Scan Your Product's COA

A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is an official lab report that comes with every legal cannabis product. Think of it as a detailed nutrition label for cannabis — it shows exactly what's in your product including cannabinoid percentages (THC, CBD, CBG, etc.), terpene profiles that influence effects and aroma, and comprehensive safety test results confirming the product is free from pesticides, heavy metals, mold, residual solvents, and other contaminants. COAs are produced by state-licensed third-party laboratories.

A COA is essential for medical marijuana patients for several reasons: (1) Dosing accuracy — knowing the exact THC and CBD percentages helps you take the right amount for your condition, (2) Safety verification — confirms your product passed tests for harmful contaminants like pesticides and mold, (3) Consistency — helps you find products with similar cannabinoid and terpene profiles that work for your symptoms, (4) Legal compliance — proves your product was legally tested and approved for sale.

Most legal cannabis products have a QR code on the packaging or label that links directly to the lab results. To access it: (1) Look for a QR code on your product's label, jar, or box, (2) Open your phone's camera and point it at the QR code, (3) Tap the link that appears to open the COA in your browser, (4) Screenshot the results page and upload it to our analyzer. If there's no QR code, ask your budtender — all licensed dispensaries are required by law to have COAs available for every product they sell.

Yes, in all legal cannabis states, licensed dispensaries are required by law to have Certificates of Analysis available for every product they sell. This is a consumer protection requirement. If a dispensary cannot or will not provide a COA for a product, that's a red flag. You can ask the budtender to show you the lab results before purchasing, or look for the QR code on the packaging that links to the COA online.

Total THC represents the maximum psychoactive potential of your cannabis product. It's calculated using this formula: Total THC = THC + (THCA × 0.877). The 0.877 factor accounts for the weight lost when THCA converts to THC through heat (decarboxylation). For example, a flower with 0.5% THC and 22% THCA would have a Total THC of approximately 19.8%. A product with 15-20% Total THC is considered moderate strength, while 25%+ is very potent.

THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is the raw, non-psychoactive form of THC found in fresh, unheated cannabis. It doesn't produce intoxicating effects on its own. When cannabis is heated through smoking, vaping, or cooking, THCA converts to THC through a process called decarboxylation — that's when it becomes psychoactive. Raw cannabis products (like fresh juice or unheated tinctures) contain mostly THCA. That's why COAs show both numbers: THCA tells you the potential THC after heating.

For new cannabis patients, starting with lower THC products (10-15% Total THC) is recommended to assess your tolerance. Products with balanced THC:CBD ratios (like 1:1) are often preferred by beginners because CBD can moderate THC's psychoactive effects. High-THC products (25%+) are best reserved for patients with established tolerance. Always start with a low dose ("start low, go slow") and wait to feel the full effects before consuming more.

Total CBD represents the total cannabidiol content in your product, calculated similarly to Total THC: Total CBD = CBD + (CBDA × 0.877). CBD is non-intoxicating and is often used for anxiety, pain, inflammation, and sleep. Products high in CBD with low THC (like 20:1 CBD:THC ratios) won't produce a "high" but may offer therapeutic benefits. The THC:CBD ratio on your COA helps predict the overall experience.

Terpenes are aromatic compounds that give cannabis (and other plants) their distinctive smells and flavors. More importantly, research suggests terpenes may influence how cannabis affects you — a concept called the "entourage effect." For example, myrcene (earthy, musky) is associated with relaxation, limonene (citrus) may be uplifting and mood-enhancing, and linalool (floral, lavender) is thought to be calming. By noting which terpene profiles work best for your symptoms, you can make more informed product choices.

Myrcene is the most abundant terpene in cannabis, found in approximately 40% of strains. It has an earthy, musky, herbal aroma (also found in mangoes, hops, and lemongrass) and is associated with relaxing, sedating effects. Strains high in myrcene (typically above 0.5%) are often recommended for evening use, pain relief, and sleep. Other common terpenes include limonene, caryophyllene, pinene, and linalool.

Terpene profiles on COAs are typically shown as percentages. Here's how to interpret them: Dominant terpenes (above 1%) are the primary drivers of aroma and may significantly influence effects. Primary terpenes (0.5-1%) make noticeable contributions. Secondary terpenes (0.1-0.5%) play supporting roles. Trace terpenes (below 0.1%) have minimal impact. The total terpene percentage is also important — products with 2-4% total terpenes typically have more pronounced aromas and potentially more nuanced effects.

A comprehensive COA includes several safety tests: (1) Pesticide screening — tests for dozens of harmful pesticides and growth regulators, (2) Heavy metals — checks for lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, (3) Microbial testing — screens for mold, yeast, bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, (4) Residual solvents — for extracts, tests for leftover chemicals from extraction, (5) Mycotoxins — tests for toxic compounds produced by certain molds, (6) Foreign matter — visual inspection for contaminants. All tests should show "Pass" for a product to be sold legally.

If a cannabis product fails any safety test, it cannot legally be sold at licensed dispensaries. Failed products must be either destroyed or, in some cases, remediated (re-processed to remove contaminants) and re-tested. If you ever see a COA showing "Fail" on any safety test, do not consume that product and report it to the dispensary and your state's cannabis regulatory agency. This is why buying from licensed dispensaries with verified COAs is essential for patient safety.

A legitimate COA should include: (1) The lab's name, address, and state license/accreditation number, (2) A unique sample ID or batch number that matches your product, (3) The date the sample was received and tested, (4) Detailed results for cannabinoids, terpenes, and all safety tests, (5) The lab director's signature or certification. Be cautious of COAs that lack lab credentials, have mismatched batch numbers, or show unusually perfect results. Our analyzer reads COAs from your product's official QR code to ensure authenticity.

Yes, our COA analyzer is completely free with no signup, account creation, or payment required. We built this tool to help cannabis patients make informed decisions about their products. There are no hidden fees, premium features, or paywalls — all functionality is available to everyone.

Yes, your privacy is our priority. When you upload a COA image, it is processed in real-time by our AI and the results are displayed immediately. We do not store your uploaded images on our servers, do not keep records of your COA results, and do not share any data with third parties. The analysis happens in your browser session and is not logged or saved.

Our COA analyzer accepts common image formats including JPG/JPEG, PNG, and WebP. For best results, upload a clear, well-lit screenshot or photo of your COA. Make sure all the text is legible and the entire results section is visible in the image. If you're taking a photo of a printed COA, avoid glare and shadows.

If the analyzer has trouble reading your COA, try these tips: (1) Ensure the image is clear and not blurry, (2) Make sure all text is legible — zoom in if needed when taking a screenshot, (3) Avoid images with glare, shadows, or poor lighting, (4) Include the full results section (cannabinoids, terpenes, safety tests), (5) Try a higher resolution image. Some COA formats from certain labs may have unusual layouts that are harder to parse — we're continuously improving our analyzer to support more formats.