Product Testing
~ Kim Collier
Stillwater Laboratories
Stillwater Laboratories Inc. is a 100% Montana owned and PhD operated science lab. We are a third-party testing facility with no financial interest in cultivation, processing, or sale of hemp products. We are committed to providing the hemp products community with accurate and reliable analytical services at a fair and sustainable cost.
Accreditation
Stillwater Labs is an A2LA accredited testing laboratory. We are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for the specific analytes listed on A2LA Certificate Number 4961.01. Stillwater Labs is also a certified laboratory through the ASA Patients for Safe Access (PFC) program (https://www.safeaccessnow.org).
Why analyze your CBD products?
Hemp is a genetically diverse plant grown under many different conditions and is a known bio-accumulator of contaminants. It is therefore necessary to test hemp and hemp derivatives to uphold the standards that we expect of therapeutic products.
CBD quality certification includes tests that:
Confirm:
- Potency (cannabinoid content)
- Terpenes
- Product cleanliness
Rule out:
- Pesticides
- Mycotoxins
- Microbes and Molds
- Residual Solvents
- Heavy Metals
These aspects of CBD quality ensure safe and reliable products for your clients and their customers.
Services
Stillwater Labs provides hemp and hemp product analysis for growers, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers throughout the US. We test raw plant, extracts, isolates, infused products, and edibles to ensure quality and safety. Stillwater Labs uses only validated methods and state-of-the-art Shimadzu equipment to provide accurate and reproducible results. Our analytes and methods include:
Potency
Over 150 phyto-cannabinoids have been identified to date (CBD and THC are two of the better known), and the presence of these in hemp varies by plant variety, the environment, the time of harvest, and post-harvest conditions. Concentrate potency also changes considerably depending on the extraction method and degree of refinement. Stillwater Labs uses HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) to provide an eleven-analyte cannabinoid profile.
Terpenes
Terpenes are the natural compounds that provide flavor and character in hemp and other plants. At Stillwater Labs, the Terpene Profile is generated using a GCMS (gas chromatograph with a mass spectrometer detector) to capture and identify volatile and aromatic terpene compounds.
Residual Solvents
Extraction methods provide a more controlled concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes. Extraction products should be tested for residual solvents to ensure safety. At Stillwater Labs, solvents are detected using a GCMS to capture, identify, and quantify analytes.
Pesticides
Pesticides are agricultural tools that allow the grower to maximize yield and character of hemp, but pesticides may be toxic if they remain in the product. Stillwater Labs uses an LCMSMS (ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography with a triple quad mass spectrometer detector) to quantify common pesticides as referenced in the AHP Cannabis Inflorescence Quality Control Monograph, 2014 and those recommended by state cannabis programs.
Microbes and Molds
Microbes and molds are common in nearly all agricultural products due to natural dispersal in our environment. Most of these are of no concern, but some are known pathogens and may pose a health risk. Stillwater Labs uses a well-validated commercial method to identify E. Coli, Salmonella sp., and common molds.
Mycotoxins
Mycotoxins are Class 1 carcinogens produced by some fungi and molds. Stillwater Labs uses an LCMSMS to identify mycotoxin contamination.
Heavy Metals
Hemp is an accumulator plant via the root system, absorbing heavy metals that may be present in the soil, fertilizer, or water. Stillwater Labs uses an
ICPMS (inductively-coupled plasma with a mass spectrometer detector) to precisely determine concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead.
Reports and Product Labels
Your fully tested product will receive an electronic certificate of analysis (CoA). Your data is stored on encrypted servers and is available for you to download at any time.
Notes on Farm Bill Hemp
“Farm Bill” designation is a special classification of cannabis that is permitted by the US and state Departments of Agriculture. This dispensation allows the cultivation, processing, and sale of hemp and hemp products.
Farm Bill hemp may currently be transported via US Post but may require registration and a proforma disclaimer. Please contact us for sample containers, shipping kits, and current guidelines.