A COA (Certificate of Analysis) is the lab report showing exactly what a hemp product contains. The key part is the cannabinoid panel: which cannabinoids were detected and at what concentration (% of weight). Here is how to read it — using Helsama''s own analysis as an example.
What is a COA?
A COA is the result from an independent laboratory that has measured a product''s cannabinoid content, usually using HPLC. It is the difference between a vendor claiming "third-party tested" and actually being able to show the numbers.
How do you read the cannabinoid panel?
Each row is a cannabinoid with a measured concentration in % w/w (weight percent). Here is Helsama''s panel (sample ID 2450024, HPLC):
| Cannabinoid | Content (% w/w) | Uncertainty |
|---|---|---|
| CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) | 8.83 | ±0.44 |
| Δ⁹-THCA | 0.249 | ±0.042 |
| CBD | 0.282 | ±0.042 |
| CBGA | 0.154 | ±0.038 |
| CBG | 0.031 | ±0.009 |
| Δ⁹-THC | 0.031 | ±0.007 |
| CBDV, THCV, CBN, Δ⁸-THC, etc. | < LOQ | — |
What do % w/w, LOQ and measurement uncertainty mean?
- % w/w = share of the sample''s weight. 8.83% CBDA means 8.83 grams of CBDA per 100 grams.
- < LOQ = below the limit of quantification (here 0.03%) — present in too low an amount to be measured precisely.
- Measurement uncertainty (±) = the lab''s margin of error. CBDA 8.83 ±0.44 means the true value lies between ~8.4 and ~9.3%.
How are total THC and total CBD calculated?
The acidic forms (THCA, CBDA) convert to their neutral forms (THC, CBD) when heated, losing carbon dioxide — so they are multiplied by 0.877:
- Total THC = Δ⁹-THC + (0.877 × THCA) = 0.031 + 0.877 × 0.249 ≈ 0.25% → below the 0.3% limit for industrial hemp.
- Total CBD = CBD + (0.877 × CBDA) = 0.282 + 0.877 × 8.83 ≈ 8.0%.
What should you look for in a COA?
- That it comes from an independent lab (not the manufacturer itself).
- That the sample matches the product (batch/sample ID).
- That total THC is below the legal limit.
- That the numbers are actually visible — not just "available on request".
FAQ
What is a COA?
An independent lab report (usually HPLC) showing a hemp product''s cannabinoid content by weight.
What does < LOQ mean on a COA?
That the substance is below the lab''s limit of quantification (here 0.03%) and cannot be measured precisely.
How is total THC calculated?
Δ⁹-THC + 0.877 × THCA. For Helsama''s panel that comes to ≈ 0.25%, below the 0.3% limit.
Sources
- Helsama lab analysis, sample ID 2450024 (HPLC, cannabinoid panel)
- PubChem: CBDA (CID 160570), CBD (CID 644019)
- EU regulation on industrial hemp (THC limit)