TESTING Pre-HARVEST
YES, EVEN BEFORE PLANTING
ACS is Florida’s largest DEA licensed laboratory and designated by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to provide sample collection and testing services.
Potency of cannabinoids
ACS tests seedlings for THC potency as well as the presence of 16 other cannabinoids including CBD, CBG and CBT.
safety & Contamination
Before planting, we test soil to be sure it’s free of harmful toxins. We also check for contamination on indoor surfaces and in the water you use throughout harvest.
Growth
Potential Analysis
We conduct tests before planting to make sure your soil is full of the nutrients it needs. We’ll identify issues right away so you can ensure a healthy harvest.
POTENCY DETECTION
To comply with legal requirements, you must select seeds from AOSCA certified suppliers with low THC genetics. However, your harvested flower won’t always match the seed’s expected genetic profile. This can lead to accidentally growing hot hemp.
That’s why ACS tests seedlings to estimate the THC potency; as well as for potency of up to 16 other cannabinoids. Through vegetative potency tests, we can analyze plants early in their life cycles to help enable rapid, high quality development.
WHAT WE TEST FOR
HOW ACCURATE ARE THE RESULTS?
Seedling potency tests provide the expected cannabinoid ratio, which verifies whether or not the seed’s genetics are performing as planned. The results are directionally accurate, and extraordinarily helpful for R+D purposes. However, uncontrollable environmental conditions may cause the final cannabinoid content to be slightly different from the results.
SAFETY TESTING
Soil
As hemp plants grow, they can draw in elements from the soil, which can contain heavy metals and other chemical agents. If left unchecked, these plants will grow to become contaminated hemp flower, oils or isolates. This is not a risk you want to take. You want to provide a high-quality hemp or cannabis product that is clean, safe, and delivers results. That’s why it’s so important to test your soil prior to harvest. Previously organic land could have metals in the soil.
Water
Along with soil, the water you use to produce plant food and throughout harvest is your crop’s life blood. If the water is contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides, or mold for instance, your crop may also become compromised. When water is contaminated, it changes the growing conditions and can accidentally harm or kill an entire plot.
Room & Surfaces
If you are growing indoors or in a greenhouse, you want to be sure that the surfaces in the facility are 100% clean. That means testing for microbial contamination such as mold, mildew, bacteria and salmonella. At ACS, we conduct thorough swab tests of every surface to verify that your building is safe for growth.
CONTAMINANT TESTS INCLUDE
Am I required by law to test for all of the above contaminants?
Pre-harvest tests are not legally mandated however, they are vital to mitigate potentially devastating issues early in the growth cycle . At ACS, we recommend all hemp and cannabis growers consider testing their soil, water, and any surfaces they may be using to grow or process crops.
We also have this article available for more information on when to test hemp.
Growth Potential Analysis
At ACS, we empower growers with the information they need to ensure healthy growth and development.
MICRONUTRIENT TESTS INCLUDE
- pH Level
- Conductivity
- Micronutrients
- Bicarbonate Level
ACS ADVANCED TESTING SERVICES
ACS Laboratory is a leading provider of hemp and cannabis testing from the pre-planting phase to post harvest and production. Along with verified results from our lab, customers receive the print and digital Certificate of Analysis (COA) with QR code as proof that the results are final and accurate.
WHY TEST WITH ACS LABORATORY?
- We provide accurate, consistent results.
- Our scientists continuously enhance and develop methods, procedures and protocols.
- Our Tampa facility is open and transparent to visitors.
- In 2019, we won more Emerald Test Awards than any other laboratory in the eastern USA and ranked top 5% in the country.
