Skip to main content

How to Read a CBD Lab Report (COA): A Beginner’s Guide

 

Certificate of Analysis (COA)

How to Read a CBD Lab Report (COA): A Beginner’s Guide

Understanding third-party testing for safe and effective CBD products

When shopping for CBD, one of the most important things you can do is check the Certificate of Analysis (COA) — a lab report from an independent testing facility.

COAs help ensure the product contains what it claims and is free from harmful contaminants.

What Is a COA?

A COA is a detailed document that shows the results of laboratory testing performed on a cannabis or hemp product.

It typically includes:

How to Read the Cannabinoid Profile

Look for the percentages or milligrams of:

Understanding Terpene Profiles

Some COAs include a terpene breakdown, listing compounds like myrcene, limonene, and pinene. This helps you know the aroma and potential effects.

Checking for Contaminants

Safety is crucial. Verify the product is free from:

A passing COA means the product is tested and safe for consumption.

Batch Numbers and Dates

COAs are specific to batches. Always check that the COA matches the product’s batch or lot number and that testing is recent.

Where to Find COAs

Reputable brands post COAs on their websites or provide them upon request. If you can’t find one, consider it a red flag.

Knowledge is power — reading COAs puts you in control of your CBD experience.

© Tennessee Cannabiz

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

People's Choice

While Europe Forgot — Cannabis in Asia, the Middle East & Africa

Cannabis through the ages: a timeless plant woven into the spiritual, medicinal, and cultural fabric of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.   While Europe Forgot — Cannabis in Asia, the Middle East & Africa Part 2 of the Cannabis Knowledge Restoration Project Ancient China Ancient India The Middle East Africa Archaeological Evidence The Pattern While Europe was forgetting its own cannabis knowledge — losing it to industrialization, colonialism, and eventually prohibition — other cultures were preserving theirs. Not just preserving it. Evolving it. Refining it. Passing it down through unbroken lineages of healers, physicians, and spiritual practitioners. In Post 1 , we established that cannabis was foundational to European medicine for 2,000 years — until it was deliberately erased in the 20th century. But that erasure was primarily a Western phenomenon. In China, cannabis has been documented for over 5,000 years. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The European Foundation — Cannabis in Western Medicine & Alchemy

  Rediscovering 2,000 years of cannabis’ vital role in Western medicine — from ancient texts to Victorian royal approval. The European Foundation — Cannabis in Western Medicine & Alchemy Part 1 of the Cannabis Knowledge Restoration Project If you think cannabis is some foreign drug that showed up in the 1960s counterculture, you've been lied to. If you believe it's "alternative medicine" that real doctors would never touch, you've been lied to. If you assume your European ancestors would have been horrified by cannabis use, you've been lied to. The truth? Cannabis was foundational to Western medicine for over 2,000 years. It appears in the texts that trained every European physician from ancient Rome through the Victorian era . It was prescribed by royal doctors, documented by medieval nuns, studied by Renaissance alchemists, and listed in official pharmacopeias well into the 20th century. Prohibition didn't remove something dangerous ...
Post a Comment
Read more

CBD Explained: What It Is, What It Does, and What It Doesn’t

  CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant CBD Explained: What It Is, What It Does, and What It Doesn’t Separating facts from hype in the world’s most misunderstood cannabinoid CBD seems to be everywhere — oils , gummies, lotions, coffee, pet treats — yet many people are still unsure what it actually does. Let’s clear it up. What Is CBD? CBD , short for cannabidiol , is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC , CBD is not intoxicating and does not produce a “high.” CBD can be extracted from both marijuana and hemp . Most commercially available CBD products are derived from hemp , which is legally defined as cannabis containing less than 0.3% delta-9-THC . How CBD Works in the Body CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) , a regulatory network invol...
Post a Comment
Read more

Tennessee HB 1376 Explained: New Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Laws, THCa Ban, and What Changes in 2026

  Tennessee HB 1376 ushers in a new regulatory era for hemp-derived cannabinoids , banning THCa products and placing intoxicating hemp under alcohol-style oversight in 2026. Jump Index Introduction to HB 1376 Background and Legislative History Key Provisions Definitions Regulatory Changes & Allowed Activities Prohibitions Licensing Requirements Taxes Penalties & Enforcement Impacts on Stakeholders Pros and Cons Conclusion Introduction to HB 1376 Tennessee House Bill 1376 (HB 1376), also known as Senate Bill 1413 , is a comprehensive piece of legislation enacted during the 114th General Assembly to overhaul the regulation of hemp-derived cannabinoid products (HDCPs) in the state. Signed into law by Governor Bill Lee on May 21, 2025, the bill addresses growing concerns over the unregulated sale of intoxicating hemp products, particularly those containing delta-8 THC , delta...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where Tennessee Stands on Cannabis in 2026: A Complete Guide to New Hemp Laws and Regulations

  Where Tennessee Stands on Cannabis in 2026: A Complete Guide to New Hemp Laws and Regulations Hemp in Tennessee enters a new regulatory era in 2026, as oversight shifts and legal boundaries tighten. On This Page The Big Picture: What Changed in 2026 Legacy License Grace Period New Regulations Starting July 1, 2026 THCa Ban Explained What Products Remain Legal The Federal Complication Law Enforcement Impact Industry Winners & Losers Advice for Tennessee Consumers Advice for Hemp Businesses Key Takeaways January 8, 2026 — As Tennessee enters 2026, the landscape for cannabis and hemp products has undergone its most significant transformation in years. New laws, regulatory shifts, and an ongoing transition period have created both confusion and opportunity. Here's everything Tennesseans need to know about where the state stands today. The Big Picture: What Changed on January 1, 2026 On Ja...
Post a Comment
Read more