When it comes to testing your hemp crops, especially if you’re keen on staying within the legal limits, you’ve got two main players in the game: Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography (GC). Now, each of these methods has its own strengths, but for someone like you, who’s looking to get accurate readings of levels in hemp, there’s a clear winner.
HPLC: Your Go-To for Accurate Levels
- Think of HPLC as the reliable, detail-oriented workhorse. It’s known for its accuracy and doesn’t mess with the natural state in your samples. This means it can tell the difference between and without converting one into the other.
- For a hemp grower, this is key. You want to make sure your product has low right? HPLC won’t lead you astray by mistakenly converting and giving you a false reading.
GC: Great for Terpenes, Not So Much for
- Now, GC is great in its own right. It’s particularly handy for analyzing terpenes and other components. But here’s the catch: GC uses heat, and that heat can change. This could make your hemp look like it’s got more than it actually does. Not ideal if you’re trying to stay compliant with regulations.
Why This Matters to You
- As a seasoned grower, you know the importance of staying compliant and ensuring your product is what you say it is. By choosing a lab that uses HPLC for your testing, you’re making sure you get the real picture of your hemp’s content. No surprises, no legal headaches.
A Quick Note on Labs and Quality
- Remember, not all labs are created equal. Some follow strict practices like Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) or have ISO accreditation, ensuring the reliability of their tests. So, when you pick a lab, it’s not just about the testing method; it’s also about their quality standards.
In summary, if you’re in the business of producing top-notch hemp with compliant levels, HPLC is your friend. It gives you that accurate, no-nonsense profile of your product, letting you stay confident in what you’re growing and selling. And hey, that’s what being a top-tier breeder in this game is all about, isn’t it?
Labs that use HPLC
Colorado
- SC Labs – They offer a wide range of testing services for various cannabis products, including flowers, concentrates, e-liquids, isolates, and infused products like tinctures and edibles. SC Labs is committed to bridging the gap between quality assurance and regulatory compliance in cannabis testing.
- Gobi Labs – Recognized as one of the most awarded testing facilities in Colorado, Gobi Labs conducts a variety of tests including, microbial, residual solvents, pesticides, and terpenes. They are ISO/IEC 17025 accredited and licensed by the Colorado Department of Revenue.
- Kaycha Labs – With a focus on a comprehensive range of testing services, Kaycha Labs conducts, terpene, heavy metal, residual solvent, microbial, and mycotoxin testing among others. They are equipped to handle hemp testing and cannabis products.
- Nordic Analytical Laboratories – They offer a diverse selection of testing services for both recreational and cannabis. Nordic Analytical Laboratories utilizes HPLC for all cannabis tests, ensuring and accurate results. Their services are available at two locations in Colorado.
- The Good Lab – Specializing in cannabis lab testing and analytics, The Good Lab offers a profile using HPLC with Photo Diode Array (PDA) for enhanced detection. They provide comprehensive analysis of therapeutic compounds found in cannabis.
North Carolina
- North Laboratories: This lab offers a range of services, including testing via HPLC. They can test for a comprehensive list of including CBDV, CBDA, CBGA, CBG, CBD, CBN, CBC, and. North Laboratories also provides testing for pesticides, terpenes, residual solvents, mycotoxins, heavy metals, and microbials.
- Avazyme, Inc.: Located in Durham, NC, Avazyme is a DEA and State Certified Laboratory that offers a wide array of testing services. They can perform tests for CBD, Profiles & Terpenes, Pesticide Residues, Extraction Efficiency, Shelf-Life Stability, Residue Solvents, Flavors, Aromas, Mycotoxins, Nutrition Panel, Food-Borne Pathogens, Moisture, & Heavy Metals. Avazyme is known for providing customized testing solutions and is actively involved in supporting the industrial hemp program in North Carolina.
Other States
The National Cannabis Laboratory Council (NCLC), formed by Perkins Coie and various lab scientists and operators, is advocating for unified testing standards. Labs like PSI Labs, Kaycha Laboratories, Green Scientific Labs, Smithers, and Rocky Mountain Reagents, are working towards that approach. These labs and others involved in the NCLC may be good points of contact for HPLC testing needs across different states.