The CBD industry is still booming after 2018’s Farm Bill gave the sector a chance. The head-spinning pace at which CBD products took over the market leaves some people wondering how to tell if using the oils and infusions is right for them. THC levels remain particular concerns for those uninterested in THC’s psychoactive effects. Let’s discuss how and why CBD THC levels are tested as well as how those results affect a buyer’s decision-making process.
The Science Behind THC Testing
Two methods measure cannabis potency: gas chromatography and liquid chromatography. Essentially, these techniques use a solvent to break down the material into its basic components and identify the molecules present. The industry uses various chromatography techniques to measure THC levels today. These techniques are often paired with mass spectrometry to gain more precise insights into the CBD product. Alongside measuring THC levels, this process tests for the presence of heavy metals, measures pesticide levels, and looks for residual solvents left over from the extraction process.
The Importance of Exact Measurements
Having accurate information on THC levels and product components is necessary for any CBD manufacturer in the United States. Among other states in the US, Texas and Indiana place strict limits on THC levels in CBD products sold to the public. In these states, THC levels must remain under 0.3% to stay legal for sale and use. This means that knowing the exact measurements in each product is vital not just for the manufacturer but also for the retailer and the consumer.
What Consumers Do with THC Level Information
Consumers rely on the precise lab results of chromatography in many ways beyond legality. Understanding the THC levels in CBD products gives consumers more control over the products they put in their bodies to help them achieve their desired outcomes. Allergies are also factors that can lead consumers to need to see the exact components present in the product.
Knowing how and why CBD THC levels are tested allows consumers and retailers to make more informed decisions about the products they sell and use. THC level measurements specifically let consumers shop more confidently between isolates, broad-spectrum products, and full-spectrum products.
