Testing - Flower Scientific

We provide a comprehensive menu of services to participants in the cannabis industry with accurate results. Flower Scientific offers tests and services aimed to guarantee the quality and potency of all cannabis products while ensuring the compliance of regulatory guidelines in Arizona.

How It Works

Ordering Tests/Dashboard Portal
You can place your testing orders using our innovative & user-friendly ordering portal through TagLeaf. You are able to search through samples, view specific orders, results, Chain of Custody documents, and includes the ability to print labels with QR codes of your COAs. The portal is highly user friendly and allows our laboratory to give you additional compliance information in your reports.

Sample Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Upon submitting your testing orders, instructional information will be emailed on how to drop off or schedule a pick-up. We offer courier service for the Phoenix metro area at this time.

Test Results
The completed COA will be available through our client portal and a notification will be sent via email. Our commitment is to ensure all COA results are received in a timely manner.

Test Results Questions
You have an option to speak with one of our scientific professionals and/or account manager to receive further explanation of your test results. We are here to answer any questions and support you and your business.

Lab Testing Menu

PESTICIDES

Just like for agricultural food products, pesticide is used to grow the commodity. Analyzing the pesticide residue of cannabis will determine if the levels of pesticide fall within Arizona state requirements.

Specific Tests and/or Properties Measured
Abamectin, Acephate, Acequinocyl, Acetamiprid, Aldicarb, Azoxystrobin, Bifenazate, Bifenthrin, Boscalid, Carbaryl, Carbofuran, Chlorantraniliprole, Chlorfenapyr, Chlorpyriphos, Clofentezine, Cyfluthrin, Cypermethrin, Daminozide, Diazinon, Dichlorvos, Dimethoate, Ethoprophos, Etofenprox, Etoxazole, Fenoxycarb, Fenpyroximate, Fipronil, Flonicamid, Fludioxonil, Hexythiazox, Imazalil, Imidacloprid, Kresoxim-methyl, Malathion, Metalaxyl, Methiocarb, Methomyl, Myclobutanil, Naled, Oxamyl, Paclobutrazol, Permethrins, Phosmet, Piperonyl butoxide, Prallethrin, Propiconazole, Propoxur, Pyrethrins, Pyridaben, Spinosad, Spiromesifen, Spirotetramat, Spiroxamine, Tebuconazole, Thiacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Trifloxystrobin.

Items, Materials, or Product Tested
Cannabis Flower, Concentrates, Extracts, and Edibles

Key Equipment or Technology
LC/MS/MS

Test Benefits
Our pesticide testing detects trace amounts of chemical pesticides, fungicides, and plant growth regulator (PGR) residues in flowers, finished products, biomass, liquids, solids, material inputs, and more. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) is used to target Arizona’s 58 compound list.

MYCOTOXINS

Mycotoxin testing reveals the presence of harmful toxins in your cannabis products that are produced by microbial pathogens.

Specific Tests and/or Properties Measured
Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2), Ochratoxin A

Items, Materials, or Product Tested
Cannabis Flower, Concentrates, Extracts, and Edibles

Key Equipment or Technology
LC/MS/MS

Test Benefits
Mycotoxin testing will ensure your products are safe for inhalation and consumption and we use LC/MS/MS to detect trace levels of mycotoxins in all kinds of cannabis products. A byproduct of mold and fungi that thrive in the cultivation stage, heat-resistant mycotoxins are toxic to humans and can still be present in your final product even if the molds and fungi have been killed.

POTENCY

Potency testing for flower, concentrates, topicals and edibles verifies the presence and amount of potent compounds found in cannabis.

Specific Tests and/or Properties Measured
Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), Cannabigerol (CBG), delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THC-A), Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabinol (CBN), delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (d9-THC), Cannabichromene (CBC), Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), delta8-Tetrahydrocannobinol (d8-THC), Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)

Items, Materials, or Product Tested
Cannabis Flower, Concentrates, Extracts, and Edibles

Key Equipment or Technology
HPLC

Test Benefits
Our Cannabinoid Potency method provides you with a true, full-spectrum profile of your cannabis products. We utilize state of the art equipment to detect and quantify 10 cannabinoids. Our accurate results enable you to provide your consumers with the information needed for product formulation and labeling accuracy.

RESIDUAL SOLVENTS

Residual solvents are organic volatile chemicals used in producing cannabis concentrates. Testing can determine the quality and safety of levels of the processed chemicals utilized in the production of cannabis concentrates.

Specific Tests and/or Properties Measured
Acetone, Acetonitrile, Butanes, Diethyl ether, Ethyl acetate, Ethanol, 2-propanol (IPA), isopropyl acetate, Methanol, Methylene chloride, n-Heptane, Pentanes, Hexanes, Toluene, Xylenes, Chloroform, Benzene

Items, Materials, or Product Tested
Cannabis Concentrates, Extracts, and Edibles

Key Equipment or Technology
GCMS

Test Benefits
Our residual solvent testing detects trace amounts of solvents, byproducts, impurities, and/or other added odorants and chemicals present in concentrated forms of cannabis. Some processing chemicals and solvents used during cannabis extraction are known to have carcinogenic and toxic properties. It is important for the manufacturer to know how much of their solvents and chemicals remain in their products.

TERPENES

A cannabis terpenes analysis will identify any of the different types of terpenoids found in your cannabis products.

Specific Tests and/or Properties Measured
α-Pinene, Camphene, β-Pinene, β-Myrcene, δ-3-Carene, α-Terpinene, (+)-Limonene, Eucalyptol, γ-Terpenene, Terpinolene, Linalool, Isopulegol, Geraniol, β-Caryophyllene, α-Humulene, Nerolidol 1, Nerolidol 2, (–)-Guaiol, Carophyllene Oxide, (-)-α-Bisabolol, p-Cymene.

Items, Materials, or Product Tested
Cannabis Flower, Concentrates, Extracts, and Edibles

Key Equipment or Technology
GCMS

Test Benefits Terpenoid and terpene analysis is beneficial for everyone, including cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, consumers, and patients. It bolsters the understanding of a strain’s potential when recommending varieties that best suit the consumer’s needs. Terpenes are naturally produced by the cannabis plant and different terpenes determine the aroma and type of effect felt from using the cannabis product. Effects from the terpenes vary; some are especially successful in inducing sleep while other stimulate mental focus. Their differences can be subtle, but terpenes can add great depth to the horticultural art and connoisseurship of cannabis.

HEAVY METALS

Heavy metals can be present in cannabis because of the use of low-grade pesticides, fertilizers, contaminated water sources, and growing in areas of old industrial sites. Testing for heavy metals in cannabis can not only help identify dangerous products, but also sources of contamination within a cultivation and manufacturing process.

Specific Tests and/or Properties Measured
Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Mercury

Items, Materials, or Product Tested
Cannabis Flower, Concentrates, Extracts, and Edibles

Key Equipment or Technology
ICPMS

Test Benefits
Mercury, Cadmium, Lead, and Arsenic are all toxic to human health at even small concentrations. Testing for heavy metals can help you determine if your product has come in contact with these potentially hazardous materials at any point in the growing or manufacturing process.

Cannabis is well known for its ability to remove these elements from soil, fertilizers, and other media and accumulate them in their stems, leaves, flowers, and roots. Once consumed or inhales, these metals disrupt vital processes in the Central Nervous System, Pulmonary System, Reproductive System, and other systems throughout the body.

We perform heavy metals testing utilizing state-of-the-art instruments and validated methods. Give your customers confidence that your products are free of heavy metals by testing with Flower Scientific.

MOISTURE CONTENT AND WATER ACTIVITY

The moisture content is the percentage, by weight, that is water in your cannabis product. Water activity is a measure of how much water is not chemically bound to the cannabis product.

Specific Tests and/or Properties Measured
Water Activity/Moisture Content

Items, Materials, or Product Tested
Cannabis Flower

Key Equipment or Technology
Loss on Drying

Test Benefits
Moisture content is a common indicator of how ready cannabis is for smoking after being dried and cured, with 10-12% moisture being the ideal target. The analysis of moisture content is determined through weight loss on drying. This is calculated based on the difference between the wet sample weight and the dried sample weight.

Water activity provides the basis of shelf stability and is considered a critical control point for preventing microbial contamination in edible products or chemical reactions in biomass. Testing for water activity can help determine the cause of contamination and ensure that your product remains compliant with Arizona regulations.

MICROBIAL

Cannabis microbial testing detects the presence of pathogenic bacteria and mold that can be lethal in high concentrations.

Specific Tests and/or Properties Measured
Salmonella spp., E. Coli, A. Flavus, A. Fumigatus, A. Niger, A. Terreus

Items, Materials, or Product Tested
Cannabis Flower, Concentrates, Extracts, and Edibles

Key Equipment or Technology
PCR/Hybridization/3M Petrifilm

Test Benefits
Microbial Testing is performed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing to ensure the safety of the cannabis products that have the potential to be very harmful when consumed or inhaled. Aspergillus species can cause respiratory infections, while Shiga-toxin producing E.coli and several species of Salmonella can cause gastroenteritis and diarrhea. The same conditions that are ideal for cultivation can also be ideal for the proliferation of microorganisms, bacteria, and pathogens. Microbiological contaminants can easily establish a foothold at any stage of the production process, leading to substantial loss of product and costly remediation.