Ohio’s Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) implemented new rules for how cannabis potency is tested and reported in April. Moving away from the previously standard dry-weight adjusted reporting, the state now requires labs to report potency “as received”—that is, with the natural moisture of the sample intact.
This shift was prompted by concerns that traditional dry-weight calculations were not only inconsistent across testing facilities, but also scientifically unsuited to cannabis testing and in some cases led to over-drying, which could distort actual potency values.
What Changed with Cannabis Potency Testing in Ohio?
- Potency reported “as received”: All cannabinoid and terpene levels must now be reported without correcting for moisture content. The shift means test results will reflect the flower exactly as it was received and tested, moisture and all.
- Updated formulas for THC and CBD totals:
- Total THC = Δ9 THC + Δ8 THC + (Δ9 THCA × 0.877)
- Total CBD = CBD + (CBDA × 0.877)
- THCV must now be reported separately, rather than included in total cannabinoid values.
- Additional guidance on THC content is here.
- Testing laboratories must test and report into Metrc the results for CBD and CBDA and include those results in the calculation of Total CBD Content. Testing laboratories must also test and report into Metrc the results for CBN but shall not include CBN in the calculation of Total CBD Content. Reporting of any other calculated results, including other “Total Cannabinoids” or “Total Terpenes,” is prohibited at this time.
- Ban on over-drying samples: The change addresses concerns that dry-weight methods could lead to over-drying of flower, which violates O.A.C. 3796:4-2-08, the rule prohibiting sample prep that yields results unrepresentative of the full lot or batch.
- Alignment with USP recommendations: The DCC is aligning with U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) best practices, which recommend that laboratories report cannabinoid and terpene values “as received” to reflect the product more accurately and consistently.
- Pesticide Reporting Requirements: If a testing laboratory detects a pesticide that is not on the Division’s approved pesticide list or a solvent that is not listed in the Residual Solvent Threshold Guidance, the lab must notify the Division immediately. The cultivator or processor from which the sample was taken for analysis must also notify the Division immediately upon receipt of any testing analysis results in which an unapproved pesticide or solvent is reported.
- Lab compliance deadlines: All licensed labs were required to submit updated standard operating procedures (SOPs) reflecting the new method by April 21, 2025, and any samples collected after that date must follow the new process. This means that patients and consumers will soon begin to see cannabis products in their local dispensaries that were tested using the new system.
Why Wet vs. Dry Matters in Potency Testing
In cannabis, moisture content has a significant effect on lab-reported potency. Here’s how the two approaches compare:
- Dry-Weight Testing: Moisture is removed (sometimes aggressively), which artificially inflates THC or CBD percentages—sometimes by as much as 10-15%.
- As-Received Testing: Potency is reported including the natural water weight of the flower, more closely reflecting what consumers purchase and use.
Traditional dry-weight formulas used by some Ohio labs weren’t designed for cannabis and led to inconsistencies across test results. Over-drying risks skewing actual results by yielding cannabinoid numbers that don’t accurately reflect the product on dispensary shelves.
Industry Response: Galenas, Labs & Retail
Several Ohio stakeholders have weighed in:
- Galenas, an Ohio cultivator known for transparency and sustainability, voiced support for the change on their Instagram this week. Their post stated that the extra moisture brings down the reported potency and overall cannabinoid levels on the label. They note that starting with any batches of flower tested from May 2025, “You might notice slightly lower numbers or a bit more variation in results.” They go on to explain, “That’s totally normal – moisture levels can shift a little from batch to batch, and that plays into the final test results… we know potency matters to a lot of people, but flowr quality goes beyond just numbers. So don’t stress too much if the test results look a little different in the coming weeks.”
- ACT LAB acknowledged the new method publicly and noted their readiness to comply through updated SOPs and educational outreach to clients. A statement from ACT LAB emphasized that the change brings Ohio testing more in line with national pharmaceutical standards.
- Pure Ohio Wellness has posted customer education materials in-store and online to reassure patients that “lower numbers” on packaging don’t mean the product is less potent—only that it’s being labeled more accurately.
Advocate and Consumer Reactions
On Reddit, patient advocates and industry cultivators have been digging into the science behind the change:
- Threads on r/OhioMarijuana and r/microgrowery have explored how moisture affects both lab results and consumer perception. One user remarked, “Finally, a move that values accuracy over hype. Dry weight THC numbers were just a marketing tool.”
- Some community growers pointed out that the issue mirrors the long-standing dry-trim vs. wet-trim debate—where dry trim tends to concentrate terpenes while wet-trimmed buds may show slightly higher cannabinoid values. This nuance underscores how moisture dynamics complicate any effort to fairly and consistently evaluate flower.
What This Means for Ohio Patients and Consumers
- Don’t panic if your favorite strain now reads 18% THC instead of 22%—nothing about the actual flower has changed.
- Dosing remains consistent, and product prices are still based on weight and quality—not just raw numbers.
- The updated labeling offers more reliable information to guide patients in choosing the right medicine for their needs.
Other Regulatory News of Interest
On July 8th, The Division of Cannabis Control issued a substantial recall on packaging products from the processor BeneLeaves. The Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) has packaging requirements that requires all cannabis sold in Ohio dispensaries to be packaged in child-resistant packaging. All licensees of the division are accountable to follow all rules and regulations as part of their Certificate of Operation from the division, according to DCC spokesperson James Crawford, who further explained what happened in this case.
A customer who purchased the product reported that the packaging did not appear to be child-resistant, prompting the DCC to investigate and issue the recall, Crawford said. “In the course of that investigation, the division discovered this processor substituted the rule-compliant packaging they had notified the division they would use for this product, with a cheaper non-compliant package from their vendor.”
Crawford issued this statement as well: “It should be noted that public health and safety remain our top priority, and we regulate packaging to ensure it is child-resistant, clearly marked with THC warnings, and not misleading or appealing to children. Preventing access to cannabis products by minors is critical to protecting their health and safety.”
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