Understanding Your Cannabis
What lab data means, why it matters, and how to use it
Potency: Cannabinoids
What are THC and CBD?
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. When a lab report shows "Total THC," that number includes both THCA (the raw form in the plant) and Delta-9 THC (the activated form). The formula is: Total THC = Delta-9 THC + (THCA x 0.877).
CBD (cannabidiol) is non-intoxicating and has been studied for anxiety, inflammation, and seizure management. Total CBD works the same way: Total CBD = CBD + (CBDA x 0.877).
Beyond THC: Minor Cannabinoids
There's more to cannabis than THC percentage. Labs typically test for a panel of cannabinoids, each with different properties:
The "parent" cannabinoid. Research suggests anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.
Forms as THC ages. Often associated with sedation, though research is limited.
Non-intoxicating. Studied for anti-inflammatory and antidepressant potential.
May modulate appetite differently than THC. Research is emerging.
The Entourage Effect
Research suggests that cannabinoids, terpenes, and other plant compounds may work together synergistically — the "entourage effect." This is why a product with 20% THC and a rich terpene profile may feel different from one with 30% THC and minimal terpenes. The whole plant is more than the sum of its parts.
This is why we built the Entourage Leaders leaderboard — to highlight products with the richest overall chemical profiles, not just the highest THC.
What the Percentages Mean
When a COA says "25.3% Total THC," that means 25.3 milligrams of THC per 100 milligrams of product for flower. For concentrates, numbers can be much higher (60-90%). For edibles, potency is measured in milligrams per serving rather than percentages.
mg/g (milligrams per gram) is the other common unit. The conversion is simple: 1% = 10 mg/g. So 25.3% THC = 253 mg/g.
Key takeaway
THC percentage alone doesn't predict your experience. The entourage of cannabinoids and terpenes may matter as much as potency.
Flavor & Effects: Terpenes
What Are Terpenes?
Terpenes are aromatic compounds produced by plants. They're what makes lemons smell citrusy, pine trees smell fresh, and lavender smell calming. Cannabis produces over 200 terpenes, and the specific mix is what gives each strain its unique aroma and character.
Terpene testing is increasingly recognized as essential because two products with identical THC percentages can feel very different based on their terpene profiles.
Common Terpenes
Citrus aroma. Research links it to elevated mood and stress relief. Also found in lemon peel and orange rind.
Earthy, musky aroma. The most common cannabis terpene. Associated with sedating, relaxing effects. Also found in mangoes and hops.
Peppery, spicy aroma. Unique: it's the only terpene that directly activates cannabinoid receptors (CB2). Strong anti-inflammatory evidence. Also found in black pepper and cloves.
Fresh pine aroma. Research suggests alertness and memory retention benefits. The most abundant terpene in nature. Also found in pine needles and rosemary.
Floral, lavender aroma. Well-studied for anti-anxiety and calming effects. Also found in lavender, mint, and cinnamon.
Woody, earthy aroma. Research suggests appetite suppressant properties. Also found in hops, sage, and ginseng.
Research Citations
Effects described above are based on peer-reviewed research. These are not therapeutic claims.
"Two products with identical THC can feel completely different based on their terpene profiles."
Safety: Contaminants
What Labs Test For
New York State requires licensed testing laboratories to screen cannabis products for several categories of contaminants before they can be sold:
Residues from pest management. NYS tests for a panel of prohibited pesticides with defined pass/fail thresholds.
Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Cannabis can absorb these from soil. Measured in parts per million (ppm) with specific limits.
Total yeast & mold, aerobic bacteria, E. coli, Salmonella. For flower, some microbial counts are report-only (no pass/fail threshold).
Toxic compounds produced by molds (aflatoxins, ochratoxin). Have defined pass/fail thresholds.
Chemicals used in extraction (butane, ethanol, propane). Only applies to concentrate and extract products.
Measures conditions favorable for microbial growth. High water activity = higher mold risk during storage.
What "PASS" Actually Means
A "PASS" result means the product met New York State's allowable limits for that test category. It does not mean zero contaminants were detected.
For example: A product can "PASS" heavy metals testing while still containing detectable levels of lead — as long as the level is below the state's action limit. That's why we show you the actual numbers, not just the stamp.
Some tests are "report-only" in New York State. For flower, total yeast & mold and total aerobic bacteria must be tested and reported, but there is no defined pass/fail threshold. The lab reports the numbers; the state doesn't set a limit.
Source: NYS Office of Cannabis Management. Testing limits published at OCM Testing Limits (Dec 2025).
Key takeaway
"PASS" means within state limits, not contaminant-free. The actual numbers tell the full story.
How to Read a COA
The Key Sections
1. Sample Information
Product name, batch/lot number, sample date, and the lab that performed testing. This is how you verify the COA matches your product.
2. Cannabinoid Panel
THC, CBD, and minor cannabinoids shown as percentages (%) and/or mg/g. Look for "Total THC" and "Total CBD" as the headline numbers. "ND" means Not Detected. "LOQ" is the Limit of Quantitation — below this, the lab can't measure precisely.
3. Terpene Profile
Individual terpenes listed with percentages. Total terpenes above 2% is considered a rich profile. This section tells you about flavor, aroma, and potential effects.
4. Contaminant Testing
Pesticides, heavy metals, microbials, and mycotoxins. Each shows the result, the action limit, and PASS/FAIL. Results below the Limit of Quantitation (LOQ) are typically reported as "<LOQ" — this means the substance wasn't detected at meaningful levels.
5. Lab Accreditation
The lab's permit number and accreditation. In New York State, only OCM-licensed laboratories can perform compliance testing.
On OpenCOA, we extract all of this data from the raw PDF and present it in a structured, searchable format. You can compare products side-by-side, see terpene profiles visualized, and understand what the numbers actually mean.
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