What is a Certificate of Analysis?
A Certificate of Analysis (CoA) is a laboratory report issued by an accredited third-party testing lab confirming the composition and safety profile of a CBD product. Every legitimate CBD company should provide CoAs for every batch they sell—and they should be publicly accessible.
Why Third-Party Testing Matters
In-house testing by manufacturers has obvious conflict-of-interest problems. Independent, ISO/IEC 17025-accredited labs provide unbiased analysis. Always check that the lab testing your CBD has no financial relationship with the brand.
Breaking Down a CoA
1. Cannabinoid Profile
This section lists all detected cannabinoids and their concentrations. Key things to verify:
- CBD potency: Should match (±10–15%) what's stated on the label. If a product claims 1000 mg CBD per 15 ml, the CoA should confirm approximately 66–67 mg/ml.
- THC level: Must be below 0.3% by dry weight for federal compliance (USA). Medicanna USA products consistently test below 0.2%.
- Other cannabinoids: Look for CBG, CBN, CBC—these indicate a true full-spectrum extract.
2. Heavy Metals Panel
Hemp readily absorbs metals from soil. The CoA should test for at least: Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), and Mercury (Hg). Results must be below California Prop 65 limits or USP standards.
3. Pesticide Panel
A comprehensive pesticide panel checks for 50–200+ compounds. All should be "Not Detected" (ND) or below the action level. Common problem pesticides: Myclobutanil, Bifenazate, Permethrin.
4. Residual Solvents
Extraction processes use solvents. The CoA should confirm that residual levels of butane, hexane, ethanol, and propane are within safe limits (typically below 500 ppm for Class 2 solvents).
5. Microbiology
Tests for Total Yeast and Mold (TYMC), Total Aerobic Bacteria (TAMC), E. coli, Salmonella, and Aspergillus species. All should pass.
Red Flags in CoAs
- CoA dated more than 1 year ago (potency degrades over time)
- Lab is the same company as the brand
- Only cannabinoid testing—no metals, pesticides, or microbiology
- QR code links to a generic page, not the specific batch report
- CBD content is significantly lower than label claims
At Medicanna USA, each product bottle carries a batch number. Scan or enter it on our website to access the full CoA for that specific batch—not a generic document.