For years, cannabis potency has been a driving factor in how products are marketed, purchased, and even judged for quality. But what happens when lab shopping, cherry-picked testing, and inflated THC numbers create unrealistic expectations for the industry?
In this episode of The Scoop, Alec Dixon, co-founder of SC Labs, exposes the problematic potential of potency—from how inflated THC results have distorted consumer perception to the true role of cultivation practices in creating a consistently high-quality product.
Beyond The numbers: The Potency Problem in Cannabis
THC percentage has become the dominant metric for cannabis quality, but not all potency results are created equal. For years, some labs artificially inflated THC values, causing widespread damage to the market.
Dixon explains:
“For many years, there was an economic disincentive for groups to even want to work with a good lab for the right reasons because they could just chase down a 50% flower result from a lab down the street that might not even be open anymore.”
As the industry evolved, lab integrity became more important than ever. SC Labs has always led with transparency and accountability, refusing to provide inflated numbers just to satisfy market demand. Instead, Dixon and his team focus on partnering with growers and brands to help them achieve real quality—through science, not shortcuts.
The best cannabis isn’t just about the highest THC number. True potency comes from how it’s grown, how it’s tested, and how it’s preserved.
Q&A with Alec Dixon
Question:Why has potency inflation been such a big issue in the cannabis industry?
Alec Dixon: The problem started when some labs prioritized business over science. Instead of giving growers and brands accurate numbers, these unscrupulous labs started giving customers the numbers they wanted. And that set an unrealistic expectation for the market—consumers and retailers began expecting high THC percentages, and suddenly, anything below 30% was considered low quality, even if it was an exceptional flower.
This created a ripple effect where growers felt pressure to find labs that would boost their numbers—and some did. But many of those labs are no longer around because that model was not sustainable.
Question:What is “lab shopping,” and how does it hurt the industry?
AD: “Lab shopping” happens when growers or brands hop from lab to lab, looking for higher potency numbers instead of accurate results.
This doesn’t just hurt consumers—who are misled into thinking they’re getting stronger products—it hurts the entire industry. It undermines trust in lab testing, making genuine, transparent labs seem like they’re giving lower numbers when in reality, they’re just being honest.
At SC Labs, we’ve lost clients because we refused to manipulate results. But we stand by integrity over hype, and more brands are starting to realize that accurate results lead to long-term success.
Question:How does cultivation affect THC consistency?
AD: A great example is Banana OG, a strain that has high THC potential—but only under perfect conditions.
If you take the cherry-picked top bud of a perfectly grown Banana OG plant, you might see 36% THCA. But that doesn’t represent the entire crop. When cannabis became fully legalized in California in 2018, the compliance testing process changed, requiring more representative sampling. Suddenly, those same crops were averaging in the low 20s—and some growers didn’t like that reality.
This is where cultivation practices matter. If growers remove too much leaf too late in flowering, the potency spread from top to bottom buds can be drastic. The solution? Canopy management.
“With proper leafing techniques and balanced light distribution, growers can standardize cannabinoid content across the entire plant—so that the top bud, middle buds, and lower buds all test consistently high.”
This not only improves potency but also extraction yields, making it a win-win for growers who invest in proper cultivation techniques.
Question:Who is leading the way in honest potency and high-quality cultivation?
AD: Some standout cultivators that prioritize real quality over inflated numbers include: Cannabiotics, Fig Farms, Northern Emeralds, and Wood Wide Farms.
These growers understand that potency is not just about THC—it’s about how you grow, how you test, and how you present your product to consumers with transparency.
Conclusion:
Potency has been one of the most distorted factors in cannabis marketing. Lab shopping, cherry-picked testing, and THC inflation have misled consumers—but the industry is starting to push back.
As Dixon emphasizes:
“The best cannabis isn’t just about the highest THC number. True potency comes from how it’s grown, how it’s tested, and how it’s preserved.”
By prioritizing accurate lab testing, proper cultivation, and transparency, brands can earn real trust and ensure consumers get the best possible experience—not just a high number on a label.
About SC Labs:
SC Labs is at the forefront of cannabis and hemp testing, dedicated to advancing product safety and quality through cutting-edge analysis and transparent practices. With expertise in microbial, chemical, and potency testing, SC Labs empowers producers to build confidence in their products and their processes.