Q: What is Water Activity, and how does it impact my cannabis products?
A: Water Activity (aw) is defined as the energy status of water within a system, which essentially measures how water can behave in a system on a biochemical basis. Water Activity is an integral portion of cannabis testing because it can assist in predicting the shelf life of the product, as well as the potential for microbial growth. When a cannabis product exceeds its threshold (generally 0.65 aw) for water activity, the cannabis product becomes a viable medium in which mold can thrive over time, leading to the potential for cannabis users to consume mold spores or mycotoxins. Moreover, water activity controls the rate at which the decarboxylation of THC occurs, directly impacting the potency of the cannabis product.