • cis-Nerolidol
  • trans-Nerolidol
  • Ocimene Peak 1
  • Ocimene Peak 2
  • α-Pinene
  • β-Pinene
  • (+)-Pulegone
  • Sabinene
  • Sabinene Hydrate
  • α-Terpinene
  • γ-Terpinene
  • α-Terpineol
  • γ-Terpineol
  • Terpinolene
  • Valencene

Gas Chromatography—Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

A vector illustration of a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Instrument that is used for testing cannabis residual solvents, cannabis terpenes, and cannabis heavy metals.

Heavy Metals Testing

Turnaround time: 1-2 Weeks

Heavy metals tend to be toxic to humans at even very low concentrations. For this reason, many states require testing on final products to ensure their absence. We offer testing for the four state-mandated metals, lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg). 

Compounds Covered:

  • Arsenic (Ar)
  • Cadmium (Cd)
  • Lead (Pb)
  • Mercury (Hg)

Instrument Used:

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

A vector illustration of a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Instrument that is used for testing cannabis residual solvents, cannabis terpenes, and cannabis heavy metals.

Heavy Metals Testing

Turnaround time: 1-2 Weeks

Heavy metals tend to be toxic to humans at even very low concentrations. For this reason, many states require testing on final products to ensure their absence. We offer testing for the four state-mandated metals, lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg). 

  • Arsenic (Ar)
  • Cadmium (Cd)
  • Lead (Pb)
  • Mercury (Hg)

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

A vector illustration of a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Instrument that is used for testing cannabis residual solvents, cannabis terpenes, and cannabis heavy metals.

Pesticides Testing

Turnaround time: 1-2 Weeks

Pesticides are often used to help keep crops growing strong and rid them of pesky pests. Unfortunately, just as much as they help keep plants alive, they harm humans. States have placed strict regulations on allowed levels of pesticides in cannabis products. We’ve worked with AB Sciex to develop a method to detect over 50 different pesticides to ensure that your products are compliant.

Instrument Used:

Gas Chromatography—Mass Spectrometry Triple Quadrupole (GC-MS-MS)

A vector illustration of a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Instrument that is used for testing cannabis residual solvents, cannabis terpenes, and cannabis heavy metals.

Compounds Covered:

  • Abamectin
  • Acephate
  • Acequinocyl
  • Acetamiprid
  • Azoxystrobin
  • Bifenazate
  • Bifenthrin
  • Boscalid
  • Carbofuran
  • Chlorantraniliprole
  • Chlorpyrifos
  • Chlorfenapyr
  • Clofentezine
  • Cyfluthrin
  • Cypermethrin (technical)
  • Daminozide
  • Diazinon
  • Dichlorvos
  • Dimethoate
  • Ethoprophos
  • Etofenprox
  • Etoxazole
  • Fenoxycarb
  • Fenpyroximate
  • Fipronil
  • Flonicamid
  • Fludioxonil
  • Hexythiazox
  • Imazalil
  • Imidacloprid
  • Kresoxim-methyl
  • Malathion
  • Metalaxyl
  • Methiocarb
  • Methomyl
  • MGK 264
  • Myclobutanil
  • Naled
  • Oxamyl
  • Paclobutrazol
  • Parathion-methyl
  • Permethrin
  • Phosmet
  • Piperonyl butoxide
  • Prallethrin
  • Propiconazole
  • Propoxur
  • Pyrethrins
  • Pyridaben
  • Spinosad
  • Spiromesifen
  • Spirotetramat
  • Spiroxamine
  • Tebuconazole
  • Thiacloprid
  • Thiamethoxam
  • Trifloxystrobin

Minimum sample sizes:

Biomass: 2g

All other samples: 1g

Pesticides Testing

Turnaround time: 1-2 Weeks

Pesticides are often used to help keep crops growing strong and rid them of pesky pests. Unfortunately, just as much as they help keep plants alive, they harm humans. States have placed strict regulations on allowed levels of pesticides in cannabis products. We’ve worked with AB Sciex to develop a method to detect over 50 different pesticides to ensure that your products are compliant.

  • Abamectin
  • Acephate
  • Acequinocyl
  • Acetamiprid
  • Azoxystrobin
  • Bifenazate
  • Bifenthrin
  • Boscalid
  • Carbofuran
  • Chlorantraniliprole
  • Chlorpyrifos
  • Chlorfenapyr
  • Clofentezine
  • Cyfluthrin
  • Cypermethrin (technical)
  • Daminozide
  • Diazinon
  • Dichlorvos
  • Dimethoate
  • Ethoprophos
  • Etofenprox
  • Etoxazole
  • Fenoxycarb
  • Fenpyroximate
  • Fipronil
  • Flonicamid
  • Fludioxonil
  • Hexythiazox
  • Imazalil
  • Imidacloprid
  • Kresoxim-methyl
  • Malathion
  • Metalaxyl
  • Methiocarb
  • Methomyl
  • MGK 264
  • Myclobutanil
  • Naled
  • Oxamyl
  • Paclobutrazol
  • Parathion-methyl
  • Permethrin
  • Phosmet
  • Piperonyl butoxide
  • Prallethrin
  • Propiconazole
  • Propoxur
  • Pyrethrins
  • Pyridaben
  • Spinosad
  • Spiromesifen
  • Spirotetramat
  • Spiroxamine
  • Tebuconazole
  • Thiacloprid
  • Thiamethoxam
  • Trifloxystrobin

Gas Chromatography—Mass Spectrometry Triple Quadrupole (GC-MS-MS)

A vector illustration of a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Instrument that is used for testing cannabis residual solvents, cannabis terpenes, and cannabis heavy metals.

Minimum sample sizes:

Biomass: 2g

All other samples: 1g

Microbials Testing

Turnaround time: 1-2 Weeks

Microbials testing has become a staple of product testing in the cannabis industry. It is the cornerstone test of ensuring that final products are shelf stable. Additionally, verifying that there is no invisible contamination before processing helps to guarantee that it will not begin to flourish during processing.

Compounds Covered:

  • Salmonella
  • Total Coliform
  • Aspergillus
  • E. coli
  • Yeast
  • Mold

Instrument Used:

Thermal Cycler—Fluorometer used for Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR)

A vector graphic of a thermal cycler fluorometer used for running quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis used for psychedelic microbials testing and mushroom microbials testing

Microbials Testing

Turnaround time: 1-2 Weeks

Microbials testing has become a staple of product testing in the cannabis industry. It is the cornerstone test of ensuring that final products are shelf stable. Additionally, verifying that there is no invisible contamination before processing helps to guarantee that it will not begin to flourish during processing.

  • Salmonella
  • Total Coliform
  • Aspergillus
  • E. coli
  • Yeast
  • Mold

Thermal Cycler—Fluorometer used for Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR)

A vector graphic of a thermal cycler fluorometer used for running quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis used for cannabis microbials testing and mushroom microbials testing

Common questions

All testing has a small margin of error to account for different factors such as standards, instrumentation, human error, etc. The margin of error that we work within is ±3%.

We use a variety of instrumentation for cannabis testing, depending on the test. These include High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Headspace, GC-MS Triple Quadrupole, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MC), and Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR).

This is a loaded question, that nevertheless, is asked quite frequently. The effects of cannabis are not due to any one particular cannabinoid or compound, but instead an amalgamation of each individual compound’s concentration. An increase in a compound’s concentration typically leads to an increase in that compound’s effects, but even this doesn’t always hold true. This concept is known as the entourage effect, and we wrote a whole article on it if you want to learn more about it!

Testing, especially potency testing, brings baseline knowledge to any type of cannabis product. This is why it is a required by states to ensure that products are compliant. On the consumer side, potency testing offers transparency so consumers are aware of the effects that their products will have on them.

At this time, we do not test for HHC.

It can, but the results are a poor representation of the flower. Why? Cannabis tests are reported in mg/g (target compound/grams of flower). If the flower weighs more because it is wet, the results will be artificially lowered. For this reason, we ask that you dry and flower before sending it in for testing.

The minimum sample size to submit varies from test to test because we need different amounts based on what method we are running on what instrument. Minimum sample sizes are listed underneath each sample type on the testing cards above.