To read a hemp COA (Certificate of Analysis), confirm the batch number matches your product, check that the lab is accredited, find the potency panel, calculate total THC as delta-9 THC plus 0.877 times THCA, review the contaminant tests, and make sure the test date is recent. That is the whole checklist. Below, we walk through each step so you can read any COA like a pro, including every one on the Totally Baked lab results page.

What Is a COA?

A Certificate of Analysis is a lab report showing what is in a specific batch of product. For hemp, it usually covers cannabinoid potency and, depending on the panel, contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents and microbials. A COA from an independent, third-party lab is how a brand proves its label is honest.

Every Totally Baked batch is third-party tested by ISO-accredited labs. Groovy on the outside, lab-tested on the inside.

The 6-Step COA Checklist

  1. Match the batch number.
  2. Verify the lab and its accreditation.
  3. Read the potency panel.
  4. Calculate total THC.
  5. Review contaminant results.
  6. Check the date.

Step 1: Match the Batch Number

Every COA should list a batch or lot number. Find the matching number on your package. If they do not match, the COA is not for the product in your hand. Some COAs also list a sample ID, product name, and the date the sample was received.

Step 2: Verify the Lab and Its Accreditation

Look for the lab's name, address and accreditation, typically ISO/IEC 17025. That accreditation means the lab's methods have been independently assessed. A trustworthy COA also comes from a lab that is independent from the brand. Many labs let you verify a report on their own website with a QR code or report number.

Step 3: Read the Potency Panel

The potency panel lists cannabinoids and their amounts, usually in percent and in mg/g. Common entries include:

  • THCA: the acid form of THC, found in raw flower. It converts to delta-9 THC when heated.
  • Delta-9 THC: the familiar form of THC.
  • Delta-8 THC: you will see this on our THCA hash hole COAs, because those products contain hemp-derived delta-8 THC in addition to THCA.
  • THC-P: on our THC-P products. Learn more in our complete THC-P guide.
  • CBD, CBG and others: minor cannabinoids that may also be tested.

"ND" means not detected. "LOQ" is the limit of quantitation, the smallest amount the lab can reliably measure.

Step 4: Calculate Total THC

This is the step most people skip, and it matters more than ever in 2026. Because THCA converts to delta-9 THC when heated, labs calculate total THC with this formula:

Total THC = Δ9-THC + (0.877 × THCA)

The 0.877 factor accounts for the weight THCA loses when it converts to THC. Here is a hypothetical example:

Line on COA Value
Delta-9 THC 0.2%
THCA 22.0%
0.877 × THCA 19.29%
Total THC 19.49%

For a 2g pre-roll, 19.49% total THC works out to about 390 mg of total THC. That math matters because a federal total-THC standard and a 0.4 mg total THC per container cap for finished products take effect December 11, 2026. Read our 2026 hemp deadlines explainer for the details.

Step 5: Review Contaminant Results

A full-panel COA may include:

  • Pesticides: results should be below action limits or not detected.
  • Heavy metals: lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury.
  • Residual solvents: especially important for concentrates like our bubble hash and live resin.
  • Microbials and mycotoxins: things like mold, yeast and aflatoxins, especially relevant for flower.
  • Moisture or water activity: sometimes included for flower.

Look for "Pass" markers or results listed against the lab's limits. If a panel was not run, the COA should not claim it passed.

Step 6: Check the Date

Find the date the sample was tested and the date the report was issued. A recent report on the correct batch is what you want.

Why COAs Matter Even More in 2026

With federal hemp rules changing, the potency panel is doing more work than ever. Federal changes start November 12, 2026, and on December 11, 2026 total THC, including THCA, becomes the federal measuring stick while cannabinoids made outside the plant, like most commercial delta-8 and THC-P, are excluded. A clear, current COA helps consumers know what they are buying.

COA Red Flags

  • No batch number, or a batch number that does not match the package.
  • No lab name, contact information or accreditation.
  • A COA that looks edited, is blurry or will not verify on the lab's site.
  • Potency numbers that do not add up with the total THC calculation.
  • A product claiming "full panel" testing with only potency results shown.

Reading COAs for Different Products

Flower and Sno Caps

Focus on THCA, delta-9 THC and microbials. See how the two compare in THCA Flower vs Sno Caps, and browse our flower collection.

Pre-rolls and hash holes

Diamond-infused products typically show higher THCA. Hash hole COAs from our THCA line also show delta-8 THC. Learn more in Diamond-Infused Pre-Rolls, Explained and What Is a Hash Hole?.

THC-P products

Look for the THC-P line alongside the other cannabinoids. Compare cannabinoids in THC-P vs THCA.

COA FAQ

Where can I find Totally Baked COAs?

On our lab results page. Match the batch number on your package to the report.

Why multiply THCA by 0.877?

THCA loses part of its molecular weight when it converts to THC. Multiplying by 0.877 converts THCA into its THC equivalent.

What does ND mean on a COA?

ND means "not detected," meaning the compound was below the lab's detection limit.

What if my batch number is not listed?

Contact our team with the batch number and we will help you track down the report.

Shop With Receipts

We put our lab work where you can see it. Browse the THCA collection with confidence.

For adults 21+. Not evaluated by the FDA; not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Hemp laws change often; this is not legal advice.

Put it to work: use these COA checks when comparing budget buys in Budget THCa Flower and Affordable THCa Concentrates.