Cannabis potency testing standards demand that laboratories accurately quantify active cannabinoid content in samples. While this can be complex as concentration-to-potency of cannabinoids varies between products, analytical methods such as liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) can help ensure product quality and consumer safety.

Marijuana and hemp products today take many forms, ranging from flowers and concentrates for smoking to oils and tinctures, candy, and baked goods, and they consist of 1000s of different compounds. The diverse sample sources and forms make accurate potency testing complex. Finding the right technique to characterize the potency of cannabinoids in both flowers and concentrates, using standardized analysis protocols, is key.

Typical cannabis potency testing involves quantifying the 5 common cannabinoids: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC ), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabinol (CBN) and tetrahydrocannabinolic. But the diverse sample sources demands complete potency testing to include potency tests for cannabinoids such as cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabichromene (CBC).

The LC-MS/MS solution for marijuana and hemp potency testing

The methodology for obtaining potency values varies depending on the analytical technique and instrumentation. Marijuana and hemp testing labs need accurate, reliable, and innovative analytical methods and instrumentation that give them the flexibility to customize or streamline workflows. This is where SCIEX comes in. Our LC-MS/MS instrumentation provides what you need to take charge of your cannabis potency testing.