<p>Related: <a title="How Is Marijuana Used For Epilepsy?" href="https://weedzly.com/library/cannabis-for-glaucoma">How Is Marijuana Used For Epilepsy?</a></p>
<h2 id="0">Why Do Legal Growers Have To Test Cannabis?</h2>
<p>Cannabis is a unique product with a long history of medicinal use. Without quality standards, cannabis could be mislabeled or contaminated with other compounds, causing more harm than good.</p>
<p>As cannabis products become more widely available, regulators hold them to the same standards as other medicinal products. Testing levels of THC and CBD (<a href="https://weedzly.com/library/cbd-and-thc-whats-the-difference">difference between THC and CBD</a>) allow for precise identification of the current potency and quality of the strain. For each cannabis product, there should also be a label that tells consumers milligram/mg per dose and how many doses are in the package.</p>
<p><img title="https://res.cloudinary.com/timj111/image/upload/v1673918305/articles/bbnudcy7ou0mhqw0gvdu.jpg" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/timj111/image/upload/v1673918305/articles/bbnudcy7ou0mhqw0gvdu.jpg" alt="Testing weed" width="590" height="329" /></p>
<h3 id="1"><strong>Why Cannabis Needs to Be Lab Tested</strong></h3>
<p>When buying cannabis, even the most seasoned cannabis users don't always know what strain they're getting. According to a study conducted by Steep Hill, a cannabis testing lab, only 17% of samples tested were labelled correctly. On average, it was discovered that 10% to 40% of the samples contained high levels of impurities and toxins. The bottom line is that consumers don't always know what's being added to their cannabis.</p>
<p>Pesticide residues in <a href="https://weedzly.com/products">products</a> can contaminate our bodies with heavy metals. Nonetheless, with the legalization of marijuana, consumers are finally learning how to shop for cannabis products responsibly. The process has evolved from finding a collective and purchasing at a dispensary to having a filtered database of all cannabis products in a searchable database.</p>
<h3 id="2"><strong>All About Weed Potency</strong></h3>
<p>Weed potency is measured by cannabinoid content, specifically THC and CBD, which occurr naturally in the cannabis plant. These chemical compounds make up what is known as terpenes. Terpenes are organic aromatic compounds with a chemical structure similar to other oils. Terpenes smell and taste like pine, lemongrass, peppermint, cinnamon, and more!</p>
<p>One of the main reasons cannabis is subject to an extensive lab testing process is because its environment heavily influences it. When growing cannabis in a different area of the world, the same grower can contain different amounts of cannabinoids and terpenes. This means that your experience with a <a title="specific strain" href="https://weedzly.com/library/best-strains-for-first-time-smokers">specific strain</a> might be very different from someone else's, even if they used the same product.</p>
<p>Without the perfect balance of cannabinoids and terpenes, cannabis is just buds. When you look for a new strain, it can be challenging to know precisely what you're getting if a test does not guarantee it. And unlike beer or wine, tests for cannabis are not standardized &ndash; they vary from brand to brand. This means there are no assurances that consumers can count on for consistent quality, accurate dosing, and health benefits.</p>
<p><img title="https://res.cloudinary.com/timj111/image/upload/v1673918331/articles/vqwjvab6kxqdb8pkfxmt.jpg" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/timj111/image/upload/v1673918331/articles/vqwjvab6kxqdb8pkfxmt.jpg" alt="Science weed test" width="529" height="230" /></p>
<h3 id="3">Pesticides, Mold and Other Contaminants</h3>
<p>Since cannabis is a sponge like substance, it absorbs everything around it during cultivation. These things include the nutrients in the soil, pesticides that may have found their way into the greenhouse from neighboring farms, and of course, where they are grown. It is necessary to test for the presence of these items as well as many others.</p>
<p>Third-party lab testing ensures that the cannabis flower is free of pesticides, mold, and other contaminants. It's a costly process, but pot consumers need to know the quality of what they're smoking.</p>
<h3 id="4">Medical vs. Recreational marijuana tests</h3>
<p>At most facilities, medicinal and recreational marijuana are tested in the same lab. However, each type of marijuana requires different lab testing procedures.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Marijuana testing is important due to the fact it is being used in medical treatments also. It is widely <a href="https://weedzly.com/library/medicinal-marijuana-used-for-epilepsy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">used in the treatment of epilepsy</a> which is a brain disorder.</p>
<p>All marijuana is tested for the presence of molds, mildews, fungus, pesticides, plant growth regulators (PGRs), solvents/extractives, patient safety and potency.</p>