# Testing for THC **URL:** \ **Category:** Meters & Tools\ **Created:** [December 12, 2022, 11:07pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134 "2022-12-12T23:07:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![72Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/dc4da7/32.png) [@72Rover](https://ilgmforum.com/u/72Rover)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2022, 11:07pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134/1 "2022-12-12T23:07:03Z")
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… ---
**Author:** ![Fieldofdreams](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/fieldofdreams/32/688813_2.png) [@Fieldofdreams](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Fieldofdreams)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2022, 11:56pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134/2 "2022-12-12T23:56:03Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/9/8/9/989728a5ab7220cd3914a70eb4a20a4665ba3f3b.jpeg) Hey @Newt is this the brand you use? ---
**Author:** ![beardless](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/beardless/32/275814_2.png) [@beardless](https://ilgmforum.com/u/beardless)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2022, 11:57pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134/3 "2022-12-12T23:57:31Z")
Google THC Potency test keep the 10K ---
**Author:** ![Newt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/newt/32/688722_2.png) [@Newt](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Newt)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 12:05pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134/4 "2022-12-13T12:05:54Z")
It is. And if you get it from tcheck dot me, you can use code Check15, for 15% off. ---
**Author:** ![72Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/dc4da7/32.png) [@72Rover](https://ilgmforum.com/u/72Rover)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 3:36pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134/5 "2022-12-13T15:36:01Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Newt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/newt/32/688722_2.png) [@Newt](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Newt)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 3:55pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134/6 "2022-12-13T15:55:46Z")
The add-on adds: - – Scale - – 1 100 mL bottle of reagent - – 10 .22um filters - – 1 10 mL syringes - – 10 1 mL syringes - – 3 sample containers - – 3 concentrate spoons - – 1 Swizzle stick - – 2 AAA batteries - – 1 Getting Started Guide 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) ---
**Author:** ![JaneQP](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/janeqp/32/555131_2.png) [@JaneQP](https://ilgmforum.com/u/JaneQP)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 4:31pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134/7 "2022-12-13T16:31:24Z")
@72Rover I am a retired chemist myself. I have been thinking about THC testing myself and scour the reused equipment sites. Best to you. ---
**Author:** ![TT](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/tt/32/593931_2.png) [@TT](https://ilgmforum.com/u/TT)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 3:31am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134/8 "2022-12-15T03:31:17Z")
Where is this used equipment site 🤔🤪 ---
**Author:** ![Woodrow](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/woodrow/32/450412_2.png) [@Woodrow](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Woodrow)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 10:51am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134/9 "2022-12-15T10:51:08Z")
I don’t smoke so I just ask my smoker friends to test it for me.so far no complaints. Wish I did know the thc content of my grows. ---
**Author:** ![JaneQP](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/janeqp/32/555131_2.png) [@JaneQP](https://ilgmforum.com/u/JaneQP)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 3:20pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134/10 "2022-12-15T15:20:58Z")
LabX is one but there are also government and state auction sites. ---
**Author:** ![72Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/dc4da7/32.png) [@72Rover](https://ilgmforum.com/u/72Rover)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 9:00pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134/11 "2022-12-15T21:00:23Z")
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… ---
**Author:** ![Newt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/newt/32/688722_2.png) [@Newt](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Newt)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2022, 12:30pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134/12 "2022-12-16T12:30:08Z")
> **[Isopropyl Alcohol 99.9% - ACS Reagent Grade - 1 Quart - 32 FL Oz Bottle - High...](https://www.amazon.com/Isopropyl-Alcohol-99-9-Alliance-Chemical/dp/B09KMC35PQ?tag=ilovegrowingm-20)** > > Isopropyl Alcohol 99.9% - ACS Reagent Grade - 1 Quart - 32 FL Oz Bottle - High Purity Lab Grade Rubbing Alcohol - Made in America - Alliance Chemical: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific ---
**Author:** ![Took1-4theteam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Took1-4theteam](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Took1-4theteam)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 12:30am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134/13 "2022-12-18T00:30:57Z")
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 . ---
**Author:** ![TeNNWisKeY](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/tennwiskey/32/730110_2.png) [@TeNNWisKeY](https://ilgmforum.com/u/TeNNWisKeY)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 1:09am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134/14 "2022-12-18T01:09:29Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![fp420](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/fp420/32/868094_2.png) [@fp420](https://ilgmforum.com/u/fp420)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 8:01am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134/15 "2023-05-16T08:01:58Z")
By all means, get one of these testers if you want. But it may be money not well spent. All testing equipment needs to either have reference to a constant (like the speed of light for example) or be calibrated (ie: compared) to a known reference point - another tester or material of known spec. The later is typically how you would calibrate your PH pen. I don’t know the specifics of these testers but unless they come with a calibration cert or some sort of reputable endorsement, the number it gives could mean anything. ---
**Author:** ![Nicky](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/nicky/32/397422_2.png) [@Nicky](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Nicky)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 2:39pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134/16 "2023-05-16T14:39:25Z")
Here is a better bang for your buck > [@Thin Layer Chromatography - Review](https://ilgmforum.com/t/thin-layer-chromatography-review/59099): > > @Teacherttom1 @Nicky So, I got everything to test potency using thin layer chromatography. Here’s what I found so far. Buying a kit is nice because everything is there and ready. Now that I understand the process I would buy most of the stuff separate so I could buy some better quality pieces. Also, I ended up buying a pipette to dispense 1-5ml of liquid instead of using the syringe that came with the kit. The kit came with a .5-10ul pipette but there is also a need for the … ---
**Author:** ![72Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/dc4da7/32.png) [@72Rover](https://ilgmforum.com/u/72Rover)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 4:37pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134/17 "2023-05-16T16:37:00Z")
Excellent… How much was the kit? A half century ago when I was a lab tech in a big hospital, I typically used electrophoresis to measure serum proteins, hemoglobin types and cholesterol levels. Spent a full summer doing research using chromatography to predict Schizophrenia by using patterns of amino acids. It was pretty cool, except for the solvent, pyridine, which is the nastiest-smelling stuff on the planet. I’ll check out the kit… Thanks ---
**Author:** ![72Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/dc4da7/32.png) [@72Rover](https://ilgmforum.com/u/72Rover)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 4:56pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134/18 "2023-05-16T16:56:30Z")
About $140 for the cheapest kit… But the technique is very similar as to what I used to do sorting amino acids, except it used plain, cheap filter paper sheets. It was almost psychedelic when ninhydrin was sprayed on the dried filter paper. Ohhh…,the colors… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Nicky](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/nicky/32/397422_2.png) [@Nicky](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Nicky)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 6:37pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/testing-for-thc/96134/19 "2023-05-16T18:37:39Z")
I suggest you read the review. @emgoldslo had suggested other people get better quality items themselves and build their own kit, then get the things needed from the supplier that were more proprietary