One of the biggest arguments in favor of cannabis legalization is the promise of safe, reliable weed. When states pass reform, they typically stipulate that any licensed products undergo lab testing. The tests usually reveal the product’s THC potency and confirm it is free from pesticides or other hazardous contaminants. However, the potency piece has become a thorn in the industry’s side—and a new study suggests consumers may want to take the results with a grain of salt.
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Researchers at the University of Boulder purchased 277 commercially available cannabis products, including flower, pre-rolls, and concentrates. The team then tested the weed and found 44 percent of the flower products were inaccurately labeled for their potency. Most of the inaccurate flower had lower concentrations of THC than advertised, but a few samples were more potent.
“These products were frequently over-labeled, so that the value that was on their label was often higher than what was actually in the product,” researcher Greg Giordano told Denver7 news.
By contrast, nearly all of the concentrate products were found to have accurate potency labels.
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Potency inflation is a hot topic in the cannabis community. Some point fingers at the labs, which have been accused of boosting numbers to appease clients. Others argue that THC levels in flower degrade over time, and it’s only natural for potency numbers to go down depending on how long the flower has been on the shelf, as well as environmental conditions.
Cannabis consumers expect that the products they purchase are consistent. Potency labels should inform them of what to expect in terms of potential effects. However, given the unique nature of the plant, the perceived issues with many labs in the space, and the fact that every person reacts differently to cannabis, consumers will need to tread lightly. Therefore, it’s always best to start low and go slow with any weed product to know how it really affects you.
