Canada's reputation as a leader in cannabis relies on the consistent output of quality products. CQA's evaluation process encourages producers to keep improving their practices and helps set a global standard for dried flower.

What we offer

•        Certification: Certified products can display the CQA® seal on their packaging and get a product profile in the CQA app. Craft and micro producers can launch as pre-certified.

•        Extended lab testing: A Certificate of Analysis that goes beyond Health Canada requirements.

•        Blind sensory evaluation: Products are assessed by our independent tasting panel.

•        DNA fingerprinting: Confirms and protects your cultivar's genetic identity.

•        Mobile pathogen testing: On-site testing for Hop Latent Viroid (Hlvd), Pythium and Fusarium, with results within two hours.

•        Retail and export support: In-store visibility and budtender training in Canada, and quality dossiers for European medical export.

DNA fingerprinting

CQA's DNA fingerprinting lets producers run preliminary phenotype checks within about a week of sprouting a seed, instead of waiting months for cultivation. Genomic data can predict chemotype (terpenes and cannabinoids) from seeds or vegetative plants, while chemical analysis needs mature, cured flower.

CQA uses its own cannabis DNA database and a licensed third-party database. Every sample tested is added to our database, which helps place it relative to reference cultivars.

One evaluation, three lenses
For products submitted for certification, CQA combines sensory analysis, lab testing and DNA fingerprinting to give producers feedback:
•    If the genetics match known cultivars but the tasting panel rates the product poorly, we can advise your team on improvements based on panel comments.
•    If the panel rates the product well and the genetics are distinct, we can advise on how to bring it to market.