How to Read a Cannabis COA (Certificate of Analysis): A Simple Guide for New York Consumers
As New York’s legal cannabis market continues to grow, more consumers want to understand how to verify the quality and safety of the products they buy. One of the most important tools available to shoppers is the COA, also known as the Certificate of Analysis. This document is created by a licensed third-party laboratory and provides transparent details about a product’s potency, cannabinoid levels, terpene profile, and safety test results.
Understanding a COA helps you make informed decisions, avoid low-quality products, and choose items that match your tolerance and preferences. This guide explains how to read a COA in a clear, simple way so you can shop confidently at licensed New York dispensaries and know exactly what you’re buying.
Silly Nice recommends reviewing COAs whenever possible to ensure you are getting clean, potent, and properly tested cannabis. Every Silly Nice product is lab-tested and backed by a full COA for transparency and consumer trust.
What Is a COA and Why It Matters
A COA is a verified document issued by a state-approved testing lab that confirms what is inside a cannabis product. It details potency, cannabinoid distribution, terpene content, and safety test results. New York requires licensed cannabis products to undergo strict testing before they can be sold.
A COA helps you:
• Confirm potency
• Understand effects
• Check for purity
• Ensure the product is free from contaminants
• Track lab data and sample numbers
When you purchase from the legal market, this information is available because licensed brands and dispensaries follow required safety standards.
Step 1: Look at the Product Information Section
A COA typically starts with basic details about the product. This section confirms that the item you purchased matches the sample that was tested.
You will usually find:
• Product name
• Batch or lot number
• Sample ID
• Type of product (flower, concentrate, vape, hash)
• Manufacturing date
• Testing date
• Lab name and license number
These details ensure transparency and confirm that the lab tested the exact product you are holding.
Step 2: Review the Cannabinoid Potency Results
This section is the one most consumers look at first. It shows the percentage of cannabinoids in the product. THC and CBD are the most common, but a full COA also lists minor cannabinoids that shape the overall experience.
Key cannabinoids include:
• THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
• THCa (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid)
• CBD (cannabidiol)
• CBG (cannabigerol)
• CBN (cannabinol)
• THCv (tetrahydrocannabivarin)
For flower and concentrates, potency may be shown as both:
• Percentage of weight
• Milligrams per gram (mg/g)
The “Total THC” value is especially important because it represents the final potency after decarboxylation, meaning the amount of THC the product will produce when heated.
Silly Nice products often show high total cannabinoid values because they are crafted with precision, using high-potency single-source material and clean processing methods.
Step 3: Examine the Terpene Profile
Terpenes are natural aromatic compounds that influence flavor, aroma, and effects. Many New York consumers now look beyond THC levels to evaluate terpene content.
Common terpenes include:
• Limonene (citrus aroma, uplifting effects)
• Myrcene (earthy aroma, relaxing effects)
• Beta-Caryophyllene (spicy aroma, soothing effects)
• Pinene (pine aroma, alertness and clarity)
• Linalool (floral aroma, calming effects)
A high terpene percentage usually means better flavor, smoother smoke, and more balanced effects. Silly Nice products use terpene-rich inputs, and many of our vapes and infused flower deliver bold profiles with authentic strain character.
Step 4: Check Safety Screening Results
A COA also lists safety test results to confirm the product is free from harmful contaminants. Licensed New York cannabis must pass all categories before entering dispensaries.
Common safety screenings include:
• Microbial testing (yeast, mold, bacteria)
• Pesticide residue screening
• Heavy metals analysis
• Mycotoxin screening
• Residual solvent testing (mainly for concentrates)
Each category will show a result marked as:
• Pass
• Fail
• Not detected
Legal New York cannabis must pass every safety category. This is one of the biggest differences between licensed dispensaries and unregulated sellers. Silly Nice products always undergo strict lab testing to meet state requirements and consumer expectations.
Step 5: Review Moisture Content and Water Activity (For Flower)
For flower and hash products, moisture content can influence freshness, burn quality, and flavor. Water activity (Aw) measures how likely the product is to grow mold or degrade.
Fresh, well-maintained flower should fall within New York’s approved ranges.
A good COA for flower typically shows:
• Moisture content between 8 percent and 12 percent
• Water activity below 0.65 Aw
These details help ensure your flower will burn smoothly and store well. Properly cured weed also preserves terpenes more effectively.
Step 6: Cross-Check the QR Code or Batch Number
New York requires product packaging to include a QR code or batch number that links to lab results. Scanning the QR code brings up the COA directly, which allows you to match what you purchased with verified data from the lab.
This layer of transparency protects consumers from misinformation and ensures the product came from a licensed source.
Why a COA Is a Sign of a Quality Brand
Brands that care about transparency, purity, and consistency make their COAs easy to find. They also test every batch and work with licensed labs that follow strict compliance standards.
A strong COA reflects:
• Clean inputs
• Safe extraction methods
• Accurate batch tracking
• Rigorous quality control
• Consistent potency
Silly Nice follows these standards across all products, from Diamond Powder to infused flower to vape cartridges. Our COAs confirm high cannabinoid levels, rich terpene content, and clean lab results.
Explore Silly Nice Products With Verified COAs
Browse the product menu and check lab-verified results:
https://SillyNice.com/menu
Find Licensed Dispensaries Across New York
Locate Silly Nice products statewide:
https://SillyNice.com/locations
Closing Thoughts
Reading a COA gives you the confidence to choose cannabis that fits your needs and meets state safety standards. Whether you are shopping for flower, concentrates, hash, or vapes, the COA helps you understand potency, flavor, and purity. It also allows you to compare brands and find products that offer consistent, trustworthy performance. By using COAs as part of your shopping routine, you support safer consumption and elevate your overall experience.