The science behind every result.

Every pesticide the state currently requires, on two triple quadrupole mass spectrometers: liquid chromatography for most compounds and gas chromatography for those suited to it. Each compound is confirmed by its own ion transitions and retention time, and quantified using isotope-labeled internal standards.

Arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. Each sample is digested with acid in sealed vessels in a microwave system, then measured at trace levels by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Each metal has its own state action level.

Solvents and processing chemicals that can remain after extraction and processing, such as butane, propane, ethanol, hexane and benzene. The sample is dissolved and sealed in a vial, only the vapor above it is injected, and each compound is held to the state's limit for that compound and product type.

Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 and ochratoxin A, toxins produced by certain molds. Each is measured by LC-MS/MS and confirmed by its own ion transitions, and the four aflatoxins are judged together as a total.

Four Aspergillus species (A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger and A. terreus), Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. After an enrichment step on a 1-gram portion, real-time PCR detects DNA targets specific to each organism. The Aspergillus limits apply to inhalable products.

The terpene profile behind aroma and flavor: the major and most common terpenes, including beta-myrcene, D-limonene, beta-caryophyllene, alpha-humulene, linalool, alpha- and beta-pinene, terpinolene, ocimene, nerolidol and guaiol, among others. An extract is sealed in a vial and heated, only the vapor above it is injected, and each terpene is identified by its ions and retention time and measured against an internal standard.

The major potency compounds in both their acid and neutral forms, measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection. For dried flower and non-infused pre-rolls we run the method the state requires, verified in our lab before first use; for other products, our own validated method.

Moisture content is the percentage of water in a sample by weight, determined by loss on drying. Water activity shows how much of that water is free for mold and microbes to use. The state sets a water activity limit for dried flower, including pre-rolls, and for solid edibles.

Every compliance sample is inspected as received, before any of it is homogenized or sub-sampled, for hair, insect fragments, sand, soil, mold and other foreign matter. Dried flower is examined inside and out; other products are examined on every outer surface.