Laboratory Testing Guidelines U. S. Domestic Hemp Production Program The testing methodology must consider the potential conversion of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) in hemp into delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and the test result must reflect the total available THC derived from the sum of the THC and THCA content
BLUE PAPER A Hemp Growers Guide to Compliance Testing for THC and CBD . . . must test hemp crops Hemp is comparatively free of ∆9-THC at the accepted concentration of 0 3% or less whereas marijuana is generally around 3-20% ∆9-THC 7 CFR Part 990 1 “Postdecarboxylation In the context of testing methodologies for THC concentration levels in hemp, means a value determined after the process
Avoiding a Hot Crop: Minimizing the Risk of Non-compliant THC Tests . . . The CBDA synthase enzyme that is responsible for synthesizing CBD produces a small amount of THC at a ratio of roughly 20:1 (CBD:THC) Therefore, farmers can only expect to achieve 6% to 8% CBD before the crop becomes “hot” (above 0 3% total THC)
Testing Guidelines for Hemp - Regulations. gov The results are intended to measure the THC content of composite hemp samples collected from a designated “lot” of hemp crop acreage designated by a hemp producer and as reported to the USDA Farm Service Agency as required under the USDA hemp production program
Hemp Compliance Module | Test Low THC | LightLab Analyzers LightLab’s Hemp Compliance Module analyzes THC content in plant and concentrate material using a specialized analysis technique to ensure accuracy down to 0 05% THC, well below the typical, legal THC limit of 0 3% in most jurisdictions
Analytical Testing of Hemp: Agricultural Certification and Consumer . . . • The 0 3% THC standard is based upon total Delta-9 THC • Slightly confounds things is there are 2 main methods for testing • HPLC –parent and acidified compounds • GC –parent compounds • How address this issue: • Calculation: Total THC = THC + (0 877)THC-a • Heat: force decarboxylaion via heat
Understanding Hemp Compliance: Meeting USDA Testing Standards Hemp growers must follow USDA and state testing rules for compliance testing to avoid costly crop losses and potential license restrictions The best way to monitor total THC levels is to partner with a qualified lab to test hemp plants early and often throughout the growth cycle
New Hemp Testing Guidelines Make Meeting 0. 3% THC Limit Difficult New regulations around sampling and potency testing will make it difficult for farmers to stay under the 0 3% THC limit The USDA sampling protocol states the sample must come from the top 1 3 of the plant This guidance is in line with the common international standards
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station - CT. gov Labs must indicate the method of testing on the Certificate of Analysis (“COA”) The COA must also include a statement whether or not the sample has a delta-9 THC concentration greater than 0 3% on a dry weight basis
Hemp Testing for THC and Other Cannabinoids: A Closer Look at How Hemp . . . Per current federal regulations, the goal of pre-harvest testing is to verify that a hemp crop has less than 0 3% THC on a dry-weight basis But tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is just one of many notable cannabinoids found in the species Cannabis Sativa L