Cannabis Testing Equipment, What You Need to Know

Changing attitudes toward cannabis in recent years has led to corresponding growth in the cannabis testing industry. Interesting in cashing in on a piece of the pie? Here are a few things you need to know!

 

Common Types of Cannabis Testing

Laboratories will typically test cannabis for residual solvents, physical and microbial contamination, potency, and terpenes. Each form of testing involves its own processes and equipment.

 

Cannabis Testing Lab Setup

Upon entering the lab, the first step in the cannabis testing process is a visual inspection with a high-magnification dissecting microscope. Once it’s been established that it’s a clean sample – the next step is to separate the cannabinoids and extract the solution so that its potency can be tested using chromatography.

 

Additional Equipment

There are a few other necessary pieces of equipment to perform the full range of cannabis testing. Mass spectrometers are required to test for pesticides. PCR machines can perform terpene, contaminant and strain testing and are capable of obtaining results related to bacteria, mold, yeast, and fungus counts in less than an hour while also simultaneously quantifying DNA molecules.

 

Personnel Requirements

In addition to the required laboratory equipment, staffing your lab with individuals with the appropriate experience and knowledge is also important. Analytical chemists and extraction technicians are a key tool in making sure your lab runs effectively, efficiently and profitably.