FAQ

Commonly Asked Questions

Need To Know

What is CBD?
Where are you located?
How do I start testing with ACS Laboratory?
What kinds of analytical testing does ACS Laboratory offer?
What type of products can you test?
What are the differences between regulatory compliant testing and research and development (R&D) testing?
I'm not near ACS Laboratory. What other ways can I get my sample to you?
How much of my samples do I need to send in?
I just submitted my first samples to ACS Lab. Now what?
How often should I test my hemp crop?
What does the 2018 Farm Bill mean for shipping/selling CBD?
How can I use labels on my packaging?
How do I get help interpreting my results?
What are some tests ACS Laboratory can do that is outside of the normal scope?
What is the difference between an isolate and full-spectrum product?
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Why is it legal to possess Amanita muscaria but not psilocybin mushrooms?

The psilocybin in psilocybin or magic mushrooms is a Schedule 1 drug in the U.S., while the muscimol and ibotenic acid in Amanita muscaria are generally unregulated.

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* Does Amanita muscaria contain psilocybin?

The Amanita muscaria does not contain psilocybin or psilocin. Rather, the active chemicals this mushroom contains are muscimol, ibotenic acid, and muscarine.

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* What is the difference between "Amanita muscaria" and "fly agaric"?

“Fly agaric” is a nick name for the Amanita muscaria mushroom because it attracts and kills flies.

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Why should I try muscimol?

Muscimol offers a unique opportunity to explore altered states and therapeutic benefits depending on the dose. In psychoactive doses, muscimol can induce euphoria and dream-like visions. It can support sleep, pain, and anxiety conditions in smaller amounts. 

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Is muscimol similar to THC?

Cannabis and muscimol are both psychoactive substances that can make people feel happy and relaxed. Cannabis strains with high THC content and sedative terpenes and cannabinoids tend to be calming, similar to muscimol’s soothing qualities. However, other cannabis strains make people talkative and uninhibited, the opposite of muscimol. Some compare muscimol to THC from a therapeutic perspective because both can help with anxiety, depression, and physical discomfort. 

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Is muscimol addictive?

There are no recorded instances of muscimol dependence. Most agree muscimol is safe and non-habit-forming, even in larger, psychoactive doses. However, muscimol misuse is theoretically possible, as is true with all chemical substances, such as those in McDonald's french fries. 

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What is mitragynine used for?

Mitragynine is a unique chemical found in the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa plant (also known as kratom), a tree native to Southeast Asia. The compound works by activating opioid receptors, giving it pain-relieving and stimulating properties similar to other opioid drugs such as morphine. 

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Is mitragynine stronger than morphine?

Mitragynine is not stronger than morphine. However, some of its derivatives and related alkaloids have shown higher potency than morphine in animal studies. For instance, one study found that mitragynine pseudoindoxyl was three times more potent than morphine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine was 5-fold more potent than morphine in mice. Another study reported that 7-hydroxymitragynine exhibited 13- and 46-fold higher potency than morphine and mitragynine

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How does mitragynine affect the brain?

Mitragynine and related active compounds in kratom, like 7-OH-mitragynine, bind to the body’s opioid receptors distributed mainly throughout the central nervous system. This interaction affects body functions, such as causing sedation, pleasure, and pain relief. 

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What is mitragynine toxicity?

Reports indicate mitragynine displays fewer side effects than classical opioid drugs such as morphine. While rare, cases of mitragynine toxicity can occur, in which users experience adverse effects such as seizures, liver damage, and respiratory issues. Because mitragynine inhibits the P450 enzyme, combining mitragynine with other drugs can cause severe reactions. 

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What are the benefits of THCA?

THCA exhibits neuroprotective effects, meaning it protects the brain. It also possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties, has the potential to slow down the growth of cancer cells, stimulates appetite, reduces nausea, and may provide relief for seizure disorders.

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How does THCA differ from CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) is another major cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp plants. Structurally, CBD and THCA are completely distinct compounds. However, THCA shares several similarities with CBD. Neither THCA nor CBD binds well with cannabinoid receptors in the brain, making them both non-psychoactive. Additionally, they both offer benefits for inflammation and seizure disorders.

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Does THCA transform into THC when smoked?

Yes. Smoking provides sufficient heat to convert a significant portion of THCA in a product into regular THC.

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How does THCA affect the brain?

THCA does not bind to brain receptors like THC unless it undergoes decarboxylation. However, THCA does exhibit neuroprotective properties that may have potential in the prevention and treatment of conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's.

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What is the recommended dosage for Amanita muscaria for beginners?

The appropriate dosage of Amanita muscaria for beginners depends on several factors, such as the product type and a person’s body weight, metabolism, and tolerance. Most experts suggest that consumers start with a microdose or low dosage, typically less than 400 mg of Amanita muscaria extract, and gradually increase it.

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How does body weight affect the dosage of Amanita muscaria?

Body weight affects a person’s metabolism and tolerance level. Generally, people with higher body weight may require larger Amanita doses to achieve the same effects as those with lower body weight. This variation occurs because a larger body mass can dilute the concentration of the substance.

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What are the potential effects of taking too high of a dosage of Amanita muscaria?

High Amanita muscaria doses can result in intense psychoactive effects, such as vivid dreams and hallucinations. Consuming too high a dose for a person’s tolerance level could also cause some adverse effects, such as:

  • Dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Tiredness
  • Increased sensitivity to visual and auditory stimuli

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What is CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) is the non-psychoactive component found in both cannabis and hemp plants. CBD can be in the form of  distillate, isolate and crude oil. CBD is then formulated into a wide range of finished consumer products such as tinctures, salves, topicals, vapes, gel caps, water, beauty products and even smokable hemp. CBD products must contain less than 0.3% THC by weight in order to be considered legal or compliant. This is where the potency or label test becomes the most important.

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Where to get my cannabis tested before the state tests it?

If you’d like to obtain cannabis analysis testing before the state performs compliance tests, we encourage clients to use our a la cart R&D testing services.

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Does Amanita muscaria contain psilocybin?

The Amanita muscaria does not contain psilocybin or psilocin. Rather, the active chemicals this mushroom contains are muscimol, ibotenic acid, and muscarine.

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What is the difference between "Amanita muscaria" and "fly agaric"?

“Fly agaric” is a nick name for the Amanita muscaria mushroom because it attracts and kills flies.

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Is muscimol a psychedelic compound?

Muscimol is a potent and selective orthosteric agonist for the GABA receptors. While it displays sedative-hypnotic, depressant, and hallucinogenic psychoactivity, it is not considered psychedelic. It is considered a deliriant.

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Are there federal regulations for testing cannabis?

No, the use of cannabis is federally prohibited and therefore there are currently no federal rules related to medical cannabis testing.

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Do I need a license to grow cannabis?

Yes, in order to grow, process, distribute, and retail cannabis goods in the state of Florida, you must be licensed by the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) as a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MMTC). There are similar regulatory agencies in other states throughout the U.S. that cultivators must be registered with in order to grow cannabis.

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How much does it cost to test cannabis?

Our pricing is customized based on your objectives and volume. Please contact us directly for pricing at info@acslab.com.

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What is cannabis tested for?

For compliance: Cannabis is tested for 11 cannabinoid profiles and potency, pesticides, heavy metals, moisture content & water activity, microbiology, mycotoxins, residual solvents (for extracts), filth and foreign materials.

For R+D and plant health: Plant Viroids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), plant growth regulators (PGRs), and glyphosate, as well as shelf life and stability. 

For product differentiation, patient/customer education and marketing:  terpene profiles and flavonoids.

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How accurate is cannabis testing?

Potency testing, for cannabinoids, and quantification for terpenes and flavonoids, is extremely accurate, as the measurements can be quantified to 1/10th of 1% and 1/10th of a milligram and measured in parts per billion.

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How are cannabis products tested?

Cannabis products are tested through a number of quantitative ​testing measures and analytical instruments, including HPLC/UV, GC/MS, and ICP/MS.

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Do cannabis products need to be tested?

Yes. In order to meet state requirements for sale, licensees must remain in regulatory compliance with that state’s department of health or governing body. In Florida, that regulatory body is the Office of Medical Marijuana Use, and it operates under the Florida Department of Health. Along with comprehensive and compliant analytical test panels, ACS also offers a la cart R&D testing services. Select from our wide range of tests to help develop your premium-quality medical cannabis products.

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How often should I test my hemp crop?

This is more common than expected, as many farmers are new to this industry. For each individual hemp plant variety, ACS Laboratory recommends following the most common advice in the industry: Test your hemp crop every week once the flower phase begins.

We also have the ability to do pre-harvesting soil/elemental analysis and pre-harvest R+D testing. Soil to Oil: ACS Laboratory meets and exceeds ALL testing needs. Keep in mind that hemp is an extremely sensitive plant, and compounds within the plant can react in unpredictable ways to your soil, crop maintenance, weather and other variables. To protect your crop and yourself, testing provides the insight needed.

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Are there federal regulations for testing mushrooms?

The federal government designates psilocybin mushrooms to be a Schedule 1 controlled substance that has no medicinal value and therefore there are no federal regulations designed for testing mushrooms. Because psilocybin and psilocin are Schedule 1 substances, handling or possessing them without DEA authorization is a federal crime and punishable under law. However, the DEA does afford companies the ability to apply for federal psilocybin registration. Under this regulation, a company can be allowed to conduct any of seven activities, including manufacturing, distribution, reverse distribution, research, import, export, and chemical analyses.

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Do I need a license to grow mushrooms?

Yes, to grow psychedelic mushrooms in the United States, the company must be approved for federal psilocybin regulation with the DEA or in a state with a regulatory agency set up to govern the use of mushrooms, such as Oregon. In order to grow functional mushrooms, cultivators do not typically need a license.

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What are Functional Mushrooms tested for?

Functional Mushrooms can be tested for  Pesticides (FL -list and action levels), Mycotoxins (FL list and action levels), Residual Solvents for Extracts (FL list and action levels), Heavy metals (FL list and action levels), Microbiological (FL Compliance 1), Water activity and moisture (useable)What kind of mushroom products can you test?We analyze and test a variety of common mushrooms, finished products, and delivery vehicles, including dried, chocolates, tinctures, gummies, and capsules.

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What are Magic mushrooms tested for?

Psychedelic Mushrooms are tested for the potency of Psilocybin, Psilocin ,Harmine, Harmane, Baeocystin, Norbaeocystin, Norpsilocin, Aeruginascin, 4-hydroxy TMT. They can also be tested for  1. Pesticides (FL -list and action levels) 2. Mycotoxins (FL list and action levels) 3. Residual Solvents for Extracts (FL list and action levels) 4. Heavy metals (4) (FL list and action levels) 5. Microbiological (FL Compliance 1) 6. Water activity and moisture (useable).

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How accurate is mushroom testing?

Potency testing, for psilocybin, psilocin, and quantification for other active compounds and amino acids, is extremely accurate when quantifying a lower dose, as well as in larger dosages, as the measurements can be quantified to 1/10th of 1% and 1/10th of a milligram and measured in parts per billion.

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How are mushroom products tested?

Mushroom products are tested through a number of quantitative ​testing measures and analytical instruments, including HPLC/MSMS/HPLCUV, GC/MS, and ICP/MS.

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Do mushroom products need to be tested?

Yes. In order to meet state requirements for sale in Oregon, licensees must remain in regulatory compliance with the state’s governing body. In addition, analytical testing is integral to understanding and conveying the quality and contents of your mushrooms. Along with comprehensive and compliant analytical test panels, ACS also offers a la cart R&D testing services for Functional Mushrooms. Select from our wide range of tests to help develop your premium-quality medical mushroom products.

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Where are you located?

ACS Laboratory is located just south of Tampa, FL at

ACS Laboratory
721 Cortaro Drive

Sun City Center, FL 33575

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How do I start testing with ACS Laboratory?

Please click the “Start Testing” button or fill out the form on our website and one of our account specialists will reach out to you ASAP to get you any and all information and forms needed to set up an account with ACS Laboratory and submit samples to us.

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What kinds of analytical testing does ACS Laboratory offer?

ACS Laboratory offers a comprehensive array of test panels from Potency Testing, Heavy Metals and Pesticides, to specialized tests such as Flavonoids and Plant Regulators.

Test Panels: Potency Testing (23 cannabinoids)

Pesticide Testing (67 analytes)

Residual Solvent Testing (11 analytes)

Microbiology Testing (ACS Laboratory has FIVE different Microbiology panels to choose from in order to suit your needs: Microarray, PCR Pathogenic, Total Bacterial Count, Standard Petrifilm and Listeria.)

‍Mycotoxins (5 analytes)

Heavy Metals (4 analytes)

Terpenes (38 analytes)

Flavonoids (16 analytes)

Micronutrients

Moisture Activity

Water Activity

Plant Regulators

Filth and Foreign Material

Vitamin E Acetate (*ONLY FOR VAPES FOR HEMP PRODUCTS)

Custom R&D Development (Inquire)

Custom Method Development (Inquire)

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What type of products can you test?

For THC testing for licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers in the state of Florida, we can test ANY product on the shelf such as whole smokable flower and pre-rolls, topicals and tinctures, vape pens, transdermal patches, and many more.

For CBD products, we can test ANY type of product from tinctures to bath bombs, and we even have the ability to test for nano capabilities in specialized products such as nano drinks and tinctures. We can test any type of CBD or hemp-extracted finished product, we just ask that you send a finished product to us so we can give you the most accurate representation of your finished-product fill weight.

For hemp farmers and plants, we can test anything from SOIL to OIL. We can do elemental analysis of the soil for contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, micronutrients and more. We can test biomass, hemp plant material and hemp/CBD buds.

For CBD products, we can test ANY type of product from tinctures to bath bombs (if you would like!), and we even have the ability to test for nano capabilities in specialized products such as nano drinks and tinctures. We can test any type of CBD or hemp-extracted finished product, we just ask that you send a finished product to us so we can give you the most accurate representation of your finished-product fill weight.

For hemp farmers and plants, we can test anything from SOIL to OIL. We can do an elemental analysis of the soil for contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, micronutrients and more. We test Edibles, Topicals, Transdermal, Inhalers, and Beverages.

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What are the differences between regulatory compliant testing and research and development (R&D) testing?

R&D Testing is different from compliance testing, as R&D is considered unreportable, in which companies test their products in raw material form, pre-packaging or pre-harvest to get a greater insight into the levels in their ingredients and products. R&D Testing also can be research and development of new technology, formulations and methodology in order to advance products and testing standards in the marketplace. For example, testing your oils throughout the production stage to understand at which point contaminants, solvents, or any other potential harmful substances may be coming into contact with your materials.

Compliance Testing has become increasingly more strict and necessary recently, as states now require companies to test their finished products for potency (label verification) as well as contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, mycotoxins, microbiology such as mold, mildew, E. coli, salmonella, aspergillus, total yeast and mold, and more. Compliance tests typically include water activity, and filth and foreign materials visual inspection as well.

For industrial hemp and CBD products, compliance tests are regulated state by state and have a common verbiage of the need for the THC level to be <0.3%. State compliance tests are sent back to the state’s governing board to ensure full transparency.

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I'm not near ACS Laboratory. What other ways can I get my sample to you?

The Florida MMTC’s need to sign off on a chain of custody form means you must be able to drop off samples to our laboratory or give them to our courier driver at your location.

Hemp & CBD clients can send NATIONWIDE via USPS, FedEx or UPS direct to our laboratory location just south of Tampa, FL. We just ask that you fill out the New Client Form & Order Form properly, sign off, and provide this to us with your samples either electronically or in-box with the samples.

We provide FREE NATIONWIDE UPS pickups for hemp & CBD clients. We just ask that it not be for one sample, as ACS Laboratory incurs the shipping cost. TO INQUIRE ABOUT THIS, CALL US!

Lab Address:

ACS Laboratory

721 Cortaro Dr.

Sun City Center, FL 33573

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How much of my samples do I need to send in?

A sampling requirements chart is available here for all states except Colorado.

For Colorado please see this chart.

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I just submitted my first samples to ACS Lab. Now what?

You will receive your results via email to the addresses on file. You will receive your Certificate of Analysis in PDF form with a unique identifying QR code on each report. This QR code is hosted on ACS Laboratory servers for maximum transparency to the client and end consumer, as it cannot be altered in this format.

This QR code can be used on your labels to be scanned, pulling up the PDF COA on our servers from product labels.

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What does the 2018 Farm Bill mean for shipping/selling CBD?

President Donald Trump’s signature on the 2018 Farm Bill ended hemp prohibition as we know it. Hemp is now considered an agricultural commodity such as corn and lettuce.

Please refer to our Farm Bill blog for information regarding the changes in legality regarding CBD and hemp. Please also refer to the USPS Master Postman letter.

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How can I use labels on my packaging?

Labeling is the final piece of the puzzle. As stated above, unique QR codes are provided with each and every report to enable full transparency.

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How do I get help interpreting my results?

Please feel free to reach out to ANY of our ACS Laboratory customer service/account managers, who would be more than happy to review your results and answer any questions you may have.

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What are some tests ACS Laboratory can do that is outside of the normal scope?

ACS Laboratory prides itself on our in-house method development and continues to push the industry standards for compliance testing and ensuring product safety. ACS Laboratory has shown this by developing methods for testing Roundup (glyphosate), vitamin E acetate for vapes, and soil & elemental analysis inclusive of pesticides, heavy metals, micronutrients and plant regulators.

Please inquire about our R&D opportunities and method development for any outstanding testing needs you may have.

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What is the difference between an isolate and full-spectrum product?

Full-spectrum hemp and CBD raw materials & products contain more cannabinoids and other natural compounds, while CBD isolate is solely the CBD cannabinoid without any others. Full-spectrum CBD oil products have the advantage of containing many different cannabinoids and terpenes.