Lab Testing and COAs
Every product on our shelves comes from licensed California growers and makers, and it is tested by a state licensed independent laboratory before it reaches you. Here is what that means and how to read the results.
Lab testing is the check that stands between a cannabis product and the shelf. In California, every cannabis product sold at a licensed dispensary must be tested by a state licensed independent laboratory before it can be offered for sale. The lab measures the cannabinoids, so you know what is actually in the package, and screens for contaminants, so you know what is not. When a batch passes, the lab issues a Certificate of Analysis, usually shortened to COA, that documents the results.
From The Earth operates licensed California dispensaries in Santa Ana (License C10-0001595-LIC) and Port Hueneme (License C10-0000030-LIC). We do not run the lab ourselves. That is the point: the testing is done by an independent, state licensed laboratory, and we stock the products that pass. Reading a COA is a simple way to shop with confidence, whether you are picking up a jar of flower, a cartridge, or a pack of gummies.
Find your store
Why lab testing matters
Two things make lab testing worth understanding. The first is safety. Cannabis is an agricultural product, and like any crop it can pick up things you would not want to consume, from pesticides used in cultivation to mold that forms in storage. Independent lab testing screens for those contaminants, and a batch cannot be sold in California until it passes. The second is consistency. The lab measures how much THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids are actually in the product, so the number on the label reflects a tested result rather than a guess. That helps you compare products and choose a strength that fits you.
Because the testing is handled by an independent, state licensed laboratory rather than by the grower or the store, the results carry weight. The lab has no stake in whether a batch passes. When you see a COA, you are looking at a third party check, which is exactly why it is a good habit to ask for one. At From The Earth, if you ever want to see the paperwork behind a product, a budtender can help you find it.
What gets tested
California requires licensed labs to test for potency and for a range of contaminants. Here are the main categories a COA covers.
Potency and cannabinoids
What is in it.
The lab measures THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids so the amounts on the label reflect a tested result. This is the potency information most shoppers check first.
Pesticides and residual solvents
From growing and extraction.
Screens for pesticide residues left from cultivation, plus residual solvents that can remain from making concentrates and vape oils. Both must fall within California limits to pass.
Heavy metals and microbial impurities
Purity checks.
Tests for heavy metals such as lead, and for microbial impurities like certain molds and bacteria. These purity checks are part of every compliant batch sold in California.
The specific compounds and the pass or fail limits are set by the California Department of Cannabis Control. Every product on our menu is sold only after it clears these state required tests.
How to read a COA
A Certificate of Analysis packs a lot onto one page. These are the parts worth finding first.
Match the batch
Check that the batch or lot number on the COA matches the number on the product package. That is how you confirm the results belong to the item in your hand.
Read the potency
Find the cannabinoid section for the tested THC and CBD amounts. This is the measured potency behind the number on the label.
Look for the passes
Scan the contaminant sections, pesticides, solvents, heavy metals, and microbials, for a pass result. A compliant California product clears each required category.
Visit From The Earth
Have a question about a product or want to see a COA? Stop by, call, or shop online for pickup and same day delivery at either From The Earth dispensary.
Santa Ana
- Address3023 S Orange Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92707
- Hours7 AM to 10 PM daily
- Phone(657) 444-7336
- LicenseC10-0001595-LIC
Port Hueneme
- Address2675 N Ventura Rd, Ste 107, Port Hueneme, CA 93041
- Hours8 AM to 10 PM daily
- Phone(805) 414-1394
- LicenseC10-0000030-LIC
Frequently asked questions
Is all cannabis at From The Earth lab tested?
What is a COA?
What does a lab test for?
Who does the testing?
Where can I see test results?
What does the THC percentage on the label mean?
Explore From The Earth: our Santa Ana dispensary and Port Hueneme dispensary.
Shop tested cannabis at From The Earth
Browse the live menu and reserve for pickup, or get same day delivery.
