To determine the best cannabidiol (CBD) products available on the market and provide Forbes Health readers with the highest level of quality assurance, Forbes Health editors collaborated with Nova Analytic Labs to conduct product testing.
After Forbes Health editors ranked and finalized the list of Best CBD Products for 2024 across multiple categories, they sent samples of each product to Nova Analytic Labs for third-party testing for ingredient potency, safety, and quality. The lab provides Forbes Health with the same proprietary Certificate of Analysis (COA) provided by each ranked CBD brand, adding another layer of transparency and quality to the products we recommend.
Nova Analytic Labs is a licensed and certified hemp and cannabis analytical testing facility located in Portland, Maine. With over 15 years of experience and 100,000 tests performed, the lab offers 25 types of cannabis testing, including:
Determining the cannabis profile (provides an analysis of the cannabinoids present)Detecting pesticides, viruses, heavy metals, filth and foreign matterDetecting residual solventsDetermining the gender of cannabisIn-process testing for research and developmentTerpene profileFacility and environmental testingWater activity and moisture testingHomogeneity testingStability testingHop latent viroid (HIVd) testing
Nova Analytic Labs maintains sampling protocols established in the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) Sampling Guidance and adheres to the standards, rules and regulations of the state's adult-use program. Cannabis guidelines and regulations vary by state, and CBD may differ as it is not federally regulated. Learn more about CBD legalization by state here.
The COA provided by Nova Analytic Labs contains detailed measurements for each element tested, including detection levels and quantification specifications. The lab uses the following terminology to clearly describe the test results:
Limit of Detection (LOD) refers to the limit at which an element must be detected in a test. The laboratory can detect the presence of the compound at this limit. This limit is measured in parts per billion. Limit of Quantitation (LOQ) provides a numerical result for the presence of a particular test element. The number the element must report at or above to detect how much is present in a sample. This indication is measured in parts per billion depending on the test. Below Limit of Quantitation ( ) indicates that the laboratory can detect the presence, but the detection value is not high enough to say with confidence how much of the element is present. Not Detected (ND) indicates that the element was not detected at or above the limit of detection.
Meet Our Experts
The Nova Analytics Lab team that tests our best CBD product rankings includes experts in:
Ian Leonard
Mycologist I
At Nova Analytic Labs, Leonard primarily works on microbiology analysis (research testing to determine the composition and quality of a sample). This includes identifying various microorganisms, viruses, plant sexing, and fungal species. He consults with clients on plant health and environmental contamination. Additionally, Leonard performs mycotoxin testing and residual solvent analysis on client product samples.
CJ Langley
Microbiology Laboratory Director/Scientist II
Langley has a BS in Botany and an MS in Ecology and Environmental Science from the University of Maine and four years of experience in cannabis lab testing. At Nova, he helps streamline workflows and increase the efficiency of high-throughput micro-labs (rapid testing of biological activity in large numbers of samples).
At Langley, we perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis to sex plants and screen for viruses, as well as analysis for heavy metals and pesticides.
Dylan Arigo
Scientist I
Arigo has been working as a chemist at Nova Analytic Labs for two years. He works on analyses such as potency, heavy metals, and residual solvent analysis. He also maintains the lab's equipment to ensure it runs smoothly during testing. Arigo earned his Master's in Forensic Science and Law from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.
Zachary Smith
Director
Mr. Smith earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from St. Joseph's University of Maine. He has been with Nova Analytical Labs since 2021, starting as the lab's lead heavy metals analyst, becoming Lab Manager in 2022 and Lab Director in 2024. Mr. Smith's responsibilities include overseeing laboratory compliance, validating methodology, managing lab staff, issuing sample reports and performing multiple assays. Prior to working at Nova Analytical Labs, Mr. Smith worked in environmental testing at a lab in Maine for eight years.
Learn more about how Forbes Health covers CBD and other cannabinoids and how our CBD rating is calculated here.
