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Analysis of consumer cannabis

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Your experts for comprehensive consumer cannabis analysis

July 2024. With the publication of the Cannabis Act in Germany, new requirements were issued for cannabis products from cannabis social clubs. In addition to the declaration of the average tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) content, it is now mandatory to test the products for pesticides, mycotoxins, heavy metals and microorganisms. Our experts at the Eurofins Food & Feed Testing laboratories in Germany will be happy to support you in all questions related to cannabis analysis. Get in contact with us.

Hemp as a crop plant

Hemp (Cannabis sativa) is one of the oldest cultivated plants. Due to the presence of the so-called cannabinoids, its preparations have been used as medicines and narcotics since ancient times. Industrially, its fibres are also used in the production of textiles. The seeds of the hemp plant are practically free of cannabinoids and are used to produce edible oils and protein powders for food production. The leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, on the other hand, contain over 100 different cannabinoids as secondary phytometabolites. Of the psychoactive cannabinoids, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) is the most important component. Other cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD), are thought to have health-promoting effects.

Our analysis and service portfolio for cannabis for consumption

Eurofins is currently in the approval process to be designated as a laboratory for consumer cannabis analysis. As soon as the authorisation has been granted, you will have access to a comprehensive range of analytical tests for consumer cannabis to meet the requirements of the new legislation:

In addition to the analysis of Δ9-THC, Δ9-THC acid and their sum as well as the analysis of CBD, we also offer the analysis of a wide range of other cannabinoids:

  • Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC)
  • Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (Δ9-THCA)
  • Sum Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol
  • Cannabidiol (CBD)
  • Cannabichromene (CBC)
  • Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA)
  • Cannabidivarin (CBDV)
  • Cannabidivarinic acid (CBDVA)
  • Cannabigerol (CBG)
  • Cannabigerolic acid (CBG-A)
  • Cannabinol (CBN)
  • Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
  • Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC)

The analysis of pesticide residues is very important for cannabis products due to their use in cultivation. The monitoring of pesticide residues is an important measure to monitor good professional practice and to be prepared for future maximum residue limits.

Analyses for mycotoxins are also advisable. Mycotoxins can be formed by moulds, e.g. during growth in the field or by improper storage.

In addition, we also support you in analysing heavy metals in your consumer cannabis products. Contamination with heavy metals is generally influenced by the local environmental conditions and the flowering and growth promoters used. Since hemp is a plant that absorbs and accumulates heavy metals very well, this analysis should not be dispensed with, especially since inhalation increases the lung-damaging effect of many metals.

We also offer microbiological analyses to check compliance with future limit values.

Core analyses at a glance

Our range of analytical services as part of the quality assurance of consumer cannabis is almost complete. The most important key points are summarised below:

Special analytics

  • Contents of natural ingredients, e.g.
    • Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC)
    • Cannabidiol (CBD)
    • Cannabinoid profile

Residues and contaminants

  • Pesticides (also available for medicinal cannabis)
  • Heavy metals and elements (inorganic contaminants)
  • Mycotoxins

Microbiology and hygiene

  • Total bacterial count
  • Yeasts and mold
  • E. coli
  • Salmonella
  • Bacillus cereus
  • Clostridium perfringens

Migration residues from packaging

  • Phthalates
  • Bisphenols

In addition to the analysis of consumer cannabis, we also offer you the analysis of industrial hemp and derived products to check compliance with the maximum levels of the European Contaminants Regulation (EU) 2023/915. Please also read our article Analysis of THC, CBD and other cannabinoids in food.

In March 2024, the German Bundestag passed the Cannabis Act (CanG), which came into force in April 2024. With this law, the narcotic status for cannabis is no longer applicable in Germany and a distinction is only made between industrial hemp (THC content < 0.3 %), consumer cannabis and medicinal cannabis. Section 1 of the CanG also explains what is defined as cannabis. Synthetic THC continues to fall under the Narcotic Drugs Act (BtMG).

Questions about the analysis of consumer cannabis?

Do you have questions about the analysis of consumer cannabis? Contact your personal account manager or get in touch with our experts.

Eurofins Food Legislation News

The Eurofins Food Legislation News is published every two months and focuses on innovations in food law and interesting court rulings. Here you will also find, among other things, useful information and news on cannabis for consumption and foods containing hemp as well as a selected overview of important RASFF rapid alerts.