Achieve Accurate Potency with ACS Laboratory's Cannabis Testing

Florida law requires that MMTCs send medical cannabis to third-party labs so they can accurately communicate effects and dosage information to patients. ACS Laboratory leads the nation in cannabis potency testing, offering advanced methods and state-of-the-art equipment that guarantee precise results.  

This article details the need for reliable medical cannabis testing, Florida’s potency testing regulations, and ACS Laboratory’s expertise. 

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Importance of Accurate Cannabis Potency Testing

MMTCs need accurate cannabis potency testing to ensure that their products are safe, effective, and compliant with state regulations. Precise potency testing verifies the levels of key cannabinoids like THC and CBD, which helps patients and healthcare providers make informed treatment decisions.

Accurate potency testing is also a legal requirement in Florida. The Office of Medical Marijuana (OMMU) regulates medical cannabis in Florida to ensure product quality and patient safety. Before dispensing medical cannabis, MMTCs must complete testing to determine that all cannabis is safe for human consumption and free from contaminants. The required testing must also verify that the labeling of THC and CBD concentrations is accurate.

MMTCs must adhere to strict testing guidelines to maintain their licenses and avoid penalties. Inaccurate or misleading potency labels can lead to product recalls, fines, and damage to the MMTC's reputation. 

Unfortunately, inaccurate labeling is a significant issue in the medical cannabis world.

A 2015 investigation uncovered that cannabinoid content (THC and CBD) was under-labeled in 25% and over-labeled in 60% of medical edible products tested (75 total). 

Under-labeling is particularly dangerous because it can cause patients to consume more than intended. High amounts of THC can elicit unwanted impairment and adverse consequences like increased anxiety, paranoia, and mental and physical discomfort. 
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Potency Testing Rules in Florida

MMTCs must perform cannabis potency testing with a Certified Marijuana Testing Laboratory (CMTL) before dispensing final products to qualified patients or caregivers. Current Florida legislation on THC amounts in products makes it crucial for MMTCs to work with CMTLs that can stay on top of the state’s ever-changing cannabis potency testing rules, especially for THC and CBD, which must remain within strict limits depending on the product type.

THC dosage limits: Florida health officials enacted THC dosage amounts and supply limits on products that doctors can order for medical cannabis patients. The established dosage caps set THC weight restrictions on what physicians can prescribe based on the administration route. 

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• Daily THC limits range from 60 mg for edibles to 2 grams for cannabis forms designed for smoking, such as flower. 
• Medical marijuana prescriptions can be no more than three 70-day supply limits or six 35-day supply limits for smoking forms, with a maximum of 2.5 ounces per 35-day supply for smokable marijuana. 
• It also sets THC dosage limits for various routes of administration, with a total 70-day supply not exceeding 24,500 mg of THC for non-smoking forms. 

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Potency in edibles: Florida regulations include specific THC limits in edible medical cannabis products.

• Edibles may not contain more than 200 mg THC.
• A single serving portion may not exceed 10 mg THC. 
• Edibles may have a potency variance of no greater than 15%. 

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Low-THC cannabis: According to Florida law, MMTCs can carry and dispense products that qualify as low-THC cannabis. 

• "Low-THC cannabis" means dried cannabis flower, extract, or other derivatives that contain 0.8% or less THC and more than 10% cannabidiol weight for weight.

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Testing with a reputable CMTL like ACS Laboratory, which understands the complicated testing parameters in Florida and can guarantee accuracy, avoids costly product recalls due to inaccurate THC and CBD levels. 

How ACS Laboratory Provides Accurate Cannabis Potency Testing Results 

ACS Laboratory leads the nation in cannabis testing, having received 82 Emerald Badges for its accuracy in potency and purity—more than any lab in the USA. ACS achieves these award-winning results by going beyond compliance in its methods, equipment, and reporting. 

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Advanced testing methods 

The OMMU requires that CMTLs pass proficiency testing for THC potency, CBD concentration, and contaminants unsafe for human consumption. ACS Laboratory has multiple accreditations and licenses that give it advanced testing methods of the highest caliber in the industry, including:

• Certified as compliant with the requirements of the  ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accredited by A2LA #6786.01, the international standard for testing and calibration laboratories
• Registration with the DEA
• Licensed by the CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) for meeting standards for accuracy, precision, and reliability in testing

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Multiple testing options

ACS Laboratory offers multiple cannabis potency testing options, with the ability to account for up to 30 cannabinoids, the most of any lab in the country. Its Potency 11 medical cannabis testing panel provides MMTCs with the ultimate potency testing solution, identifying the exact concentrations of THC, CBD, and nine other cannabinoids mandated by Florida law.

ACS also offers additional testing options that can account for potency variances in products, including:

• Shelf life and stability testing to ensure products maintain their potency of THC and CBD, which can alter or degrade due to oxidation.
• Homogeneity testing, which is a Florida requirement for edibles to ensure they contain consistent THC concentrations throughout.

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State-of-the-art equipment

Certified laboratories must work with professional testing equipment that satisfies OMMU requirements. ACS Laboratory uses Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to guarantee precision in cannabis potency testing. HPLC is the preferred instrument to test medical cannabis because it offers multiple benefits, including:

• Quantifies measurements to 1/10th of 1% and 1/10th of a milligram for the most precise results possible.
• Works at room temperature without requiring a heated catalyst, which can alter results and cause inaccuracies, especially for edibles and beverages.
• Accounts for THCA and CBDA, the acidic forms of THC and CBD that exist before being decarboxylated by heat and light. This critical step determines the accurate potency of cannabis products intended for heat applications, such as flower and extracts.

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Transparent reporting 

An MMTC must validate the results of cannabis potency testing in an official report called a certificate of analysis (COA) that consumers and regulators can review. A COA verifies that a licensed third-party laboratory performed all required potency and quality tests. More importantly, it proves that a product’s contents match its label’s claims. 

ACS Laboratory uses cutting-edge software to generate a distinctive COA that authenticates and validates all testing results. 

• COAs from ACS are available in English and Spanish. 
• Brands can assess this unique COA through an online results portal with public visibility, allowing easy verification. 
• ACS offers QR codes linked to the COA for seamless integration into product packaging, web pages, and blockchain tracking. 

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The Bottom Line

MMTCs can achieve accurate potency testing by partnering with ACS Laboratory. ACS's advanced methods, state-of-the-art equipment, and deep understanding of Florida's complex regulations ensure precise and reliable results. By choosing ACS, MMTCs can confidently meet state requirements, avoid costly recalls, and provide patients with safe, accurately labeled products that support effective treatment outcomes.

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MMTCs seeking consistent and thorough cannabis test results can email  ACS Laboratory or call 561.510.8396 to start testing today.