ABSTRACT
This chapter gives an overview of the fundamental principles of sampling and sample digestion procedures for trace element analysis, as well as focusing on sample preparation approaches for analyzing cannabis and cannabis-related products by plasma spectrochemical techniques. Depending on the sampling requirements and the type of sample, there are basically three main types of sampling procedures that can apply to cannabis materials: random sampling, composite sampling, and integrated sampling. This chapter describes the basic principles of the major types of microwave digestion technology and offers suggestions as to which might be the best approach, based on sample matrix, digestion efficiency, sample throughput, productivity, and overall cost of analysis. Modern plasma spectrochemical techniques will generate trace element data of the highest quality. However, with any solution technique, the data will only be as good as the sample presented to the instrument.
