The Truth About THC Analysis: A Closer Look at THC Numbers in Arizona

A recent report from AZ Central claims that certain cannabis producers and certain cannabis laboratories are inflating THC percentages to increase profits. But is this a scandal, or just a misunderstanding of how cannabis testing and sales actually work? While the report raises concerns, it fails to address key variables in THC testing, as well as the industry’s ridiculous obsession with THC numbers in general.

THC vs. THCA: The Numbers Game

First, we can’t talk about THC without talking about THCA—the acidic form of THC that dominates fresh cannabis before consumption. When labs test cannabis immediately after harvest, they measure THCA based on the plant’s weight. However, once dried and cured, the numbers are recalculated due to moisture loss, which naturally concentrates cannabinoids. For this reason, dry weight tested cannabis should have a moisture content between 9%-12%, even though this number is not legally enforced.

The AZ Central report suggests companies are using an exaggerated dry weight of the plant to calculate THC percentages, implying that this boosts THC values. But here’s the thing: this isn’t misleading—it’s standard practice. Nearly every cannabis producer calculates THC content post-drying, as that’s how the product is actually consumed. The report fails to acknowledge that THCA must be converted through heat—a process called decarboxylation—before it becomes the THC that gets you high.

There's no way for a lab to actually test how much THC is in any cannabis sample. Active THC levels in cannabis flowers are minimal, usually less than 1%, until heat releases the acid (A) from the THC-A molecule group.

So how does THC testing work?

If THC calculations are not provided on the cannabis package label, then take the THCA lab percentage and multiply by .877. About 88% of the acid group THCA is convertible to activated THC.

THC = (THCA %) x .877

Inaccuracies between THC versus THCA on packaging is industry-wide. This is not specific to any state, wholesaler or laboratory. The main cause is lack of legislation due to ignorance about how marijuana should be quality graded and labeled. I believe THCA content, THC,  total cannabinoids, AND TOP 3 TERPENES should be included on every flower package. This is the system I learned to follow by Nevada law and the most transparent I've seen of any state packaging requirement.

If you were to eat raw cannabis, you wouldn’t get the same effect as smoking it because much of the THCA wouldn’t convert. Some will still metabolize in digestion, but the experience is completely different from inhaling activated THC. Yet, dispensaries and consumers continue to chase high THC numbers, not realizing that what they’re really seeing on labels is a projection, not a guarantee of potency.

The Real Issue: A Broken Market Perception

The real problem isn’t any single brand—it’s the way the market is structured around THC percentages. Both wholesale buyers and retail consumers are conditioned to believe that more THC equals better cannabis, when in reality, it doesn’t work that way.

Arizona dispensary shelves regularly display cannabis labeled at 35% THC or higher, but let’s be honest: that’s simply not happening. No Arizona-grown cannabis has ever competed with the best in markets like Northern California, Oregon, or Washington. The idea that THC percentage alone determines quality is flawed, and the AZ Central report does nothing to correct this misconception.

In regions with true craft cannabis culture, bud grading systems like AA, AAA, and AAAA+ are used instead of THC numbers. These ratings account for factors like trichome density, terpene complexity, and overall cannabinoid content. A top-tier AAAA+ bud isn’t the best because it has the highest THC—it’s the best because of its effects, aroma, flavor, and entourage effect.

If Arizona’s cannabis industry intends to mature, it needs to move beyond THC fixation. The sooner we stop treating THC as the only measure of quality, the sooner we’ll see a more honest and sophisticated market.

Final Takeaway: Lab Reports Aren’t Quality Reports

Cannabis laboratory testing exists to ensure products are safe for consumption—free from pesticides, mold, and harmful additives. That’s the real value of lab testing. But when it comes to THC percentages, these numbers are more about compliance than true quality assessment.

Remember that THC percentages are just one piece of the puzzle. If you really want to know if your cannabis is potent, start reading terpene profiles and focusing on how they make you feel. Because at the end of the day, TERPENES are a building block in every living plant and food around us.