Is there any relatively inexpensive way to test for actual THC content? All of the ‘testers’ I have found on the web are for testing job-related urine samples. These are simple positive/negative results, not an accurate measurement.
A half-century ago, I was a chemistry major and lab tech at a big-city hospital. I was used to using very sophisticated - and expensive - analysis equipment. This year, I grew four different strains, and I am curious about actual potency. (Yeah, they are all very good…) But I’d like to know just how good, which lived up to the hype, and I don’t happen to have ten grand lying around for a good, used gas chromatograph.
This might be a good business opportunity - if you happen to have a spare ten grand…
Mind you, there are two versions of the T-Check 2 kit. The $300 one does clear extractions, while the $400 does buds.( I think that the difference is the nifty grams scale.) When doing a quantitative analysis, you need to know precisely the volume - or weight - of the sample being tested.
I recall a little test kit for weed circa 1969. It was in a small plastic box, much like a soil or pH test kit, in that it was colormetric. It included a solvent, a reagent and a stain, and could tell you if your stash was great, or Mexican ditch weed… or oregano. With full legalization and retail sales, I can see that an independent testing service might be a profitable side-hustle.
But all you really need is a precise scale, a syringe, and filter and re-agent grade 99.9& isopropyl, Nothing in the expansion kit is special, and can be had from the place that used to be an on-line book store.
(Which is where I get my consumables - reagent, syringes, and filters)
I’ve done several web searches on THC potency testing, all of which returned kits and such. None mentioned the actual methodology. The T-Check 2 appears to use a colorimeter; the lower priced one is for extracts, which can work by volume. The higher priced one is for actual weed, with filter paper included after solvent extraction. I could probably build my own - if I knew what solvents or reagents were involved. Newt mentioned 99% isopropanol which would be the solvent. In the hospital, we used to use USP-grade ethanol by the drum. 95% was used for rinsing lab glassware; the 100% (200 proof) ‘absolute’ ethanol was used as a solvent. Untaxed, it was cheaper than milk…
I just take mine down to the local hydroponic shop to have tested. Typically charge 20 bucks but I just threw them a little handful of bud for helping me through my first grow anyway. They didn’t charge me a dime .
I test mine the old fashion way. No numbers i use more of a 1 to 10 scale of my personal thoughts on smell, taste and buzz. Plus i usually ask a couple friends their opinions. So far the best stuff ive grown i would give an 8. Always room for improvement.
