Hemp Testing Procedure: When and What to Test?

Difference between hemp and medical cannabis

Hemp and marijuana are derived from the same species of Cannabis sativa but there is a difference in the genetic composition of the two. The cultivation process for hemp differs from medical or recreational grade cannabis. While cannabis is used as a psychotropic drug used for medical or recreational purposes, hemp finds its place in many industries including food and beverages, beauty and personal hygiene, dietary supplements, fabric, ropes, and paper. Hemp and medical cannabis differ even in their statutory reference in legal terms. 

Hemp testing parameters

As per the guideline of USDA for a cultivar of cannabis to be considered a hemp crop the concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC has to be less than 0.3%. USDA changes the guidelines as per development in technology and growth of the hemp industry. Considering the stringent margin of THC there is hardly any room for error in the final product. This translates to the high importance of hemp testing for producers at different stages of production. 

Hemp trivia

The regulatory hurdle is a challenge for industrial hemp producers and the low margin of the potency of THC will determine if the cannabis derivative is classified as hemp or not. Hemp products are legal in all fifty states of the United States. However, cannabis is not legal at the federal level, and in a few states, it is not legal. Owing to its close association with marijuana, the production of hemp was also restricted for many years in the US. 

Since the concentration of cannabinoids distinguishes cannabis from hemp or marijuana, all the factors that influence from seed stage to end product play a vital role. For instance, plants are grown less densely for hemp use encouraging branches and leaf growth that have less concentration of THC. This is because the concentration of cannabinoids is high in flowering heads of a cannabis plant and will be referred to as marijuana. 

Why is hemp testing crucial?

A variant of Cannabis Sativa can vary in concentration levels of cannabinoids. As iterated and stated in statutes the concentration of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9 THC) in hemp must be less than 0.3%. The primer of this distinction is based on the psychoactive properties of THC compounds that have an intoxicating effect. With tight margins to work around it is imperative for hemp producers to test their products lest it is a contraband substance in a few states because of the presence of a tad bit higher concentration of THC compounds. 

Let us check other benefits and reasons that make hemp testing crucial for growers and producers:

• Compliance

USDA lays out the statutes for testing samples for hemp grown in a state of the tribal production plan. These requirements may also differ between the state and tribal hemp production plans. The labs test the sample and analyze the THC concentration using the post-decarboxylation method.

Labs also assess the potential of the delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA) conversion to THC at a later stage which will ultimately increase the concentration beyond stipulated limits for hemp. The concentration of cannabinoids is reported on a dry weight basis for hemp samples. 

Growing hemp is not easy as soil, water, climate, and a host of other factors influence the concentration of cannabinoids. Although the growers do everything they can, there are elements beyond their control that ultimately increase the concentration of THC above the 0.3% threshold limit. USDA takes these facts into cognizance and does not penalize growers if the margins vary slightly. 

However, all products that have a THC limit above 0.3% have to destroy their product. For instance, if test results show that THC is above the prescribed limit but less than 0.5%, then the growers are not deemed to violate the law. Nevertheless, as per protocol, the substance has to be disposed of as per DEA regulations. 

• Human Safety

Hemp is used in many food and beverages for both human and veterinary consumption. The safety of the end product is determined after analyzing the sample through hemp testing laboratory procedures. This process will screen the sample for harmful contamination that can be caused by microbial action, heavy metals, and unwarranted pesticides. 

• Microbial testing

Microbial action in food contamination is the biggest challenge for food processing industries. If undetected batches leave the plant premises and end up on supermarket shelves, people who use any contaminated hemp-based foods from such batches will experience several health hazards and some of them are fatal causing the death of a person. Microbial screening using the latest polymerase chain reaction methods will determine the genetic barcode and identify the presence of bacteria, yeast, fungi, and other pathogens that are harmful to humans and animals. 

• Heavy metal testing 

Heavy metals like cadmium, arsenic, and lead are absorbed through groundwater and soil and penetrate through roots into the crop’s other parts. Hemp crops are sourced from various regions that can vary in the content of heavy metals. Metal contamination can occur in the handling and storage stages of hemp processing. Gas and liquid chromatography tests determine the presence of harmful chemicals in a hemp sample and state if it is safe to use or not. 

• Pesticides 

Hemp testing for the presence of harmful residual pesticides beyond the acceptable level will establish the assurance of harmlessness. 

Conclusion:

Hemp was made legal to grow and sell in the United States in the 2018 Farm Bill. The market size for hemp products is estimated to grow at 16.8% CAGR up till 2030 ballooning from the current USD 4.13 billion sizes it enjoys. The growth is seen in demand for industrial hemp in multiple industries like food & beverage, beauty & hygiene, pet care products, fabrics, furniture, and various other players. 

However, the thin line between hemp and cannabis is always a challenge for hemp product producers and growers alike. This is the reason for the importance of investing in hemp testing from a reliable laboratory. It is a solution to meet compliance and avoid the oversight problems that can be a hurdle if unchecked.