The cannabis industry operates under a dual testing framework: regulatory compliance testing performed by certified third-party laboratories, and quality control (QC) testing conducted by businesses themselves. Understanding this distinction is critical for cannabis businesses evaluating portable testing technologies like TetraSense. 

State regulations require all batches of cannabis goods to be tested by licensed laboratories before sale, with turnaround times typically ranging from 4-5 business days and costs between $30-$300+ per sample depending on test complexity. This compliance testing cannot be replaced by portable devices, it serves a legally mandated function that requires accredited laboratory facilities. 

However, the most successful cannabis brands implement comprehensive strategies that combine in-house quality control with third-party verification. Quality control testing during production serves a different purpose than compliance testing: it enables businesses to make operational decisions in real-time rather than waiting days for external lab results. 

Quality Control Applications for Portable Testing 

In-house cannabis testing equips processing labs with critical quality control data, enabling real-time decision-making during production processes. Historically, establishing full in-house testing capabilities can cost $200,000-$500,000, with annual maintenance costs of $100,000-$250,000. A number of solutions to achieve for rapid, low-cost and accessible potency testing for in-house QC have been developed over the years, but all have suffered from lack of broad adoption due to performance limitations.

Tetrasense has developed a portable testing devices offering a more accessible entry point for businesses seeking on-site capabilities that aims to overcome all the shortcomings of other technologies overcomes R&D potency testing serves several quality control functions that don’t compete with compliance laboratories: 

Process optimization: Cultivators can monitor cannabinoid development throughout growth cycles to determine optimal harvest timing. According to TetraSense, their device “offers users the ability to get lab-quality potency measurements from samples that include flower, oils, and isolates, in less than five minutes from prep to analysis.” 

Pre-compliance screening: Processing labs conduct pre-compliance testing to ensure products meet regulatory requirements before final release. Businesses can use portable testing to screen batches before submitting samples to certified labs, potentially reducing failed compliance tests and associated costs. 

Formulation development: Extractors and manufacturers developing new products require frequent testing to refine processes. TetraSense explains: “We saw an opportunity to apply our expertise and technology for drug quantification to an industry that desperately needs access to faster, more accurate, and lower-cost cannabinoid measurement technology.“

The company states their accuracy “has been validated against measurements from HPLC-DAD,” though businesses should understand that validation studies don’t replace the regulatory requirement for certified lab testing before retail sale. 

Understanding the Complementary Role 

The distinction between quality control and compliance testing matters because R&D testing devices occupy a specific niche. They don’t eliminate the need for certified laboratories, they address different business needs. 

Cannabis testing verifies product safety, potency, and quality through scientific analysis, with testing typically covering cannabinoid profiles, terpene content, and screening for contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, and microbial growth. Compliance laboratories test for all these parameters and issue Certificates of Analysis (COAs) that legally authorize product sales. 

Portable devices like TetraSense focus specifically on cannabinoid potency measurement, a subset of full compliance testing. According to the company, “Cannabis testing is shifting from slow, centralized labs to fast, on-site results. As regulations tighten and consumer expectations for truthful potency labels rise, testing will become part of daily operations rather than just a compliance requirement.” 

This shift doesn’t replace compliance laboratories but creates a two-tier system where businesses use portable testing for internal quality control while continuing to rely on certified

labs for regulatory compliance. The company notes that “regulators across states are prioritizing accurate potency measurement and reporting,” emphasizing ongoing regulatory requirements. 

For businesses considering portable testing, the key questions are operational: How often do you need potency data for decision-making? What are your current costs for exploratory testing at certified labs? Would faster turnaround times for quality control data improve your processes? 

TetraSense includes “web-based software that’s accessible for individual users while being capable of handling multi-state operator (MSO) potency testing needs across operations and geographies.” The company plans to expand: “In the future, we’re expanding beyond flowers, oils, and isolates to include edible potency testing and plan to branch off into other industry needs such as water content and heavy metal testing.” 

Interested in adding on-site potency testing to your quality control program? Visit the TetraSense website to learn more about their portable testing device and how it can complement your existing compliance testing workflow. Use the discount code: BB420! for $250 savings on your Tetrasense. 

References: 

https://actlab.com/faq/

https://www.kaychalabs.com/

https://belcostalabs.com/how-cannabis-testing-labs-determine-competitive-pricing/

https://www.alpha-cat.org/resources/how-much-cost-cannabis-testing/

https://www.rootsciences.com/blog/inhouse-cannabis-testing/

https://420packaging.com/blogs/questions/third-party-vs-in-house-testing-which-builds-more-trust