Cannabis & Hemp Testing Resources
Literature
Download these Cannabis and Hemp Testing Materials:
The twelve-page cannabis brochure and hemp brochure provide a general overview of potency testing, terpene profiling, pesticide analysis, residual solvents, heavy metals and moisture content. From balances to HPLCs and GCMS, Shimadzu has you covered!

Basic Principles and Theory of GCMS and LCMS
Shimadzu has a long-standing history of GCMS and LCMS. In these two primers, which serve as textbooks as well as practical application guides, we describe the principles of GCMS and LCMS and provide a better understanding of the innovative technology behind mass spectrometry.
Inflorescence Application Notes
Industrial Hemp Application Notes & Related Information
Articles
Cannabis Industry Journal's #1 Most Read Article of 2019

From using an HPLC for potency testing to an LC-MS/MS for mycotoxin analysis, find out what instruments you need in a lab to get started.
Shimadzu is honored to be awarded by independent judges at Cannabis Scientist Magazine for its Hemp Analyzer for cannabinoid analysis, recognized as one of the “Top 5 Tools” that have made cannabis scientists’ lives easier. The judges said...
“I have used both the Hemp Analyzer and Cannabis Analyzer in the field. This instrument revolutionizes potency analysis and is extremely user-friendly.”
“It is important for growers to be able to do testing due to the legal and financial risk involved in growing hemp. Simplifying LC is likely a better approach than some of the other technologies, due to the legal requirements involved. Results can also be correlated with laboratory results.”
Click on the link to learn about other innovations that streamline the cannabis analysis workflow. Use a browser other than Internet Explorer to access Cannabis Scientist Magazine.
https://thecannabisscientist.com/business-profession/the-innovation-awards-2020
On behalf of Shimadzu, we want to extend our deepest appreciation to our customers and partners for voting Scott Kuzdzal and Robert Clifford to The Cannabis Scientist’s Power List for 2020. Inclusion in this list would not have been possible without your support. This recognition is also a testament to the entire Shimadzu team of dedicated product managers & specialists, tech support scientists, and service engineers, and we thank all team members for their commitment to the cannabis industry.
We will do our very best to continue earning your support. Thank you again!

Validation of Cannabinoids by HPLC-UV
Cannabis has regained much attention as a result of updated legislation authorizing many different uses and can be classified on the basis of the content of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychotropic substance for which there are legal limitations in many countries. For this purpose, accurate qualitative and quantitative determination is essential. The relationship between THC and cannabidiol (CBD) is also significant as the latter substance is endowed with many specific and non-psychoactive proprieties. For these reasons, it becomes increasingly important and urgent to utilize fast, easy, validated, and harmonized procedures for determination of cannabinoids. The procedure described herein allows rapid determination of 10 cannabinoids from the inflorescences of Cannabis sativa L. by extraction with organic solvents. Separation and subsequent detection are by RP-HPLC-UV. Quantification is performed by an external standard method through the construction of calibration curves using pure standard chromatographic reference compounds.
- Volatile Composition and Sensory Properties as Quality Attributes of Fresh and Dried Hemp Flowers
- Cannabis Inflorescence for Medical Purposes: USP Considerations for Quality Attributes
- Starting a QC Cannabis or Hemp Laboratory: Testing Requirements, Initial Expenses, and ROI
- New LC-MS method for cannabinoid analysis - In-Source fragmentation of 16 cannabinoids using single quadrupole LC-MS
- How to Choose the Right Instrumentation for Cannabinoid and Terpene Analysis
- California and Oregon Residual Pesticide Analysis using APCI with LC-MS
- Heavy Metal Measurement Made Light
- The Cannabis Scientist Power List 2020: Who are the most influential people in cannabis science?
- Analyzing Hemp in Under 8 Minutes
- The Quantitative Determination of Phytocannabinoids in Hemp Oils Using HPLC with UV Detection
- Increasing Return on Investment for Pesticide Analysis in Cannabis
- Testing for Metals in Cannabis Using ICP-MS, Pt 1
- Testing for Metals in Cannabis Using ICP-MS, Pt 2
- Analytical Instruments You Need to Start a Cannabis Testing Laboratory

Measuring Heavy Metal Contaminants in Cannabis and Hemp
Measuring Heavy Metal Contaminants in Cannabis and Hemp offers a comprehensive guide to the entire cannabis industry for measuring elemental contaminants in cannabis and hemp. For testing labs, it
describes fundamental principles and practical capabilities of ICP-MS and other AS techniques for measuring heavy metals in cannabis. For state regulators, it compares maximum contaminant limits of heavy metals with those for federally-regulated pharmaceutical materials. For cultivators and processors it helps them to better understand the many sources of heavy metals in cannabis. And for consumers of medical cannabis, it highlights the importance of choosing cannabis products that are safe to use.
Instruments
Shimadzu provides a wide array of powerful technologies for cannabis and hemp testing laboratories. Primary applications and platforms are listed below:
Application | Platform |
---|---|
Cannabinoid Potency Testing | HPLC / UHPLC |
Terpene Profiling | GC, GCMS(/ MS) |
Pesticide Analysis | LCMS/MS, GCMS/MS |
Residual Solvents | GC, GCMS(/MS) |
Heavy Metals | ICPMS |
Mycotoxin/Aflatoxin Analysis | LCMS |
Moisture Content | MOC63u Moisture Balance, Analytical Balances |
Cannabis Consumables:
In addition to providing the best instrument platforms for your cannabis testing needs, Shimadzu offers a wide range of consumables – from cannabinoid standards, columns, and vials to solvents and sample preparation devices – to keep your laboratory running efficiently.
Download our Cannabis Consumables brochure and our NexLeaf™ Columns flier to learn more.