Pesticides

Mycotoxins

Residual Solvents

Additional Services

Offered:

Heavy Metals

Moisture

Foreign Matter

Water Activity

POTENCY TESTING; Agilent LC/MS

The full required cannabinoid profile including THC, D8, D9, THCA, CBD, CBDA and CBN (additional cannabinoids by request). Combining our high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) designed specifically for cannabis testing and our analytical expertise, we developed and validated a method for 13 specific cannabinoids, exceeding the minimum state requirements.

TERPENE TESTING; Agilent GC/MSD

Terpene profile is recognized as critical to patients, dispensaries, and cultivators. Understanding and providing terpene profile is recognized as essential for dispensaries to help patients identify the strains which are successful in treating their symptoms as well as providing an overview of the plant’s aromatics. Through understanding terpenes, cultivators/breeders can selectively modulate the terpene ratios of their strains, in order to maximize desired benefits. *Not on current scope of accreditation.

MICROBIAL SCREENING; Neogen Plating & qPCR

In order to maintain the vision of providing safe and secure access to marijuana for qualifying Illinois patients, Elevated Standards, LLC analyzes cultivated and manufactured products for microbials including:

• Mycotoxins including aflatoxins and ochratoxin A

• Pathogenic E. Coli

• Salmonella

• Yeast and Mold

MYCOTOXINS; Agilent LC/TQ

Mycotoxins are highly toxic chemical byproducts produced by fungi commonly found in agricultural crops. Because even very small amounts can cause serious health effects, mycotoxin control is a critical component of cannabis testing. Elevated Standards, LLC has validated test methods to analyze for aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A (others available upon request) at or below the 20 ppb limits established by the State of Illinois.

PESTICIDES; Agilent LC/TQ

Due to the plant’s ability to absorb compounds from direct application, soil, and water, cannabis may become contaminated with pesticides. Elevated Standards, LLC offers analytical testing using HPLC–triple quadrupole technology to detect and quantify all Illinois-regulated pesticides, ensuring product safety and compliance.

HEAVY METALS SCREENING; Agilent ICP

Heavy Metal analysis evaluates cannabis products for elevated concentrations of trace metals of regulatory and health concern. These metals include arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury. Excessive exposure to these elements may result in serious health effects, including neurological damage. Using advanced instrumentation and analytical expertise, Elevated Standards, LLC ensures products meet safety requirements and remain below thresholds established by the State of Illinois.

RESIDUAL SOLVENTS; Agilent GC/MSD

Residual solvents are volatile compounds commonly used during manufacturing and extraction processes. At Elevated Standards, LLC, we have optimized and validated a headspace gas chromatography method capable of identifying and quantifying a comprehensive panel of residual solvents to help ensure product safety. Residual solvent testing includes, but is not limited to: 1,2-Dichloroethane, acetone, acetonitrile, benzene, butanes, chloroform, ethanol, ethyl acetate, ethyl ether, ethylene oxide, heptane, hexanes, isopropyl alcohol, methanol, methylene chloride, pentanes, propane, toluene, trichloroethylene, and total xylenes.

WATER ACTIVITY / MOISTURE CONTENT

Moisture content and water activity measure different aspects of water in a product. Moisture content reflects the total water present, while water activity represents the limited amount of free, available moisture. Testing water activity helps confirm that conditions do not promote microbial growth, ensuring product integrity during storage and transport.

FOREIGN MATTER SCREENING

Optical microscopy is utilized to confirm the absence of foreign matter and verify that samples meet acceptance criteria.