// Definition
The practice of cannabis producers sending samples to multiple testing labs to find the one reporting the highest THC/THCA percentages, driven by market pressure where higher potency numbers command higher wholesale prices. Compounded by inconsistent moisture measurement methods — labs using heat-based moisture balances inadvertently decarboxylate cannabinoids and volatilize terpenes, changing the denominator and inflating reported potency.
// From the Episode
Dr. Mark Scialdone explained that reporting potency on 'dried weight' vs 'as-is' basis creates significant discrepancies since flower contains ~12% moisture. Some producers spray distillate on flower to boost COA numbers — detectable by HPLC because sprayed THC appears as neutral (decarboxylated) THC rather than THCA acid form. Skunkman Sam noted that pure THC does not get you as high as 50-60% THC skunk resin with full terpene profile, undermining the entire potency-chasing paradigm. Etienne Fontan recalled that over 80-85% of the first 1,500 cannabis tests in California showed pesticide or mycotoxin contamination.
// Source
Ep. 175 HC 4.0 Ep 6 →