What A COA Is
A Certificate of Analysis is a lab-issued document that reports the cannabinoid percentages, terpene profile, and safety testing results for a specific batch of cannabis product. The COA covers a defined batch (typically the harvest or processing run from which your package was filled). The batch number on the COA matches the batch number on the package label.
New York State requires every adult-use cannabis product to be tested by an independent state-certified laboratory before it can be sold. The test categories include cannabinoid potency, terpene profile, residual pesticides, heavy metals, microbial contamination, mycotoxins, residual solvents (for concentrates), and water activity (for moisture-sensitive products).
How To Access The COA
Look for the QR code printed on the product package. Scan with a phone camera. The QR link opens the lab-hosted PDF of the Certificate of Analysis for that specific batch. The COA loads in the phone browser without requiring a login or app.
Some products also include the COA via the brand website. Look for a batch number lookup field on the producer's site that lets you input the package batch number and pull the matching COA.
Cannabinoid Section
The cannabinoid section is the first thing most customers want to read. It lists the percentage and per-package milligram count for each detected cannabinoid.
Total THC. The total tetrahydrocannabinol content. NYS labels typically combine THC and THCa (the acid precursor that converts to THC when heated). For flower, this number is the headline potency. For edibles, the per-piece milligram count is the relevant number.
Total CBD. The total cannabidiol content. NYS labels combine CBD and CBDa similarly.
Minor cannabinoids. CBG, CBN, CBC, THCV at lower percentages. These contribute to the full cannabinoid profile and shape the experience.
Total cannabinoids. Sum of all detected cannabinoids. For flower, the difference between total THC and total cannabinoids tells you how much non-THC cannabinoid content the cultivar carries.
Terpene Section
The terpene section lists the volatile aromatic compounds in the product. NYS labs report terpene content as percentage by weight.
Common terpenes in cannabis flower include myrcene (sedative, found in indica-leaning cultivars), limonene (uplifting, citrus aroma), caryophyllene (peppery, anti-inflammatory), pinene (alert focus, pine aroma), and linalool (calming, lavender aroma).
Total terpene content varies widely. Premium craft flower may show 2 to 4 percent total terpenes. Mass-market flower may show under 1 percent. Higher terpene density correlates with stronger aromatic experience and is one of the markers of premium cultivation and curing.
Safety Testing Sections
The safety sections are the most important parts of the COA for customer protection. NYS-certified labs run multiple screens:
Pesticides. A standardized list of pesticides at low parts-per-million detection thresholds. The result column should read "Pass" for every entry. Any "Fail" means the batch should not be on the market.
Heavy metals. Lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury at low parts-per-billion thresholds. Cannabis can accumulate heavy metals from soil. The screen confirms levels are below the NYS action limit.
Microbial. Yeast, mold, aerobic bacteria, coliform, E. coli, salmonella. Standards vary by product type. Cannabis flower has tighter limits than processed extracts.
Mycotoxins. Aflatoxins and ochratoxin produced by mold. Tested at low parts-per-billion thresholds.
Residual solvents. For concentrates produced with hydrocarbon (butane, propane) extraction, residual solvent testing confirms the post-extraction purge reduced solvent below NYS action levels.
Water activity / moisture. For flower, the water activity reading indicates whether the product is stable against mold during storage. Levels above 0.65 aw can support mold growth.
Every category should read "Pass." A "Fail" in any category means the batch failed NYS compliance and should not appear on a dispensary shelf.
Batch Information
The COA header lists key identifying data. Match these against your product label.
Batch number / Lot number. Unique identifier for the harvest or processing run. Must match your package.
Sample date. When the lab received the sample.
Issue date. When the COA was finalized.
Product type. Flower, concentrate, edible, tincture, etc.
Producer / Cultivator. The NYS licensed entity that produced the batch.
Lab name. The NYS-certified testing laboratory.
Red Flags To Watch For
If any of these appear, do not purchase the product or return it to the dispensary.
The QR code does not load a COA. The COA batch number does not match the product package. The COA is missing safety sections (pesticides, heavy metals, microbial). Any safety category shows "Fail." The COA is older than the producer's typical sales window (most NYS COAs should be within 12 months of sample date for flower).
FAQs
What does THCa mean on a COA?
Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, the precursor to THC. Raw cannabis flower contains primarily THCa rather than THC. Heating (smoking, vaping, baking) converts THCa to THC. NYS COAs typically list both and a calculated total THC (THC + 0.877 x THCa).
Is higher THC always better?
No. THC percentage is one factor. Terpene profile, cannabinoid balance, and personal tolerance also shape the experience. Many connoisseurs prefer 18 to 24 percent THC flower with rich terpene profiles over 28+ percent THC flower with thin terpene profiles.
Why do edible COAs show milligrams per piece?
Edibles are dosed precisely per piece. NYS regulation caps a single edible serving at 10 mg THC. The per-piece milligram is the relevant dose.
What happens if a batch fails testing?
The producer cannot sell the batch. NYS rules require destruction, remediation (where permitted), or further testing. Failed batches do not reach dispensary shelves.
Where do I find the QR code?
On the side or bottom of the product package. Some brands include the QR on the inner flap or under the cap.
Why do COAs sometimes list percentages and milligrams differently?
Flower COAs use percentages because the dose depends on how much flower is consumed. Edibles use milligrams because the dose is per piece. Concentrates use both. Tinctures use milligrams per milliliter because the dose depends on volume measured.
The Alchemy Editors
Field notes from the counter at Chelsea + Flatiron.
Written by our procurement and budtender team. Every claim verified against NYS OCM regulations and current shelf inventory. Updated as the menu rotates.
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