Ensure the Safety and Quality of Cannabis- and Hemp-Based Products

Significance of Cannabis and Hemp Testing

Cannabis and hemp products require rigorous analytical evaluation to ensure consumer safety, regulatory compliance, and product quality. As legalization expands, laboratories must adopt robust workflows capable of detecting trace levels of cannabinoids, pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and microbial contaminants. Comprehensive testing safeguards public health and supports reliable market growth.

Objectives and Overview of the Article

This application note presents Agilent's integrated solution for cannabis and hemp testing laboratories. It outlines end-to-end workflows using chromatography, mass spectrometry, and qPCR approaches designed to minimize instrument downtime, maximize throughput, and future-proof operations against evolving regulatory demands.

Methodology

Agilent recommends a multi-platform analytical approach:

• Potency and cannabinoid profiling by LC with UV and MS detection, supported by FTIR for rapid screening
• Pesticide and mycotoxin quantitation using LC/MS/MS and GC/MS/MS for enhanced sensitivity and selectivity
• Heavy metals analysis by high-throughput ICP-MS with High Matrix Introduction technology
• Residual solvent and terpene profiling via headspace GC coupled to FID and MS detectors
• Microbial screening using qPCR assays for common pathogens and molds

Used Instrumentation

Agilent provides factory-configured systems and software tailored to each application:

• 1220, 1260 and 1290 Infinity II LC series with optional MSD or LC/MSD for potency
• Cary 630 FTIR for rapid potency measurements
• 8890 and Intuvo 9000 GC platforms paired with 7010 triple quadrupole GC/MS or 5977B MSD for pesticides, solvents, and terpenes
• 7800 ICP-MS system with High Matrix Introduction for heavy metals
• 7697A headspace sampler for residual solvents and terpenes
• AriaMx Real-time PCR system with Medicinal Genomics qPCR assays for microbial targets
• MassHunter and OpenLab software for data acquisition, processing, and compliance with ISO 17025 standards

Main Outcomes and Discussion

Agilent’s workflows deliver parts per billion to parts per trillion detection limits across diverse matrices while maintaining high sample throughput. Dual-platform pesticide testing ensures comprehensive target coverage. Headspace GC techniques minimize sample loss, and ICP-MS methods achieve rapid heavy metals quantitation. The qPCR platform offers sensitive detection of microbial contaminants with multiplexing capabilities.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Reduced downtime through pre-configured methods and certified pre-owned instruments
• Scalable throughput for routine QA/QC and research environments
• Compliance with regional pesticide, solvent, and microbial regulations
• Future-proof solutions adaptable to changing legislative requirements
• Centralized data management ensuring audit readiness and data integrity

Future Trends and Potential Applications

The cannabis and hemp analytics landscape will continue to evolve with advances in high-resolution mass spectrometry, automated sample preparation, and digital laboratory workflows. Emerging techniques such as ambient ionization and lab-on-chip PCR promise further reductions in analysis time. Integration of machine learning for data interpretation may enhance predictive quality control and method optimization.

Conclusion

Agilent’s comprehensive suite of instruments, software, and consumables provides a validated, high-throughput testing framework for cannabis and hemp laboratories. By leveraging multi-platform methodologies and expert support, labs can achieve reliable detection of contaminants and cannabinoids, ensure regulatory compliance, and optimize operational efficiency.

References

1. Sullivan N et al Determination of Pesticide Residues in Cannabis Smoke Journal of Toxicology 2013 378168
2. Morales P et al Molecular Targets of the Phytocannabinoids Progress in the Chemistry of Organic Natural Products 2017 103 103-131
3. Russo E Taming THC British Journal of Pharmacology 2011 163(7) 1344-1364
4. Fischedick J Identification of Terpenoid Chemotypes Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research 2017 2(1)
5. Tangahu B et al A Review on Heavy Metals Uptake by Plants International Journal of Chemical Engineering 2011 939161
6. McPartland J et al Contaminants of Concern in Cannabis Botany and Biotechnology 2017 457-474
7. Farrer D Technical Report Oregon Health Authority 2015