You pick up a new vape cart, scan the QR code, and a wall of numbers hits your screen. It looks like homework, not something that helps you relax.
A cannabis vape lab report does not have to be scary. With a few simple tricks, you can read a Certificate of Analysis (COA) well enough to spot safe products, understand strength, and catch big red flags in under a minute.
This guide walks through the main parts of a vape COA in plain language, with real examples you can use next time you shop.
What Is a Cannabis Vape Lab Report?
Photo by Jess Loiterton
A COA is a lab report from an independent testing lab. It shows what is in that vape, and just as important, what is not in it.
Most cannabis COAs cover:
- Product and batch details
- Potency (THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids)
- Sometimes terpenes
- Contaminants like solvents, heavy metals, and pesticides
If you want a deeper background on COAs in general, Leafwell has a clear guide on how to read a marijuana certificate of analysis.
For vaping, the safety sections matter a lot. You are heating oil and breathing it deep into your lungs, so you want clean results, not guesses.
Step One: Match the COA to the Cart
Before looking at numbers, make sure the report is actually for the product in your hand.
Check these items near the top of the COA:
- Brand name and product name
- Batch or lot number
- Package size or net weight
- Test date and lab name
On the vape box or cart:
- Find the batch or lot number, usually printed near the barcode.
- Confirm it matches the COA exactly, not just “close enough.”
If the batch number is missing, smudged, or totally different from the report, treat that as a warning sign. A good brand wants you to match each cart to its real lab test.
Potency: What THC Percentages Really Mean
Potency is usually the first table you see. It lists cannabinoids like THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, and often a “Total THC” or “Total Cannabinoids” line.
For vape carts, THC can look very high:
- 60% THC means 600 milligrams of THC per gram of oil
- 80% THC means 800 milligrams per gram
Both are strong. The jump from 60% to 80% is not a small step. Many people feel a big difference in how fast and how hard the effects hit.
A few quick rules of thumb:
- Check serving size. Some COAs show “mg per gram,” others “mg per unit” or “per puff” estimate.
- Total cannabinoids over 95% can be a yellow flag. It is hard to reach that without counting everything, and sometimes numbers get rounded in ways that look nicer than they are honest.
- No THC at all in a “THC vape” is a red flag. Either it is mislabeled or tested a different product.
For a friendly walk-through that stays non-technical, Herb’s guide on how to read a COA without a science degree pairs well with what you are learning here.
Terpenes and Minor Cannabinoids
Not every cannabis vape lab report includes terpenes, but if yours does, it is a good sign. Terpenes are the aroma compounds that shape flavor and can change how THC feels.
Common terpenes you may see:
- Myrcene (herbal, relaxing)
- Limonene (citrus, bright)
- Pinene (pine, clear-headed)
If a cart is sold as “strain-specific” but the terpene section is missing, it is harder to know if the oil really matches the strain story on the box.
Minor cannabinoids like CBN or CBG often show up in small amounts, maybe 1 to 5 percent. They are not a problem, and some people like them, but if you see a surprise spike (for example 20% CBN that was never mentioned), that is worth a question for the brand or dispensary.
Safety Testing: Residual Solvents, Metals, Pesticides, and More
This is the part that protects your lungs. A good COA has clear, recent results for each major safety panel.
Here is a simple way to read the safety side:
| Panel | What it checks for | What you want to see |
|---|---|---|
| Residual solvents | Leftover chemicals from extraction | “Pass” or mostly “ND” |
| Heavy metals | Lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury | “Pass” or all “ND” |
| Pesticides | Farm chemicals used on the plants | “Pass” with “ND” for most items |
| Microbials/mold | Mold, yeast, bacteria | “Pass” and “ND” or below limits |
| Mycotoxins | Toxins made by some molds | “Pass” and “ND” |
A few common terms in these sections:
- ND means “Not Detected,” the level is too low for the machine to pick up.
- LOQ or LOD means the lowest level the lab can measure. Results below that are usually treated as safe.
- Pass / Fail is shown next to each panel or at the top as a summary.
If you see a number that is above the allowed limit, the report should clearly say “Fail.” Any failed safety test is a big stop sign for that product.
For people who want a more medical-focused walk-through, CED Clinic offers a detailed patient guide to cannabis COAs.
Reading “ND” Versus Numbers: Simple Examples
The same word can feel scary or safe depending on context. Here are a few quick examples.
- Residual solvent example
- “Butane: ND” is what you want. It means no butane left from extraction.
- “Butane: 500 ppm” with a “Pass” note means the lab found a tiny amount but it is still below the legal limit.
- Pesticide example
- “Myclobutanil: ND” is ideal.
- “Myclobutanil: 0.3 ppm, Fail” means the product should not be on shelves.
If you dislike the idea of any detectable amount, even when it “passes,” that is personal choice. At least the COA lets you decide with clear data instead of guessing.
Red Flags in a Cannabis Vape Lab Report
Once you know the basics, spotting trouble gets much easier. Watch for these warning signs:
- No COA at all, or only a fuzzy photo on social media
- COA that lists flower or gummies, not vape oil
- Batch numbers that do not match the box or are missing
- Lab name or logo that does not exist when you search it
- Old test dates for a “new” batch
- Only potency is shown, no safety testing
- Safety panels with “Fail” that the brand tries to explain away
If something feels off, you can always choose a different product. There is plenty of clean, well-tested vape oil on the legal market.
Quick COA Checklist: How to Read a Vape Report at a Glance
Here is a simple checklist you can save for your next dispensary visit.
Fast COA reading checklist
- Confirm product name, brand, and batch number match your cart.
- Check the test date; newer is better than something from years ago.
- Look at Total THC and Total Cannabinoids to get a feel for strength.
- Remember: 60% THC is strong, 80% is very strong, dose with care.
- If listed, glance at terpenes to see if the profile matches the strain story.
- In each safety panel, look for “Pass” and lots of “ND” lines.
- Avoid products with any “Fail” result on solvents, metals, pesticides, mold, or mycotoxins.
- Walk away from brands that hide COAs, give only screenshots, or refuse to answer basic questions about testing.
A good cannabis vape lab report makes your choice easier, not harder. Once you know how to scan the key sections, you can pick carts that fit your comfort level on strength and safety, and you do not need a chemistry degree to do it.