Over the years cannabis testing and packaging labels have come a long way! Depending on what state you're in, the cultivators put their finished product through various tests before the product goes to the consumer. Some of these tests include heavy metals, pesticides, residual solvents and of course cannabinoids and terpenes.
Let's take a minute and look at some of the more common things you may see on your cannabis packaging. Again testing may vary depending on what state you're in, today I’ll reference a package of flower we got in Massachusetts.
THCA: Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. THCA is not intoxicating if ingested. When THCA is exposed to heat, such as when smoking, vaping, dabbing, or cooking, it will convert into the intoxicating, beloved cannabinoid THC.
Δ9-THC: Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a cannabinoid found in cannabis. The psychoactive effects of cannabis are mainly due to THC. The most abundant form of THC is delta-9, which has an intoxicating effect. In other words, delta-9 is what makes you feel high.
CBDA: CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) is one of many compounds produced by cannabis and hemp. Abundant in the live plants of CBD varieties, it converts to CBD (cannabidiol) over time and when exposed to heat.
CBD: CBD is a chemical found in marijuana. CBD doesn't contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana that produces a high. The usual CBD formulation is oil, but CBD is also sold as an extract, a vaporized liquid and an oil-based capsule and even found in some food, drinks and beauty products.
THCV: THCV, or tetrahydrocannabivarin, is a compound in cannabis that offers a unique array of effects and medical benefits that sets it apart from other cannabinoids. As its name suggests, THCV is similar to THC in molecular structure and psychoactive properties, but it provides a variety of pronounced and altogether different effects. It is most known for being an appetite suppressant.
CBDV: CBDV, or cannabidivarin is structurally similar to CBD. CBDV is not intoxicating when isolated, so it won’t cause the euphoric high associated with high-THC cannabis.
CBG: CBG is derived from young cannabis plants, which contain higher amounts of CBG than fully developed plants. Both CBD and THC start as CBGA, an acidic form of CBG. This is why younger cannabis plants contain higher concentrations of CBG.
CBN: Cannabinol (CBN) is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis sativa plant. It can also be produced synthetically. CBN forms when THC degrades due to exposure to heat, air and/or light.