How to read a COA before you buy at Elevate

When you shop for hemp products at Elevate, you’ll notice that every jar, bag, or vape comes with a promise: you can check the lab results (COA, or Certificate of Analysis) for the exact product in your hand. But what does that really mean, and how do you actually read a COA before you buy? Here’s a practical guide to making sure you’re getting exactly what you want—no guesswork, no surprises.

Why COAs matter for Elevate products

COAs are lab reports that show you what’s inside your hemp product. They confirm the levels of cannabinoids like THCA and Δ9-THC, and check for unwanted contaminants. At Elevate, new products and fresh batches arrive every week, so it’s important to check the current COA for the specific product you’re buying—don’t rely on last week’s PDF or a screenshot from a friend. Always match the COA to the product you’re holding in the store or ordering online.

How to find the COA for your Elevate product

Elevate makes it easy to access lab reports for every product:

• On the product page: Look for the “Lab Reports” block on the product page you’re shopping. This links directly to the PDF for that specific product.
• Lab Reports hub: Visit https://elevate-cinci.com/pages/lab-reports to browse all current COAs by product name.
• Ask at the desk: If you’re shopping in-store and can’t find the COA, just ask the staff at the desk. They’ll help you pull up the right PDF for the product in your hand.

How to match the product in your hand to the COA

Matching is key. You want to make sure the product name, strain, or flavor printed on your package or label matches exactly with the name on the PDF COA. Here’s how to do it:

• Check the label: Look at the jar, bag, or vape box. Find the product name, strain, or flavor printed on the label.
• Open the COA: Pull up the PDF from the product page, the lab-reports hub, or with help from the desk.
• Compare names: The name on your package and the name on the COA must match exactly. Same product name, same strain or flavor wording as printed on the label — not a close cousin SKU.
• If there’s a mismatch: If the names don’t line up, or if you’re not sure, ask the staff at the desk before you buy. Don’t assume it’s the same just because it looks similar—always double-check.

For products with multiple flavors or strains (like gummies or carts), make sure you’re matching the exact variant printed on your label to the right PDF — not a sibling flavor or a generic “assorted” file.

Reading the potency section: THCA, Δ9-THC, and Total THC

Once you’ve matched your product to the right COA, start with the potency section. This is where you’ll see the main cannabinoids tested.

• THCA: This is the raw, non-psychoactive form of THC found in fresh flower. It converts to Δ9-THC when heated (like when you smoke or vape).
• Δ9-THC: This is the active form of THC that produces effects.
• Total THC: Some COAs will list “Total THC.” This number is calculated using the formula:

Total THC = (THCA × 0.877) + Δ9-THC Only trust this number if the report prints the formula or explains how it’s calculated. If it’s not clear, look at the THCA and Δ9-THC rows separately.

Tip: Always read THCA, Δ9-THC, and Total THC as separate rows unless the COA clearly explains how Total THC is calculated.

Contaminant panels: What else is tested?

A good COA doesn’t just stop at potency. It also checks for contaminants that you don’t want in your hemp:

• Heavy metals: Looks for lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury.
• Residual solvents: Tests for leftover chemicals from extraction.
• Microbials: Checks for bacteria, mold, and yeast.
• Mycotoxins: Looks for toxins produced by certain molds.
• Pesticides: Tests for common agricultural chemicals.

Some reports include all of these panels, while others might only show potency. If you only see cannabinoid percentages and nothing about contaminants, ask the staff if a full-panel COA is available for your product. Full-panel COAs give you more peace of mind about what you’re consuming.

Lab name and test/report date

Every COA should list the name of the lab that did the testing, plus the date the report was issued. Here’s why these matter:

• Lab name: Make sure the lab is a real, third-party facility—not just the brand’s own in-house test.
• Test/report date: This tells you how fresh the data is. You want a recent report that matches the current batch of product, not an old one from months ago.

If you see a COA with no lab name or a very old date, ask the desk for a more current report.

Multi-flavor and multi-strain products: Check the exact variant

Many Elevate products come in several flavors or strains on the same shelf. Each flavor or strain should have its own COA. Always match the exact name printed on your label to the COA PDF. If you can’t find a matching report for your specific variant, ask the desk before you buy.

Where to shop and what to bring

Elevate is at 10770 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati. Phone (513) 986-5438. Bring a photo ID for in-store shopping. For pickup and hours, use the pickup and delivery page.

Short checklist: How to read a COA at Elevate

• Find the COA using the product page, lab-reports hub, or ask at the desk.
• Match the product name, strain, or flavor printed on your label to the name on the COA PDF.
• Check THCA, Δ9-THC, and Total THC as separate rows. Only trust Total THC if the formula is shown.
• Look for contaminant panels: heavy metals, solvents, microbials, mycotoxins, pesticides.
• Confirm the lab name and the test/report date are current.
• For multi-flavor or multi-strain products, match the exact variant on your label to the right PDF.
• If anything doesn’t match or you have questions, ask the desk before you buy.

Checking the COA before you buy is the best way to know exactly what you’re getting at Elevate. Take a minute to match up the details, and you’ll always shop with confidence.