Education · April 2026
How to Read Cannabis Lab Results: COA Guide for Buyers
Every legal cannabis product in Oregon comes with lab results. Here's how to read them and what the numbers actually mean.
What is a COA?
A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is the lab report that comes with every batch of legal cannabis. It shows potency (how strong it is), terpene content (what it smells and tastes like), and safety results (pesticides, heavy metals, microbials). In Oregon, third-party labs run these tests before flower can be sold.
Understanding THC percentage
Total THC is the number most people look at first. It represents the maximum THC available when the flower is heated. Anything above 20% is considered strong, above 25% is very strong, and above 30% is top shelf. But higher THC doesn't always mean a better experience — terpenes matter just as much.
Safety testing
A COA can include safety screening for pesticides, heavy metals, and microbial contaminants. Check the certificate for the exact batch and lab; Oregon Greens publishes safety claims only when the batch-linked document is approved.
Where to find lab results
Oregon Greens cultivar pages show whether batch-linked proof is available. When the required COA and metadata are missing, numeric potency, terpene, and safety values stay withheld rather than being presented as verified.
