Build a trusted brand
Safeguarding your brand reputation starts with lab testing. That’s why the top cannabis brands invest in testing during the R&D and production phases, ensuring that their products meet and exceed industry standards and quality assurance requirements.
The SC Labs difference
Integrated Technology Platform
Why struggle with calls and emails? SC Labs developed a robust Client Service Portal (CSP) to keep you up to date in real-time.
Streamlined Processes
We’re committed to providing same-day scheduling, 3-day standard turnaround, with 1- and 2-day rush options available on most tests.
Expansive Courier Network
No need to wait until you have a compliance batch to sample. Our team will pick up your R&D or QA/QC samples independent of compliance samples.
Technical Service & Support
When your results aren’t as expected, our team can help with proactive data review, remediation strategy review, and root cause analysis. You’ll have actionable information to resolve a variety of possible issues.
Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) and R&D Testing
Many reputable cannabis producers conduct R&D testing during the product development process to ensure a quality product goes into production.
These tests are not reported to the State, and your product will not be disqualified if they don’t meet the required standards. However, they will give you valuable information to perfect your product before you submit it for compliance testing.
R&D testing is a self-performed process and does not require lab staff to complete sampling. There are several a la carte test options, too, so you can focus on the tests that matter most.
Courier/Sampler Network
We offer a vast courier network spanning across Arizona, California, Colorado, Michigan, and Oregon. We’ll work with you to find an efficient and cost-effective sampling solution.
If you’re sending in compliance samples with your R&D or QA/QC samples, please schedule a lab sampler/courier.
In California, we accept samples via certain third-party couriers from unlicensed and personal-use clients. Your account representative will help you find the most efficient method of getting your samples to the lab.
To ensure your data is as accurate and reliable as possible, SC Labs has sample size requirements for each test conducted on each product type. These requirements may vary from laboratory to laboratory and your product type, so be sure to speak with your account manager to ensure successful sample submission.
Arizona Cannabis R&D Testing
| Test Type | Min Sample Size |
|---|---|
| Potency / Residual Solvents / Terpenes (Plant) | 2 g |
| Potency / Residual Solvents / Terpenes (Concentrates) | 1 g |
| Potency / Residual Solvents / Terpenes (Tinctures / Edible Oils) | 5 mL |
| Potency / Residual Solvents / Terpenes (Solid Fats) | 1 g |
| Potency / Residual Solvents / Terpenes (Capsules) | 1 g |
| Potency / Residual Solvents / Terpenes (Capsules) | 3 g or 3 units* |
| Potency / Residual Solvents / Terpenes (Gummies) | 6 g or 2 units* |
| Potency / Residual Solvents / Terpenes (Baked Goods) | 10 g or 1 unit* |
| Potency / Residual Solvents / Terpenes (Beverages) | 30 mL or 1 units* |
| Pesticides (Plant) | 2 g |
| Pesticides (Concentrates) | 1 g |
| Microbial (Plant or other products) | 4 g |
| Microbial (Concentrates) | 4 g |
| Microbial (Mycotoxins) | 2 g |
| Heavy Metals (Plant) | 2 g |
| Heavy Metals (Concentrates) | 2 g |
| Heavy Metals (Tinctures) | 5 mL |
| Heavy Metals (Edibles) | 5 g or 1 unit* |
| Heavy Metals (Beverages) | 5 mL |
| Moisture Content (Plant) | 3 g |
* Whichever has a greater weight
California Cannabis R&D Testing
| Individual Test | Min Weight (Solid) | Min Volume (Liquid) |
|---|---|---|
| Cannabinoids and/or Terpenoids (Infused) | 10 g | 10 mL |
| Cannabinoids and/or Terpenoids (Concentrate)* | 1 g | - |
| Cannabinoids and/or Terpenoids (Flower / Fresh Leaf) | 5 g | - |
| Cannabinoids (Pure Terpenes / Essential Oils) | 3 g | - |
| Trace THC (Infused) | 10 g | 10 mL |
| Trace THC (Concentrate)* | 5 g | - |
| Trace THC (Flower / Fresh Leaf) | 5 g | - |
| Trace THC (Pure Terpenes / Essential Oils) | 5 g | - |
| Terpenoids (Pure Terpenes / Essential Oils) | 1 g | - |
| Pesticides | Comprehensive Test Panel - National Hemp* | 2 g | 3 mL |
| Pesticides | Standard Test Panel - California* | 2 g | 3 mL |
| Pesticides | Basic Test Panel* | 2 g | 3 mL |
| Pesticides | Micro Extraction Add-on (Flower / Trim) | 10 g | - |
| Mycotoxins* | 2 g | 3 mL |
| Residual Solvents | Comprehensive Test Panel - National Hemp* | 1 g | 2 mL |
| Residual Solvents | Standard Test Panel - California* | 1 g | 2 mL |
| Heavy Metals* | 2 g | - |
| Expanded Metals & Trace Elements Panel - 14 analytes | 2 g | - |
| Microbiology (Any individual test)* | 2 g | - |
| Microbiology | Comprehensive Test Panel - National Hemp | 8 g | - |
| Microbiology | Expanded Test Panel | 6 g | - |
| Microbiology | Standard Test Panel | 6 g | - |
| Microbiology | 6-Organism Test Panel (Inhalable)* | 2 g | - |
| Microbiology | 2-Organism Test Panel (Non-Inhalable) | 2 g | - |
| Water Activity | 2 g | - |
| Moisture Content | 4 g | - |
| Vitamin E (Concentrate)* | 1 g | - |
* CARTRIDGES: Due to difficulty removing the sample from a cartridge, we recommend submitting double the amounts typically required for a concentrate.
Colorado Cannabis R&D Testing
| Test Type | Min Sample Size |
|---|---|
| Potency | 1 g |
| Homogeneity | 4 servings with label claims |
| Terpenes | 1 g |
| Residual Solvents (RSA) | 1 g |
| Microbial Contamination | 3 g |
| Pesticides | 2 grams (enough to perform 3 tests) |
| Mycotoxins | 1 g |
| Heavy Metals | 1 g |
| Water Activity (for flower) | 1 g |
| pH | 1 unit or no less than 20 mL |
| aW | 1 unit or no less than 2 g |
| Density | 20 mL or 20 g |
Michigan Cannabis R&D Testing
| Test Type | Min Weight/Amount (Solid) | Min Volume (Liquid) |
|---|---|---|
| Cannabinoid Potency | 2 g | 2 mL |
| Residual Solvent Analysis (Solvent-based concentrates and edibles ONLY) | 1 g | 2 mL |
| Pesticide Analysis | 2 g | 3 mL |
| Microbial Screen (Flower, non-solvent based concentrates, and edibles ONLY) | 6 g | - |
| Water Activity (Flower and edibles ONLY) | 2 g | - |
| Foreign Matter Inspection (Flower, non-solvent based concentrates, and edibles ONLY) | 3 g | 3 mL |
| Terpene Analysis | 1 g | 2 mL |
| Vitamin E Acetate (Cartridges ONLY) | 1 g | 2 mL |
| Heavy Metal Screen | 2 g | 3 mL |
| Flower Compliance Package | 14 g | - |
| Concentrate QA Package - Non Solvent-Based | 14 g | 20 mL |
| Concentrate QA Package - CO2-Based | 7 g | 10 mL |
| Edible/Infused Products QA Package | 1 package* | - |
| Inhalable Compound Concentrate Products QA Package | 14 g** | - |
* Package must have a clearly defined “goal” serving size/dosage
** 14 g or equivalent number of units
Oregon Cannabis R&D Testing
| Test Type | Min Weight (Solid) | Min Volume (Liquid) |
|---|---|---|
| Cannabinoids and/or Terpenoids (Infused) | 10 g | 10 mL |
| Cannabinoids and/or Terpenoids (Concentrate)* | 1 g | - |
| Cannabinoids and/or Terpenoids (Flower / Fresh Leaf) | 5 g | - |
| Cannabinoids (Pure Terpenes / Essential Oils) | 3 g | - |
| Terpenoids (Pure Terpenes / Essential Oils) | 1 g | - |
| Pesticides | Standard Test Panel - Oregon* | 2 g | 3 mL |
| Mycotoxins* | 2 g | 3 mL |
| Residual Solvents | Standard Test Panel - Oregon* | 1 g | 2 mL |
| Water Activity | 2 g | - |
| Moisture Content | 4 g | - |
| Vitamin E (Concentrate)* | 1 g | - |
* CARTRIDGES: Due to difficulty removing the sample from a cartridge, we recommend submitting double the amounts typically required for a concentrate.
Let’s talk about your
cannabis testing needs
Our experts are always ready to answer your questions.