In November 2020, Arizona passed Proposition 207, a bill authorizing the adult-use cannabis marketplace as a build-off to the esteemed medical marijuana program established 4 years prior. By 2021, adult-use sales commenced at already licensed Arizona medical cannabis dispensaries. 

With full cannabis legalization under Arizona’s belt, the state constructed an in-depth outline and overview of cannabis testing compliance required by these licensed companies, in order to ensure quality and safety to the consumer. 

Highgrade Labs offers full cannabis compliance testing services to farmers, manufacturers, and retailers in the legal Arizona cannabis industry. Learn everything about Arizona’s cannabis compliance testing in the following overview! 

 

Understanding Cannabis Compliance in Arizona

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) has created a set of rules to certify and regulate the process of third-party laboratories. This is in efforts to responsibly test medical cannabis and its products. This cannabis compliance regulation was designed to ensure accuracy, safety, and trust in the medical marijuana products being sold to patients within the state. 

Before cannabis products in Arizona hit the shelves of dispensaries and retailers, they are required to request a cannabis testing service from a third-party cannabis analytical lab. 

The series of tests conducted by cannabis testing labs help to asses the flower or cannabis product, identify cannabinoid compounds, and screen for any signs of harmful toxins or contaminants in the product. 

Arizona’s testing and potency standards for medical marijuana include testing cannabis products for the following: 

  • Microbial contamination (such as mycotoxins, mildew, mold) 
  • Heavy metals (such as cadmium, lead, mercury)
  • Pesticides, herbicides, & fungicides 
  • Residual solvents (such as butane, ethanol, acetone) 
  • Cannabinoid potency (such as THC or CBD content) 

 

These testing requirements are designed to regulate compliance and the safety of medical marijuana while ensuring trust and safety for all consumers. By testing cannabis through an analytical lab, you are accurately gaining information and insight about the product and what’s in it — all imperative knowledge for the cannabis consumer. 

As a result, a technical report is given to the cannabis growers, which includes a summary of details regarding the laboratory testing that was done. This lab report is called a certificate of analysis. 

 

About the Certificate of Analysis (COA)

The certificate of analysis, otherwise known as the COA, is a documented report constructed by cannabis testing labs that provides the test results and information on the cannabis examined. 

This report goes into detail on the information of the strain (including the cannabinoid and terpene content, batch and license number from the cannabis grower, and the pass or fail of any sign of mold, pesticides, residual solvents, or metal). 

By accurately assessing and reporting the exact components and compounds that make up the cannabis flower/product, retailers and consumers alike are able to easily access and identify important information. 

 

Highgrade Labs: Our Arizona Cannabis Testing Services 

Arizona’s legal cannabis industry is outlined by a series of compliance regulations — to establish transparency, safety, and trust between the grower and cannabis consumer. Cannabis and CBD testing is extremely crucial for this industry, as it continues to make waves across legal states in the country. 

At Highgrade Labs, we’re proud to offer our exceptional cannabis testing analytical services throughout the U.S. 

Whether you’re in Arizona, Oklahoma, Maryland or New Jersey (coming soon!) – you can trust our experienced lab team to accurately analyze your cannabis product in compliance with the state. 

Our cannabis testing labs in Arizona include the following: 

  • Potency
  • Pesticides
  • Heavy Metals
  • Residual Solvents
  • Microbiology
  • Mycotoxins
  • Water Activity
  • Homogeneity
  • Terpenes

 

Highgrade is on a mission to provide compliant and safe cannabis to the Arizona community! 

Interested in our cannabis testing services? Order a test in Arizona today! Contact us for inquiries and be sure to check out our Instagram for the latest in cannabis analytics and science!