What Is a Certificate of Analysis (COA)?
A certificate of analysis, or COA, is the lab report for a batch of cannabis. An independent testing lab measures its cannabinoids and, where state rules require, screens for contaminants such as pesticides, microbes, heavy metals and residual solvents. You match a COA to your product using the batch number on the label.
By ShopJeeter editorial team · Last updated · 3 min read · 4 sources
Who makes a COA?
In legal markets, cannabis is tested by licensed, independent laboratories before it can be sold. The lab takes a sample from each batch, runs the tests the state requires and issues a certificate of analysis with the results. The producer can't sell a batch that fails the required tests.
Requirements differ by state. California's Department of Cannabis Control (opens in a new tab) oversees testing labs and sets the rules there.
What does a COA test for?
| Section | What it measures |
|---|---|
| Cannabinoids (potency) | Amounts of THC, THCa, CBD and others |
| Terpenes | Aromatic compounds, where tested |
| Pesticides | Residues of agricultural chemicals |
| Microbials | Harmful bacteria, mould and yeast |
| Heavy metals | Such as lead and arsenic |
| Residual solvents | Leftover extraction solvents in concentrates |
| Moisture / water activity | Whether flower is dry enough to resist mould |
Not every state requires every test, and not every product needs every test; for example, residual solvents matter for extracts, not plain flower.
How do you read the cannabinoid section?
You'll usually see a table of cannabinoids with a percentage or milligram value for each. THCa is often the largest number in flower, because that's the form THC takes in the raw plant; it converts to THC when heated. Many COAs show a 'total THC' figure that accounts for this. Our post on what THCa is explains the conversion, and what THC percentage means puts the numbers in context.
What do 'pass', 'ND' and 'LOQ' mean?
- Pass: the batch met the state's limit for that test.
- ND (not detected): the lab didn't find the substance above what it can measure.
- LOQ (limit of quantitation): the smallest amount the lab can reliably measure.
- Action level: the state's maximum allowed amount for a contaminant.
A clean safety section is mostly 'pass' and 'ND'. If any required test shows a fail, that batch shouldn't be on sale.
How do you match a COA to your product?
Every legal package carries a batch or lot number. The COA shows the same batch number, along with the lab's name and the test date. If the numbers match, the report is for your product. Some brands link COAs through a QR code on the package; it's still worth checking that the batch number on the report matches the one printed on your label.
Our guide to reading a cannabis label shows where to find the batch number.
What are the red flags on a COA?
- The batch number doesn't match your package.
- No lab name, licence or date.
- Results that look identical across many different products.
- A report that's blurry, cropped or looks edited.
Any of these is a reason not to use the product. Counterfeit packaging sometimes includes fake reports; our guide to spotting fake Jeeter products covers what else to look for, and how to check cannabis recalls explains official recall notices.
Why do COAs matter for vapes in particular?
Vape oils are concentrates, so they're made through extraction and refining. That's why tests for residual solvents and other contaminants matter most for carts and All-in-Ones. Products from the illicit market skip this testing entirely, and some have contained harmful additives, which is one of the main reasons to buy vapes only from licensed sources. A matching COA from a licensed lab is one of the clearest signs a cart went through the legal system. Our guide to spotting fake Jeeter products explains the other signs to look for.
Does a COA tell you how a product will feel?
Not on its own. A COA tells you what's in a batch and whether it passed safety tests. How it feels depends on the amount you use, the format, your tolerance and the strain's overall makeup. Use the COA to confirm a product is genuine and safe, then use strain type, mood tags and your own experience to choose; see picking a Jeeter by mood.
Browse the current range by format in the shop, or start with pre-rolls and vapes.
Where does this information come from?
- State of California. Department of Cannabis Control
- California Department of Cannabis Control. Information for cannabis consumers
- Wikipedia. Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products
This post is general information for adults 21 and over. It isn't medical advice. Effects vary from person to person; start low and go slow.
Ready to choose? Browse every strain and size at the Jeeter store home page for pre-rolls, vapes, flower and kits in one place.
