Starting April 21st, 2025, the Division of Cannabis Control has altered the testing standards for THC and terpenes in marijuana.

No longer will moisture levels be accounted for during testing. What this means moving forward is that the listed THC and terpene percentages will be lower with flower, vapes and extracts. No need to fear, it’s still the same actual amount of THC and terpenes in the products, it’s just that the testing standards have changed which leads to lower readings.

This makes you wonder how consistent THC and terpene percentages are with testing labs across the nation. Would the exact same cut of cannabis test lower in Ohio than it would in Oregon? Would it test different for North Coast Analytical Laboratories than it would for Smithers Cannabis Testing Services?

While on the topic of accuracy, on cannabis packaging I often see the phrase “Actual THC percentages can vary by plus or minus ten percent”. So the flower that you are smoking that is supposedly 30% THC might actually only be 20% THC. In my opinion, with the right terpene profile and grow techniques, a 20% THC flower can actually hit stronger than a 30% THC strain that has low terps and a poor cure job.

This also makes you think that Ohio will now be able to offer more potent marijuana in general, which is a win for stoners. For example, something that would have formerly been deemed too strong to sell at 40% THC might now test at a passable level of 35% THC.