A Helpful Breakdown of This Important Process and Where to Get Cannabis Lab Testing Equipment
As a company that has always been interested in the science behind cannabis, we’re always happy to be able to share some of the finer points of how this product reacts in certain situations and how it’s processed before going to market.
Cannabis doesn’t just grow out of the ground ready to imbibe. There’s a process that it must go through before it’s packaged and sold in stores ready to smoke, vaporize, or consume in an edible format.
This process is known as decarboxylation; however, before we get into that, we must first take a couple steps back and define one very important cannabinoid called THCA.
What is THCA? Is it the Same as THC?
By this point, you probably know that THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the active ingredient in marijuana that causes a “high” or euphoric feeling. The two main types of THC sold in cannabis products are Delta-8 and Delta-9. These are the chemicals that bind with cannabinoid receptors in the brain that cause a psychological reaction.
However, there is an important part of the process before THC is present in the plant. THC actually starts off as THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid), which is the acidic form of THC. THCA causes no psychological effects when ingested. The reason why is because it has an additional molecular carboxyl ring which prevents it from binding to the receptors of the brain. In order for THCA to become THC, it must go through a process called decarboxylation.
What Is Decarboxylation and How is it Performed?
Decarboxylation doesn’t require any cannabis lab testing equipment or instruments. When you think of the term “decarboxylation,” think of heat and time. When a cannabis plant containing THCA is introduced to heat over a span of time, the THCA transforms into THC.
The span of time can either be instant or gradual. For instance, using fire when smoking cannabis instantly transforms the THCA into THC. However, the process can also occur by putting cannabis into an oven at a temperature between 230ºF and 265ºF. This will transform the THCA into THC between 9 and 30 minutes according to a 2016 study on the matter.
Of course, this begs the question: what happens if you decarboxylate too long? Ultimately, the product suffers. The THCA can turn into THC, but this will be followed by the terpenes and cannabinoids effectively being burned away, which removes any potential effects the product may have given consumers.
For those in the distribution or retail side of things, it’s important to know how to properly “decarb” the product. Not having the proper process in place has the potential to ruin countless pounds of product before it reaches a retail point. Additionally, you need one more thing to ensure your success – testing equipment.
How to Get Cannabis Lab Testing Equipment for Your Growing Operation
In most cases, growing operations send off their product to a third-party cannabis lab testing facility where they perform a cannabinoid analysis test to gauge THC, CBD, and other cannabinoid levels. However, third-party cannabis testing labs often will use harmful chemicals during their testing process, which can hurt the environment. Cannabis lab testing through a third-party can also take a significant amount of time, during which your cannabis crops will continue to mature.
The solution? Secure your own cannabis lab testing equipment so that you can do this at your growing site. Elite Robotics is in the business of providing cannabis testing instruments to growing and cultivating operations in the cannabis industry.
We have two main products as part of our Cannabots™ line. The first is a containment device that hermetically seals samples until they’re ready to be analyzed. The second product is the analyzer, which breaks down and tests cannabis samples from the containment device to perform the cannabinoid analysis test. It’s also worth mentioning that neither device uses harmful processes or chemicals to perform cannabis lab testing.
Although we don’t retail these products at the current moment, we are interested in working with investors who are looking for an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of the testing side of the cannabis market. Every growing operation requires cannabis lab testing; Elite Robotics fulfills that need.
Learn more about our cannabis lab testing equipment or become an investor by contacting Elite Robotics at (805) 987-6217. Or send us a message directly using our contact form.