The states tend to be very particular about regulating medical cannabis. For example, they tend to mandate what is known as the certificate of analysis (COA). Such mandates are developed as consumer safety and regulatory tools.
In simple English, a COA is a document detailing the contents, potency, and safety of a medical cannabis product. An independent laboratory tasked with testing products prior to sale issues them. As for the rigor of the testing, it varies by state.
From the patient’s perspective, a COA provides vital information that could affect how well a medical cannabis product works. In addition, it gives patients peace of mind in the sense that they know the products they are using have been determined safe by an independent lab.
What a COA Typically Includes
State regulations regarding COAs can differ quite a bit. As a general rule, a COA typically includes the following information:
- Cannabinoids and Terpenes – Cannabinoid and terpene profiles are commonly listed on COAs. The document will list concentrations of THC, CBD, and a variety of terpenes along with the effects patients can expect from them.
- Contaminants – A COA details the absence (or presence, if necessary) of known contaminants including bacteria, mold, pesticides, heavy metals, and residual solvents.
- Product Information – Any relevant product information mandated by state law will be included in a COA.
- Lab Information – COAs almost always include information about lab source, batch number, lot number, and testing dates. The information is included for traceability purposes.
In essence, the COA is a document that benefits both patients and regulators. Patients can trust the data for safety purposes. Meanwhile, regulators can use the data to verify compliance. When violations are noted, the data provides evidence.
Direct Impacts on Patients
It would be interesting to do a study of the frequency with which medical cannabis patients actually read COAs. And among those that do, how many really understand what they are reading? Nonetheless, the operators of Salt Lake City, Utah’s Beehive Farmacy says that the information directly impacts patients in four ways:
- Safety – COA information next to verify safety in the patient’s mind. The patient can always lean on the data to verify for themselves that their medicines are safe to use.
- Dosing – Reported cannabinoid and terpene profiles make it possible for patients to make informed decisions about dosing. The profiles can be matched to a patient’s therapeutic needs to avoid overdosing or experiencing unexpected side effects.
- Transparency – COAs provide transparency in the sense that patients know they are using only tested and compliant products. Patients can also know when products were tested and by home.
- Choices – By reading COA information, a patient can better compare products based on actual testing data. They can make more informed choices rather than relying exclusively on marketing information.
The last point is probably the most important of all. As Beehive Farmacy explains, marketing has nothing to do with a medicine’s potency or efficacy. Deciding on a medical cannabis product based solely on marketing doesn’t help a patient. Instead, patients need to know about cannabinoids and terpenes – both of which are included in COAs.
Ask a Medical Cannabis Pharmacist
Beehive Farmacy has one final word for patients regarding the COA: those who have any questions about COA information should feel free to ask their pharmacists. The on-site pharmacist at any medical cannabis pharmacy should be able to answer questions fully and transparently.
The COA is a valuable tool for informing patients and equipping regulators. It’s no surprise that states with medical cannabis programs mandate its use. Why wouldn’t they?
