Boulder, CO: Botanical cannabis products sold in Colorado frequently contain lesser amounts of THC than what is advertised on the products’ labels, according to data published in the journal Nature: Scientific Reports.
Investigators affiliated with the University of Colorado at Boulder purchased 281 cannabis products, including loose flower, pre-rolls, and concentrates, from state-licensed dispensaries. All products were independently lab-tested for THC and CBD potency.
Consistent with prior studies, THC potency was over-labeled in a significant percentage of the herbal cannabis products. By contrast, most (96 percent) concentrates were accurately labeled.
The study’s authors concluded: “This study found THC potency labeling to be accurate within ± 15 percent for almost all tested cannabis concentrate products, whereas flower products more frequently did not meet this accuracy threshold. Both product types reported higher THC potency values on the label than what was observed. Continued investigation into labeling inaccuracies and more consistent, rigorous testing moving forward is indicated, particularly for flower products, across various legal cannabis markets.”
Full text of the study, “Accuracy of labelled THC potency across flower and concentrate cannabis products,” appears in Nature: Scientific Reports.