CAT 3

The term “Cat 3” stands for Category 3, a label used in cannabis testing to describe a product’s compliance level. It doesn’t refer to the chemical makeup or potency of the distillate itself. Instead, it tells you how far along that product is in the testing process, and how much scrutiny it has passed.

Cannabis and hemp products go through testing to make sure they don’t contain harmful contaminants like residual solvents, pesticides, mold, or heavy metals. There are three main categories:

• Category 1: The highest standard, usually required in fully licensed and regulated dispensary systems. Products that pass Cat 1 have gone through the most detailed screening and are ready for retail.

• Category 2: A mid-level option. It still involves significant testing but may skip a few advanced screens. Often found in transitional markets or used when working with white-label suppliers.

• Category 3: This is the base level, typically used for bulk distillate that hasn’t yet been tested for everything or failed to pass all tests. It may still be used for product development or sold in unregulated markets.

Common uses for Cat 3 distillate include:

• Mass-produced vape cartridges meant for general retail or smoke shops

• Low-cost, large-batch gummies where margins are tight

• Infused pre-rolls created at scale for budget-conscious consumers