Every can of THC seltzer makes a promise on the label: this many milligrams, derived from hemp, free of the things you don't want. A certificate of analysis — the COA — is how you check whether that promise is true. It is the single most useful document in the entire hemp beverage category, and most people never look at one. This guide changes that.
What a COA Actually Is
A certificate of analysis is a lab report produced by an independent, third-party testing facility. A brand sends a sample of a specific production batch to a lab that has no stake in the outcome, and the lab measures what is actually in it — how much THC and CBD, and whether anything harmful came along for the ride.
The key word is independent. A number printed on a can is a marketing claim. A number on a third-party COA is a measurement. When the two match, you have a brand worth trusting. When a brand cannot show you a COA at all, you have your answer about their standards.
At Floral, every batch is tested and the results are published — a direct consequence of being vertically integrated: we grow, extract, and can under one roof, so there is no link in the chain we cannot account for.
The Six Things to Check on Any COA
Your COA Checklist
1. The batch / lot number
A COA describes one specific batch — not the product in general. Match the lot number on the report to the lot number on your can. A report that does not name a batch is not telling you about the can in your hand.
2. The testing lab and date
Look for the name of an accredited third-party lab (often ISO/IEC 17025 accredited) and a recent test date. A lab logo, contact details, and an authorized signature should all be present.
3. Cannabinoid potency
The headline numbers: Delta-9 THC and CBD per serving (and per package). These should be reported in milligrams and should match the label within a small tolerance. This is also where you confirm the product is at or below 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight — the federal hemp threshold.
4. Pesticides
Hemp is a bioaccumulator — it pulls whatever is in the soil up into the plant. A clean COA shows pesticide screening with results marked "Pass" or "ND" (not detected). This is where soil-to-can sourcing matters.
5. Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. Same bioaccumulation concern as pesticides. You want to see each one screened and passing.
6. Residual solvents & microbials
Extraction can leave solvent traces behind; poor handling can introduce mold or bacteria. A complete COA screens for both. "Pass" across the board is what you are looking for.
Reading the Potency Section Line by Line
The potency table is where most people get lost, so here is the plain-English version.
Total THC vs. Delta-9 THC. You may see both. "Total THC" accounts for THCA converting to THC, but for a finished beverage the number that matters for your experience is the active Delta-9 THC per serving. If a can says 5mg, the COA should confirm roughly 5mg of Delta-9 THC per serving.
"LOQ" and "ND." LOQ means "limit of quantification" — the smallest amount the lab can reliably measure. "ND" means "not detected." For contaminants, ND is exactly what you want to see. For cannabinoids you are paying for, you want a real, quantified number.
Per serving vs. per package. Always confirm which one you are reading. A 4-pack tested "per package" will show a number four times larger than the per-serving dose. Floral reports per serving so the math matches the experience you will actually have — and if you are still calibrating your serving, our THC drink dosage chart walks through what each milligram tier feels like.
Red Flags That Should Make You Pause
A COA is only as trustworthy as its completeness. Watch for these:
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No batch number, or a batch that doesn't match your can. The report may be real but describing a different production run.
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An old test date with no recent updates. Reputable brands re-test every batch, not once a year.
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Potency only — no contaminant panels. Testing for THC but not for pesticides or heavy metals tells you what a brand is comfortable hiding.
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No lab name, logo, or signature. A screenshot of numbers is not a certificate.
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A label number that the COA doesn't support. If the can says 10mg and the COA says 6mg, believe the COA.
Why This Matters More in Hemp Than Almost Anywhere Else
The hemp beverage category is young and lightly regulated compared to alcohol. That creates room for excellent, transparent operators — and room for products that cut corners on sourcing and testing. The COA is the great equalizer. It lets you, the buyer, verify quality directly instead of taking a brand's word for it.
For a deeper look at what those ingredients are once they pass testing, see our companion guide on what's actually in a THC seltzer. And if you are new to the category entirely, start with what THC drinks are.
See the Receipts
Floral publishes a batch-tested COA for every product — grown, extracted, and canned on our family farm in Gas City, Indiana. Nothing to hide, everything to show.
Shop Lab-Tested Floral
Floral beverages are made with hemp-derived Delta-9 THC and are legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. Must be 21 or older to purchase. Please consume responsibly. Never drive under the influence of THC.
