Testing laboratories make sure cannabis goods are safe for consumption. The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) requires all batches of cannabis goods to be tested before they can be sold. Testing labs test cannabis goods to make sure they’re free of contaminants and labeled with accurate amounts of cannabinoids and terpenes.
Required testing
Testing labs test cannabis goods for:
- Cannabinoids and terpenes
- Residual solvents and processing chemicals
- Residual pesticides
- Heavy metals
- Microbial impurities
- Mycotoxins
- Moisture content and water activity
- Foreign material
Reporting test results
Testing labs report results on a Certificate of Analysis (COA). The COA says whether the batch passes or fails testing for each substance.
Labs can only issue COAs and results after they finish all tests. Labs cannot change them after they’re issued without permission from DCC.
Sending results to DCC
Within one day of finishing a batch’s testing, the testing lab must:
- Upload the COA to the track and trace system
- Send a copy of the COA to DCC; email testinglabs@cannabis.ca.gov
Cannabis goods that fail testing
Batches of cannabis goods that fail testing can only be:
- Destroyed by the distributor
- Remediated by a manufacturer
Remediation removes contaminants from a product. Only manufacturers can remediate a product. DCC must approve your remediation plan in advance. After remediation, you must retest cannabis goods, which ensures the contaminant was removed. If the goods pass testing, they can be sold.
How to submit a remediation plan
To request permission to remediate cannabis goods, email remediation@cannabis.ca.gov.
Reliability of test results
Testing laboratories must:
- Become ISO accredited
- Use standard operating procedures
- Develop a laboratory quality assurance program
- Participate in a proficiency testing program
ISO accreditation
Cannabis testing labs in California must maintain to ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. ISO accreditation is a measure of quality used by universities and research centers worldwide. This standard, established by experts, requires labs to show:
- Technical competency
- Reliability of test results
Resources for testing laboratories
Standard cannabinoid test method and operating procedures: FAQ
Beginning January 1, 2024, state licensed laboratories are required to use the Department of Cannabis Control’s (DCC) standardized cannabinoids test method and standardized operating procedures for testing dried flower, including non-infused pre-rolls. Frequently…
Representative sampling checklist for distributors
Licensed cannabis distributors in California must follow specific rules for regulatory compliance testing and representative sampling before products can be sold at retail. This step-by-step checklist explains distributor responsibilities, including batch possession, representative sampling, chain of custody, certificates of analysis, and what to do if a batch passes or fails compliance testing.
Standard Operating Procedure: Determination of Cannabinoid Concentrations by HPLC
(Dried Flower & Non-Infused Pre-Rolls)
Located on pages 4–15 of the document, this SOP details the required method for testing cannabinoid levels in cannabis flower and non-infused pre-rolls, ensuring results are accurate, consistent, and compliant across all licensed laboratories.
