How to Read a Lab Report: Verifying Real THCA vs Sprayed Hemp

With so many hemp products hitting the shelves, consumers need more than flashy branding to know what they’re buying. One of the most important tools for transparency is the COA (Certificate of Analysis)—a lab report showing what’s really in your flower. But here’s the catch: not all THCA flower is created equal. Some sellers are passing off sprayed hemp as high-potency product. If you want to avoid bunk flower and buy with confidence, this guide breaks down how to read a lab report and spot real THCA every time.

Why This Matters

Sprayed hemp is made by coating low-THC CBD flower with Delta-8, Delta-9, or THCA distillate. It may test high in THC/THCA, but the flower itself isn’t naturally potent—it’s just been chemically altered.

Real THCA flower, on the other hand, is grown to produce high THCA levels in the plant’s natural trichomes, not added after the fact.

Sprayed flower can:

• Burn harshly

• Smell or taste off

• Trigger legal risks

• Mislead consumers

What to Look for on a COA (Lab Report)

Here are the key sections that help you identify real vs. sprayed flower:

✅ Cannabinoid Profile

• Total THCA should be high (15–30%)

• Delta-9 THC should be under 0.3% (to remain hemp-compliant)

• CBD should be very low or nearly undetectable

Sprayed flower often starts with high-CBD content. If you see both high CBD and high THCA, it’s a red flag.

✅ Terpene Profile

Real THCA flower will have a robust terpene spectrum—multiple terpenes like myrcene, limonene, and caryophyllene in meaningful quantities (1.5–3% total).

Sprayed hemp often has little to no terpene content.

✅ Moisture Content / Appearance

Look for accompanying notes or documentation on:

• Moisture %: Real flower should be in a normal cured range (8–12%)

• Visuals: Some COAs include photos of sample material

Sprayed flower may appear oily, overly shiny, or unevenly coated.

Red Flags on a Lab Report

• High CBD + high THCA = likely sprayed

• Missing terpene profile

• No lab accreditation or batch number

• Distillate source mentioned

• Inconsistent COA data across batches

Tips for Verifying Your Product

• Always ask for a full-panel COA (not just cannabinoids)

• Check the lab’s name and license number

• Cross-reference QR codes or links to confirm authenticity

• Compare COA to the strain’s known genetics—if it’s usually a CBD strain but shows 28% THCA, something’s off

The Bottom Line

Not all THCA flower is legit. Some is genuinely grown, rich in terpenes and cannabinoids. Some is sprayed, low-grade filler with a high-labeled number.

Learn to read a lab report and you’ll never get burned again.

FAQ: Lab Reports & Sprayed Hemp

Q: Can you tell if flower is sprayed just by looking at it?
A: Sometimes—it may look shiny, sticky, or unnaturally dense. But a lab report is the most reliable way.

Q: Is sprayed hemp legal?
A: It’s a gray area. Many jurisdictions consider sprayed flower non-compliant, especially if total THC exceeds limits.

Q: Do all legit brands publish full-panel COAs?
A: The best ones do. Look for COAs with cannabinoids, terpenes, moisture content, and safety testing.

Q: What’s a full-panel test?
A: A COA that includes not just cannabinoids, but also terpenes, pesticides, heavy metals, mycotoxins, and more.

Q: Is it safe to smoke sprayed hemp?
A: It may contain residual solvents or distillate contaminants. It’s not recommended if you value quality or safety.