Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to Commonly Asked Questions about Our Testing Services

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Which cannabis products does Digipath Labs test?

Digipath Labs tests cannabis flowers, cannabis extracts, and cannabis-infused products including capsules, concentrates, edibles, tinctures, salves, and topicals.

2. Which testing and screening services does Digipath Labs offer?

Digipath Labs offers a variety of testing services including visual foreign matter inspection, moisture content analysis, microbiological screening (bacteria, molds, and yeasts), mycotoxin screening, potency (cannabinoid and terpenoid profiling), residual solvent screening, heavy metals, and pesticide screening.

3. Does Digipath Labs screen for bacteria and other microorganisms?

Digipath Labs tests for the presence of pathogenic E. coli or Salmonella typhimurium, delivering results in hours.

4. Does Digipath Labs screen for cannabinoids?

Digipath Labs tests for and quantifies 10 individual cannabinoids:

  • CBGA
  • CBG
  • D9THC
  • D8THC
  • THCV
  • CBN
  • CBDA
  • CBD
  • CBDV
  • CBC

5. Does Digipath Labs screen for terpenoids?

Digipath Labs tests for and quantifies 13 individual terpenoids:

  • Alpha pinene
  • Beta caryophyllene
  • Borneol
  • Caryophyllene oxide
  • Cineol
  • Citronellol
  • Humulene
  • Limonene
  • Linalool
  • Myrcene
  • Nerolidol
  • Phytol
  • Terpinolene

6. Does Digipath Labs screen for solvents?

Patients are increasingly opting for potent cannabis concentrates such as butter, hash oil, shatter, and wax. To make these products, cannabinoids and terpenes are often isolated from the cannabis plant using a solvent-based extraction process. The solvents are then eliminated from the concentrate using such methods as heat or pressure. This removal process is critical, as all of these solvents pose health risks for patients.

Digipath Labs tests for a commonly used extraction solvents, including:

  • Acetone
  • Butane
  • Ethane
  • Ethanol
  • Hexane
  • Isobutene
  • Isopropanol
  • Methane
  • Methylbutane
  • Pentane
  • Propane

 

Please contact us if you have questions about this test.

7. Does Digipath Labs screen for pesticides?

Digipath Labs screens for hundreds of potentially harmful compounds contained in many insecticides, miticides, and fungicides that can cause health risks to patients. These include chemicals like bifenazate (the active ingredient in products like Floramite) and abamectin (the active ingredient in products like Avid), as well as natural and synthetic pyrethrins. Please contact us if you have questions about this test.

8. Does Digipath Labs screen for heavy metals?

Digipath Labs uses inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to test for the presence of heavy metals as stipulated by the State of Nevada: arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, at concentrations as low as one part per trillion. In addition to its ultra-sensitivity, ICP-MS equipment enables us to process samples and report results quickly.

9. Who can submit samples for testing?

Digipath Labs accepts samples from licensed dispensaries and cannabis growers, and product producers, as allowed by law. Please contact us to schedule a pickup or for more information about our sample intake process.

10. How do I submit samples for testing?

Courier and complimentary local pickup is available in Clark County. Please call us to coordinate.

To ensure accurate test results of your products, please exercise care when preparing your sample for our testing facility. All samples must be isolated from one another. Containers must only contain a single sample.

We recommended the following packaging:

Flower

Static bag

Concentrates

Snap cap or small jewel case

Edibles

Retail package, bag, vial, or other securely sealed container. Butter and oil samples must be 2 g.

11. How much cannabis is required for testing?

The amount of the sample varies with the number and types of tests being conducted. The following service matrix indicates the amount of product we need to conduct testing.

ServiceTesting IncludesIntervalSample Size
DigiPath Labs48 hrsFlower
Comprehensive Quality Assurance Test for Usable MarijuanaVisual inspection12 g
Includes DigiPath Labs Certification SealsCannabinoid profile
Terpenoid profile
Pesticide screen
Mycotoxin screen
Microbiological screen
Heavy metal screen
Moisture Analysis
DigiPath Labs48 hrsExtract
Quality Assurance Test for Nonsolvent Extracted MarijuanaCannabinoid profile7 g
Terpenoid profile
Microbial screen
DigiPath Labs48 hrsExtract
Quality Assurance Test forCannabinoid profile2 g
CO2 Solvent Extracted MarijuanaTerpenoid profile
Microbial screen
DigiPath Labs48 hrsExtract
Quality Assurance Test forCannabinoid profile2 g
Solvent Extracted MarijuanaTerpenoid profile
Residual solvent
Using n-butane, isobutene, propane, heptane, or other approved solvents or gases of 99% purityMicrobial screen*
*Only if using marijuana that failed an initial microbial test for flowers
DigiPath Labs48 hrsExtract
Quality Assurance Test forCannabinoid profile2 g
Ethanol Extracted MarijuanaTerpenoid profile
Microbial screen*
*Only if using marijuana that failed an initial microbial test for flowers
DigiPath Labs48 hrsExtract
Quality Assurance Test forCannabinoid profile20 g
Glycerin or Propylene Glycol Extracted MarijuanaTerpenoid profile
Microbial screen*
*Only if using marijuana that failed an initial microbial test for flowers
DigiPath Labs48 hrs1 unit
Quality Assurance Test for Edible or Liquid Marijuana-Infused ProductCannabinoid profile
Terpenoid profile
Microbial screen*
*Only if using marijuana that failed an initial microbial test for flowers
DigiPath Labs48 hrs1 unit
Quality Assurance Test forCannabinoid profile
Topical Marijuana-Infused ProductTerpenoid profile
DigiPath Labs48 hrsFlower
Cannabinoid and Terpenoid Profile by UPLC Analysis17 cannabinoids2 g
CBC, CBCA, CBD, CBDA, CBDV, CBDVA,CBG, CBGA, CBLA, CBN, CBNA, D8THC, D9THC, THCA, THCAC4, THCV, and THCVA
13 terpenoidsExtract
Alpha-pinene, beta-caryophyllene, borneol, caryophyllene oxide, cineol, citronellol, humulene, limonene, linalool, myrcene, nerolidol, phytol, and terpinolene2 g

12. Which types of tests does Digipath Labs perform?

Digipath Labs uses pharmaceutical-grade analytical instrumentation to perform the following tests.

Test
Cannabinoid Profile
Terpene Profile
Moisture Analysis
Microbial Rapid Screen for E.coli and Salmonella
Microbial enumeration
Mycotoxin Screen
Residual Pesticides
Residual Solvents
Heavy Metals
Cannabinoid Profile

13. How do I know whether or not my sample is safe for consumption?

Though our laboratory screens for many contaminants, we cannot certify a sample is free of all contaminants. We certify that the samples pass our screening procedures for those contaminants for which we test. Please note that there could be other unsafe aspects, such as allergens, for which we do not test; therefore, we cannot guarantee complete safety.

14. I have never used cannabis before. What are the safe and recommended dosages?

Digipath Labs does not offer dosing recommendations for any product. Instead, we provide analytical testing, quality assurance screening, consultation, and research services. Please discuss dosages with your doctor or qualified healthcare professional.