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A Quick Guide to Instant Potency Testing with the Purpl PRO!

If you would like to know just how potent your cannabis is or test large amounts of cannabis instantly, then the Purpl PRO could be just what you’re looking for!

With changing laws in various countries, an increasing number of people now have access to cannabis. With this expanding availability of cannabis, there is also an increase in users who want insight into the potency of the cannabis they consume. Additionally, it is also becoming increasingly important for dispensaries and coffee shops to have knowledge of the potency of the cannabis they sell, ensuring that they can provide accurate information and meet the demands of their customers.

In this article we’re going to take an in-depth look at the Purpl PRO, how the Purpl PRO works, and why potency testing of cannabis is so important. So, if you have been searching for an affordable and easy way to get instant results about the cannabinoid potency of your cannabis, then the Purpl PRO could be just what you’ve been searching for all the time!

Consumers demand more insights in the THC levels of cannabis

What exactly are you getting when you purchase cannabis? As consumers, we often rely on the listed THC or CBD percentages, hoping that coffeeshops or dispensaries provide this information. However, in many cases, the actual potency is unknown to both seller and buyer, leaving us uncertain about the product’s true composition.

When it comes to potency levels, the percentages provided are often just an average representation of the entire strain. This may hold true for a specific batch or even an individual plant. Therefore, the buds that you are purchasing can vary significantly from what is initially displayed. It could be either substantially higher or lower than indicated.

So, what’s the solution? Send your cannabis off to a laboratory for testing? Although possible, it would be extremely expensive and time-consuming. In addition, by the time you get your results, the remainder of the cannabis would probably be long smoked (or vaped)!

What is the Purpl PRO testing kit?

The Purple PRO is the idea of Spectral Engines. Spectral Engines, founded in 2014, has a long history with creating and developing accurate and affordable testing devices such as the Purple PRO, along with a variety of other testing devices widely used in law enforcement and agriculture.

Up until recently, one of the only ways to test the potency of your CBD or THC product was to send it away to a laboratory for testing, which is not only expensive if you want to test multiple products but also time-consuming.

The Purpl PRO eliminates the need to send your cannabis products away to a laboratory and provides an accurate and fast mobile testing solution giving you accurate results in approximately 10 seconds!


The Purpl PRO is currently being extensively used across Europe by over half of the 500 Dutch coffee shops (cannabis dispensaries) in the Netherlands alone, as well as in various Social Clubs in Spain (cannabis clubs) and by numerous licensed CBD growers.

Additionally, the Purpl PRO is widely employed to test the potency of cannabis during Cannabis Cups and competitions. We are witnessing an increasing adoption of the Purpl PRO by businesses due to its efficiency, speed, and affordability, surpassing many traditional laboratory testing options.

The Purpl PRO being used for potency testing at Jack Herer Cup 2023

How Does the Purpl PRO Work?

The Purpl PRO utilizes FDA-Endorsed near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) Technology to accurately measure the potency of cannabis PROducts, including potency testing for CBD and THC, the two most abundant cannabinoids present in cannabis or hemp.

Using near-infrared spectroscopy, concentrated light is shined directly onto the sample, and the returning light is analyzed. Molecules react to specific regions of the light to generate a ‘molecular fingerprint’ that can be correlated with concentration.

During the development of the Purpl PRO, it was validated against thousands of HPLC measurements taken from multiple state-certified testing facilities. (HPLC is the standard test method for cannabinoids) Using different accessories, the Purpl PRO can be used to test CBD potency, THC potency, and Water Activity and Moisture.

  • CBD Testing – The testing process for CBD potency is similar to THC potency. CBD molecules absorb light at specific parts of the NIR. However, CBD uses a different part of the NIR light spectrum than THC. If there is more CBD present, it reflects more light, and if there is less CBD present, it absorbs more light. If you are a CBD grower, then understanding how much CBD or THC is present in your product is vital.
  • Water Activity & Moisture Testing – The curing part of growing any cannabis product is vital. Thanks to the Purpl PRO ‘+H2O Pack’, you’ll be able to instantly gauge the moisture content of your cannabis PROduct.

Cannabis potency testing: Purpl Pro accuracy vs lab testing accuracy

The Purpl PRO delivers lab accuracy without the need to send your product away to a laboratory. We often get asked how accurate is the Purpl PRO really? What can you expect from a mobile testing device? Overall, the Purpl PRO states a +/- 2% accuracy on THC and 1% on CBD for simplicity. Statistically, it is +/- 1.89% on THC and +/- 0.96% on CBD, determined by comparison with lab HPLC measurements.

In fact, the Purpl PRO could actually improve the accuracy of your cannabis testing. The case could even be made that the Purpl PRO is more accurate when you are looking at the potency level on a bigger scale instead of just one test sample. How you ask? With the Purpl PRO you can test large numbers of product without having to wait for laboratory test results. This means that you can take multiple test results from the same batch of cannabis and compare them to come up with an accurate average testing result for your products. With laboratory testing, the COA (Certificate of Analysis) that you get back from the lab with the test results only covers your test sample and not the entire batch or harvest. This could mean that a deviation or abnormality in the sample could wrongfully label your entire batch as perhaps ‘too strong’ or maybe not potent enough for your standards. 

If you would like to see a more in-depth guide on near-infrared spectroscopy technology, then you can check out the complete White Paper Accuracy and the White Paper Moisture And Water Activity.

The Purpl PRO – Measuring Extracts and Oils

As of writing this article, the hash software update for the Purple PRO should be released very soon! With this update the commercial sector will know exactly what they’re selling and how potent their hash products are. For hash makers (making hash is a craft on its own), the Purpl PRO is a godsend, because you can measure your starting material such as cannabis flower and then measure your final product.

After the hash update, the oil and concentrate software update will be released next. This will open doors for medicinal patients and other cannabis craftsmen who produce products such as BHO, Wax and other concentrates. We will talk more in an upcoming article about concentrates and oils testing with the Purpl PRO when the updates have been released.  

Why is Cannabis Potency Testing Important?

If you’re selling or cultivating any cannabinoid products containing CBD or THC, then it’s very important that you can provide accurate levels of CBD and THC percentages to your customers. As a consumer, knowing how much THC or CBD is present in the product you’re buying is reassuring for numerous reasons. Firstly, you know that you’re getting just what you paid for and how potent it is. Second it also tells you in some way that it is safe and you are not buying CBD flower with synthetic THC added. Lastly, it will allow you to accurately gauge how much of the product you should use.

The Purpl PRO was designed for use by both individuals and companies. However, you don’t have to be a large cultivator or retailer to take advantage of the accurate and instant test results that the Purpl PRO delivers.

In conjunction with your mobile device, you can take the laboratory with you when you utilize the Purpl PRO! Everywhere you go, you’ll be able to instantly test the cannabinoid potency of cannabis and get an accurate return on your THC and CBD percentages.

A Quick Guide to Instant Potency Testing with the Purpl PRO! – Conclusion

There you go! Everything you wanted to know about the Purpl PRO and how it works. As cannabis becomes more readily available, having the peace of mind of knowing just how potent any particular product is could be fantastic for individual users. However, for cannabis businesses handling large amounts of cannabis or cannabis products on a regular basis the advantages of the Purpl PRO are endless. You’ll be able to do large scale batch testing and come up with accurate percentages for an entire crop rather than a single laboratory result per sample.

If you would like to purchase a Purpl PRO for yourself or for your business, then head over to the product page on the website! Also, if you’re interested in becoming an affiliate or reseller, then check out our affiliate link here.

Do you need more information about the Purpl PRO or have any questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly and professional sales team via the contact page. They’re the true experts on the Purpl PRO and would be more than happy to answer any questions that you may have and explain in more detail how you can purchase a Purpl PRO for yourself!

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