CBD, the rising star in the health and wellness industry, has captured the attention of people worldwide.
With its potential benefits, the market for CBD has skyrocketed to an impressive worth of $2.8 billion in 2020. However, this rapid growth has unfortunately brought along some substandard products.
As a chiropractor, it’s essential to guide and educate your patients on the quality and effectiveness of CBD.
That’s why we’re here to shed light on a crucial tool in the CBD industry: the CBD isolate certificate of analysis (COA).
1. What is a Certificate of Analysis?
A certificate of analysis (COA) is an important document that provides verified information about a product.
It includes details about the testing laboratory, the brand, and the specific product being tested.
The primary purpose of a COA is to disclose the potency of the ingredients present in the product, particularly in the case of hemp, CBD, and cannabis products.
These ingredients are usually cannabinoids like THC, CBD, CBG, and CBN.
COAs may also provide information about terpenes, which are aromatic components contributing to the product’s scent, flavor, and therapeutic properties.
Besides ingredient potency, COAs are crucial for consumers to assess whether the product is free from harmful contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, molds, and bacteria.Â
Both USDA and state guidelines mandate that all products undergo testing.
If a product lacks a COA, it is strongly advised not to consume or purchase it.
In summary, COAs are essential documents that disclose ingredient potency and ensure product safety by verifying the absence of harmful contaminants.
Consumers should always look for COAs to make informed decisions about the products they consume or purchase.
Here’s a guide on where to look for Stirling Professional’s COA using the QR codes and how they work.Â
2. Why Are Certificates Of Analysis For CBD So Important?
In the rapidly expanding CBD industry, transparency is key. As a consumer or healthcare professional, you deserve to know exactly what you’re getting in a CBD product. That’s where Certificates of Analysis (COAs) come in.Â
These documents, provided by reputable CBD manufacturers, offer a comprehensive analysis of the product’s composition, quality, and safety.
Here’s why COAs are important and what you can gain from them:
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Identification of CBD product contents
COAs help you determine the specific ingredients in your CBD product. This is particularly useful to ensure no THC in your CBD gummies or any other specific ingredient you may be concerned about.
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Verification of label accuracy
CBD product labeling accuracy is a significant concern, given the lack of strict regulations and FDA oversight in the industry. COAs provide evidence that the product’s actual composition matches what is stated on the label. This confirmation can provide reassurance and trust in the product you are using.
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Compliance with state laws
CBD laws vary from state to state, and it’s crucial to ensure that the CBD product you are using falls within the legal parameters of your specific state. COAs serve as proof that the product complies with the legal limits set by your state. Some states even recommend keeping a copy of the COA with your CBD product to verify its THC and CBD contents if required.
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Assessment of drug test risk
 COAs indicate the detected amount of THC in your CBD product. This information is relevant for individuals concerned about the potential for a positive drug test. Higher THC content increases the likelihood of a positive result, and COAs allow you to evaluate the risk associated with the product you are using.
By utilizing COAs and understanding their implications, you can make informed decisions, ensure product transparency, and navigate the complexities surrounding CBD products more effectively.
3. Guide On Certificate of Analysis
Understanding how to read a CBD certificate of analysis (COA) is essential for extracting the most critical information. While there might be slight variations in reporting formats, most COAs follow a similar structure. Here’s a breakdown of how to interpret the key sections of a CBD certificate of analysis:
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Cannabinoid Types
This section identifies the various cannabinoids in the hemp plant. For full-spectrum CBD products, the COA should list detectable cannabinoids such as CBD, CBDV, and CBG.Â
It will also indicate the presence of THC, which should not exceed 0.3% weight unless the product is labeled and legally sold as cannabis.
If a cannabinoid is listed as “ND” (non-detect), the compound was present in such minimal amounts that it couldn’t be detected by the testing equipment.
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Weight Percentage
Located next to the list of cannabinoid types, this column indicates the percentage by weight of each cannabinoid.
The reported weight refers to the weight of the product itself, excluding packaging.
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Concentration
This column provides the concentration of each cannabinoid in milligrams per gram (mg/g) as part of the whole product.
For CBD oils, the concentration column allows you to verify that you’re getting the advertised amount.
For example, if you purchased a 50-gram product claiming to contain 600mg of CBD, the concentration should show 12mg of CBD per gram.
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Heavy Metal Analysis:
This section tests for the presence of heavy metals, which can be harmful if ingested above safe levels. Look for the tested concentration level of each heavy metal, which indicates how much of each metal was found during testing.
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Pesticide Analysis
Since insects are attracted to hemp plants, CBD COAs often include results for commonly used pesticides.
This section typically presents the tested pesticide levels, acceptable limit thresholds, and whether the results indicate a pass or fail.
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Mycotoxins
Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by fungi and molds, including aflatoxin, ochratoxin A, and ergot alkaloids. It is crucial to ensure that any product you purchase is free from these harmful toxins.
In an ideal scenario, all CBD products should be tested for mycotoxins, along with other factors such as accurate CBD content, absence of pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, microbial contamination, and other toxins.
By conducting comprehensive testing, you can have confidence in the quality and safety of the product you are purchasing.
It is important to verify that the CBD product meets the stated CBD content, is free from contaminants, and poses no health risks.
By understanding these sections and their significance, you can extract valuable information about the cannabinoid content, product concentration, presence of heavy metals, and pesticide levels.
This knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions and ensure the quality and safety of the CBD product you are considering.
ConclusionÂ
Stirling Professional’s CBD certificates of analysis (COAs) play a crucial role in the CBD industry by providing transparency, ensuring product quality, and instilling consumer confidence.
These documents contain vital information about the ingredients, potency, and safety of CBD products. COAs help identify the specific ingredients in CBD products, verify label accuracy, ensure compliance with state laws, and assess the risk of a positive drug test.
Additionally, COAs play a significant role in detecting potential contaminants like heavy metals and pesticides, ensuring that products are safe for consumption.
it is important to seek out Chiropractic CBD products from reputable brands that provide COAs for their products. By utilizing COAs effectively, both brands and consumers can contribute to the promotion of high-quality CBD products, fostering trust and integrity within the industry.