Glossary term
Assay: In lab reporting, an assay is a test that measures how much of a substance is present in a sample. In cannabis, this often means the measured amount of THC, CBD or other cannabinoids in a batch.
Why this term matters
Useful for reading COAs and understanding why labels have exact percentages or milligrams.
UK medical cannabis context
Common on product specifications, less common in NHS-facing patient materials.
What not to assume
Assay results are batch-specific and do not guarantee a particular patient response.
Careful wording: Avoid presenting assay values as a promise of clinical effect.
Related glossary terms
Related MCPH pages
Sources and review notes
This entry is educational vocabulary, not medical advice. Suitability, prescribing, product choice and monitoring belong with a qualified clinician or pharmacist.
- Certificate of analysis terminology note. Used as terminology context only, not as standalone clinical guidance.
- Technical chemistry / terminology review note. Used as terminology context only, not as standalone clinical guidance.
- NHS medical cannabis guidance
- NICE NG144: cannabis-based medicinal products