Lab Testing Explained: How to Read Your CBD Flower’s Certificate of Analysis

At Tweedle Farms, we believe that knowing what’s in your flower is just as important as knowing where it came from. Every strain we grow is tested by a state-licensed, third-party laboratory, and the results are shared directly with you through a Certificate of Analysis, or COA.

But if you’ve ever looked at one of these reports and thought, “What exactly am I looking at?”, you’re not alone.

This guide will walk you through how to read a COA using our recent test for Lemon Octane as an example.

What Is a Certificate of Analysis (COA)?

A Certificate of Analysis verifies that a hemp or cannabis product has been tested for potency, purity, and safety. It’s essentially the report card for your flower, showing you exactly what cannabinoids and terpenes are present, and confirming that it’s free of harmful contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, or mold.

Every Tweedle Farms COA comes from an accredited laboratory (in this case, SC Labs) and includes multiple sections: cannabinoid profile, terpene profile, and safety testing.

Understanding the Cannabinoid Profile

The first thing most people look for is the cannabinoid content, which tells you what active compounds are in your hemp flower, and at what levels.

In the case of Lemon Octane:

• Total Cannabinoids: 23.97%

• Total CBD: 18.41%

• Total THC: 0.75%

The majority of Lemon Octane’s potency comes from CBDA (18.3%) and CBD (1.0%), which work together to deliver the relaxing and balancing effects Tweedle flower is known for.

Other cannabinoids like CBCA, CBGA, and CBG appear in smaller amounts, but don’t overlook them! These minor cannabinoids often contribute unique effects and play an important role in the synergistic relationship between all plant compounds, aka the entourage effect.

The Terpene Profile: Aroma Meets Effect

Terpenes are the aromatic oils that give each strain its distinctive scent — citrus, pine, spice, or floral — and they also shape the overall experience.

In Lemon Octane, total terpenes clock in at 2.07%, which is a healthy concentration for a well-cured flower.

The dominant terpenes here are:

• Myrcene (0.62%) – earthy and musky; promotes calm and relaxation

• β-Caryophyllene (0.47%) – peppery and spicy; interacts directly with cannabinoid receptors

• α-Humulene (0.15%) – woody and herbal; often associated with focus and clarity

Together, this terpene combination gives Lemon Octane its unique sweet, herbal, and slightly citrusy aroma and smooth, balanced effects.

If you look closely at the Entourage Effects chart, you’ll notice that Lemon Octane leans toward focus, energy, and calm, illustrating how terpene dominance can shape the experience just as much as cannabinoids do.

Purity and Safety Testing

Every COA also includes a detailed look at what’s not in your flower, and to us, that’s just as important.

Here’s what we test for:

• Pesticides: PASS

• Mycotoxins (mold): PASS

• Microbiological contaminants: PASS

• Heavy Metals: PASS

• Moisture (10.2%) and Water Activity (0.537): Both within ideal ranges for freshness and safety

These metrics show that the flower was cured properly and is stable enough for long-term storage without risk of mold or degradation.

At Tweedle Farms, we’re proud to consistently meet — and often exceed — Oregon’s stringent quality standards.

Bringing It All Together

A COA isn’t just a regulatory requirement; it’s a window into the plant itself. It confirms that your flower (or pre rolls, concentrates, or even edibles) was grown with care, processed cleanly, and tested thoroughly, so you can enjoy it with complete confidence.

When you scan a Tweedle Farms QR code or open the lab results for your batch, you’re looking at real, verified data — the same numbers we rely on to ensure our products meet the highest standards of quality and consistency.

In Summary

Total Cannabinoids: The overall potency

• CBD & THC: The primary active compounds

• Terpenes: The aroma and mood shapers

• Safety Tests: Proof of purity

Transparency is at the heart of what we do. And by understanding how to read a COA, you can make informed choices about the hemp you consume, whether it’s Lemon Octane or any other Tweedle Farms favorite!

Ready to Explore More?

Browse our full selection of lab-tested CBD flower and view the COA for every strain on its product page.