Article 5. Laboratory Testing and Reporting

§15714. Required Testing.

(a) All sample increments collected must be homogenized prior to sample analyses, notwithstanding foreign material testing.

(b) The licensed laboratory shall test each representative sample for the following:

1. Cannabinoids;
2. Foreign material;
3. Heavy metals;
4. Microbial impurities;
5. Mycotoxins;
6. Moisture content and water activity;
7. Residual pesticides;
8. Residual solvents and processing chemicals; and
9. If applicable, terpenoids.

(c) The licensed laboratory shall report the results of each analysis performed by the laboratory on the certificate of analysis.

(d) The licensed laboratory that obtained the representative sample shall complete all required testing for each representative sample for regulatory compliance testing.

Authority: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code.
Reference: Sections 26100, 26104 and 26110, Business and Professions Code.

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§15717. Moisture Content and Water Activity Testing.

(a) The licensed laboratory shall analyze at minimum 0.5 grams of the representative sample of dried flower to determine the level of water activity and the percentage of moisture content.

1. The dried flower sample, including pre-rolls, shall be deemed to have passed water activity testing if the water activity does not exceed 0.65 Aw. The laboratory shall report the result of the water activity test on the certificate of analysis (COA) and indicate “pass” or “fail” on the COA.
2. The licensed laboratory shall report the result of the moisture content test on the COA as a percentage.

(b) The licensed laboratory shall analyze at least 0.5 grams of the representative sample of solid edible cannabis products to determine the level of water activity. A solid edible cannabis product shall be deemed to have passed water activity testing if the water activity does not exceed 0.85 Aw. The laboratory shall report the result of the water activity test on the COA and indicate “pass” or “fail” on the COA.

(c) If the sample fails water activity testing, the batch from which the sample was collected fails water activity testing and shall not be released for retail sale.

Authority cited: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code.
Reference: Sections 26100, 26104 and 26110, Business and Professions Code.

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§15718. Residual Solvents and Processing Chemicals Testing.

(a) The licensed laboratory shall analyze at minimum 0.25 grams of the representative sample of cannabis product or pre-rolls to determine whether residual solvents or processing chemicals are present.

(b) The licensed laboratory shall report the result of the residual solvents and processing chemicals testing in unit micrograms per gram (μg/g) on the COA and indicate “pass” or “fail” on the COA.

(c) The sample shall be deemed to have passed the residual solvents and processing chemicals testing if the presence of any residual solvent or processing chemical listed in the following tables in Category I and Category II does not exceed the indicated action levels.

1. Notwithstanding subsection (c), the limit for ethanol does not apply to cannabis products that are tinctures.
2. Notwithstanding subsection (c), the limit for ethanol or isopropyl alcohol does not apply to cannabis products that are topical cannabis products.

Category I Residual Solvent or Processing Chemical	CAS No.	Cannabis Product or Pre-Roll Action Level (µg/g)
1,2-Dichloroethane	107-06-2	1.0
Benzene	71-43-2	1.0
Chloroform	67-66-3	1.0
Ethylene oxide	75-21-8	1.0
Methylene chloride	75-09-2	1.0
Trichloroethylene	79-01-6	1.0

Category II Residual Solvent orProcessing Chemical	CAS No.	Cannabis Product or Pre-roll Action Level (µg/g)
Acetone	67-64-1	5000
Acetonitrile	75-05-8	410
Butane	106-97-8	5000
Ethanol	64-17-5	5000
Ethyl acetate	141-78-6	5000
Ethyl ether	60-29-7	5000
Heptane	142-82-5	5000
Hexane	110-54-3	290
Isopropyl alcohol	67-63-0	5000
Methanol	67-56-1	3000
Pentane	109-66-0	5000
Propane	74-98-6	5000
Toluene	108-88-3	890
Total xylenes (ortho-, meta-, para-)	1330-20-7	2170

(d) If the sample fails residual solvents and processing chemicals testing, the batch from which the sample was collected fails residual solvents and processing chemicals testing and shall not be released for retail sale.

Authority cited: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code.
Reference: Sections 26100, 26104 and 26110, Business and Professions Code.

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§15719. Residual Pesticides Testing.

(a) The licensed laboratory shall analyze at minimum 0.5 grams of the representative sample of cannabis and cannabis products to determine whether residual pesticides are present.

(b) The licensed laboratory shall report whether any Category I Residual Pesticides are detected above the limit of detection (LOD) and shall report the result of the Category II Residual Pesticides testing in unit micrograms per gram (μg/g) on the COA. The laboratory shall indicate “pass” or “fail” on the COA.

(c) The licensed laboratory shall establish a limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 0.10 μg/g or lower for all Category I Residual Pesticides.

(d) The sample shall be deemed to have passed the residual pesticides testing if both of the following conditions are met:

1. The presence of any residual pesticide listed in the following tables in Category I are not detected, and
2. The presence of any residual pesticide listed in the following tables in Category II does not exceed the indicated action levels.

Category I Residual Pesticide	CAS No.
Aldicarb	116-06-3
Carbofuran	1563-66-2
Chlordane	57-74-9
Chlorfenapyr	122453-73-0
Chlorpyrifos	2921-88-2
Coumaphos	56-72-4
Daminozide	1596-84-5
DDVP (Dichlorvos)	62-73-7
Dimethoate	60-51-5
Ethoprop(hos)	13194-48-4
Etofenprox	80844-07-1
Fenoxycarb	72490-01-8
Category I Residual Pesticide	CAS No.
Fipronil	120068-37-3
Imazalil	35554-44-0
Methiocarb	2032-65-7
Methyl parathion	298-00-0
Mevinphos	7786-34-7
Paclobutrazol	76738-62-0
Propoxur	114-26-1
Spiroxamine	118134-30-8
Thiacloprid	111988-49-9

Category II Residual Pesticide	CAS No.	Action Level (µg/g) for Inhalable Cannabis and Cannabis Products	Action Level (µg/g) for Non-Inhalable Cannabis Products
Abamectin	71751-41-2	0.1	0.3
Acephate	30560-19-1	0.1	5
Acequinocyl	57960-19-7	0.1	4
Acetamiprid	135410-20-7	0.1	5
Azoxystrobin	131860-33-8	0.1	40
Bifenazate	149877-41-8	0.1	5
Bifenthrin	82657-04-3	3	0.5
Boscalid	188425-85-6	0.1	10
Captan	133-06-2	0.7	5
Carbaryl	63-25-2	0.5	0.5
Chlorantraniliprole	500008-45-7	10	40
Clofentezine	74115-24-5	0.1	0.5
Cyfluthrin	68359-37-5	2	1
Cypermethrin	52315-07-8	1	1
Diazinon	333-41-5	0.1	0.2
Dimethomorph	110488-70-5	2	20
Etoxazole	153233-91-1	0.1	1.5
Fenhexamid	126833-17-8	0.1	10
Category II Residual Pesticide	CAS No.	Action Level (µg/g) for Inhalable Cannabis and Cannabis Products	Action Level (µg/g) for Non-Inhalable Cannabis Products
Fenpyroximate	111812-58-9	0.1	2
Flonicamid	158062-67-0	0.1	2
Fludioxonil	131341-86-1	0.1	30
Hexythiazox	78587-05-0	0.1	2
Imidacloprid	138261-41-3	5	3
Kresoxim-methyl	143390-89-0	0.1	1
Malathion	121-75-5	0.5	5
Metalaxyl	57837-19-1	2	15
Methomyl	16752-77-5	1	0.1
Myclobutanil	88671-89-0	0.1	9
Naled	300-76-5	0.1	0.5
Oxamyl	23135-22-0	0.5	0.2
Pentachloronitrobenzene	82-68-8	0.1	0.2
Permethrin	52645-53-1	0.5	20
Phosmet	732-11-6	0.1	0.2
Piperonylbutoxide	51-03-6	3	8
Prallethrin	23031-36-9	0.1	0.4
Propiconazole	60207-90-1	0.1	20
Pyrethrins	8003-34-7	0.5	1
Pyridaben	96489-71-3	0.1	3
Spinetoram	187166-15-0,187166-40-1	0.1	3
Spinosad	131929-60-7,131929-63-0	0.1	3
Spiromesifen	283594-90-1	0.1	12
Spirotetramat	203313-25-1	0.1	13
Tebuconazole	107534-96-3	0.1	2
Thiamethoxam	153719-23-4	5	4.5
Trifloxystrobin	141517-21-7	0.1	30

(e) If the sample fails residual pesticides testing, the batch from which the sample was collected fails residual pesticides testing and shall not be released for retail sale.

Authority cited: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code.
Reference: Sections 26100, 26104 and 26110, Business and Professions Code.

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§15720. Microbial Impurities Testing.

(a) The licensed laboratory shall analyze at minimum 1.0 grams of the representative sample of cannabis or cannabis products to determine whether microbial impurities are present.

(b) The licensed laboratory shall report the result of the microbial impurities testing by indicating “pass” or “fail” on the COA.

(c) The sample of inhalable cannabis and cannabis products shall be deemed to have passed the microbial impurities testing if all of the following conditions are met:

1. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli is not detected in 1 gram;
2. Salmonella spp. is not detected in 1 gram; and
3. Pathogenic Aspergillus species A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger, and A. terreus are not detected in 1 gram.

(d) The sample of non-inhalable cannabis and cannabis products shall be deemed to have passed the microbial impurities testing if both the following conditions are met:

1. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli is not detected in 1 gram, and
2. Salmonella spp. is not detected in 1 gram.

(e) If the sample fails microbial impurities testing, the batch from which the sample was collected fails microbial impurities testing and shall not be released for retail sale.

Authority cited: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code.
Reference: Sections 26100, 26104 and 26110, Business and Professions Code.

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§15721. Mycotoxin Testing.

(a) The licensed laboratory shall analyze at minimum 0.5 grams of the representative sample of cannabis and cannabis products to determine whether mycotoxins are present.

(b) The licensed laboratory shall report the result of the mycotoxins testing in unit micrograms per kilograms (μg/kg) on the COA and indicate “pass” or “fail” on the COA.

(c) The sample shall be deemed to have passed mycotoxin testing if both the following conditions are met:

1. Total of aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, and G2 does not exceed 20 μg/kg of substance, and
2. Ochratoxin A does not exceed 20 μg/kg of substance.

(d) If the sample fails mycotoxin testing, the batch from which the sample was collected fails mycotoxin testing and shall not be released for retail sale.

Authority cited: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code.
Reference: Sections 26100, 26104 and 26110, Business and Professions Code.

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§15722. Foreign Material Testing.

(a) The licensed laboratory shall analyze the representative sample of cannabis and cannabis products to determine whether foreign material is present.

(b) The licensed laboratory shall report the result of the foreign material test by indicating “pass” or “fail” on the COA.

(c) The licensed laboratory shall perform foreign material testing on the total representative sample prior to sample homogenization.

(d) When the licensed laboratory performs foreign material testing, at minimum, the laboratory shall do all of the following:

1. Examine both the exterior and interior of the dried flower sample, and
2. Examine the exterior of the cannabis product sample.

(e) The sample shall be deemed to have passed the foreign material testing if the presence of foreign material does not exceed:

1. 1/4 of the total sample area covered by sand, soil, cinders, or dirt;
2. 1/4 of the total sample area covered by mold;
3. 1 insect fragment, 1 hair, or 1 count mammalian excreta per 3.0 grams; or
4. 1/4 of the total sample area covered by an imbedded foreign material.

(f) If the sample fails foreign material testing, the batch from which the sample was collected fails foreign material testing and shall not be released for retail sale.

Authority cited: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code.
Reference: Sections 26100, 26104 and 26110, Business and Professions Code.

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§15723. Heavy Metals Testing.

(a) The licensed laboratory shall analyze at minimum 0.5 grams of the representative sample of cannabis and cannabis products to determine whether heavy metals are present.

(b) The licensed laboratory shall report the result of the heavy metals test in unit micrograms per gram (μg/g) on the COA and indicate “pass” or “fail” on the COA.

(c) The sample shall be deemed to have passed the heavy metals testing if the presence of heavy metals does not exceed the action levels listed in the following table.

Heavy Metal	Action Level (µg/g) for Inhalable Cannabis and Cannabis Products	Action Level (µg/g) for Non-Inhalable Cannabis and Cannabis Products
Cadmium	0.2	0.5
Lead	0.5	0.5
Arsenic	0.2	1.5
Mercury	0.1	3.0

(d) If the sample fails heavy metals testing, the batch from which the sample was collected fails heavy metals testing and shall not be released for retail sale.

Authority cited: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code.
Reference: Sections 26100, 26104 and 26110, Business and Professions Code.

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§15724. Cannabinoid Testing.

(a) The licensed laboratory shall analyze at minimum 0.5 grams of the representative sample of cannabis and cannabis products to determine the cannabinoid profile such as THC; THCA; CBD; CBDA; CBG; and CBN.

(b) The licensed laboratory shall establish a limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 1.0 mg/g or lower for all cannabinoids analyzed and reported.

(c) The licensed laboratory shall report the result of the cannabinoid testing on the COA, including, at minimum:

1. A percentage for THC, THCA, CBD, and CBDA;
   1. When the licensed laboratory reports the result of the cannabinoid testing for harvest batch representative samples on the COA in dry-weight percent, they shall use the following equation:

Dry-weight percent cannabinoid = wet-weight percent cannabinoid / (1 − percent moisture / 100)

2. A percentage for Total THC and Total CBD, if applicable;
3. Milligrams per gram (mg/g) if by dry-weight or milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) if by volume for THC, THCA, CBD, and CBDA.
4. Milligrams per gram (mg/g) if by dry-weight or milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) if by volume for Total THC and Total CBD, if applicable;
   1. The licensed laboratory shall calculate the total cannabinoid concentration as follows:
      1. For concentration expressed in weight:
         Total cannabinoid concentration (mg/g) = (cannabinoid acid form concentration (mg/g) x 0.877) + cannabinoid concentration (mg/g)
      2. For concentration expressed in volume:
         Total cannabinoid concentration (mg/mL) = (cannabinoid acid form concentration (mg/mL) x 0.877) + cannabinoid concentration (mg/mL)

5. Milligrams per package for THC and CBD;
6. Milligrams per package for Total THC and Total CBD, if applicable;
7. Milligrams per serving for THC and CBD, if any;
8. Milligrams per serving for Total THC and Total CBD, if any and if applicable; and
9. The licensed laboratory shall report the results of all other cannabinoids analyzed on the COA both as a percentage and in either milligrams per gram (mg/g) if by weight or milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) if by volume.

(d) The sample shall be deemed to have passed the cannabinoid testing if the amount of THC does not exceed the limits established in section 17304.

(e) The licensed laboratory shall report the test results and indicate an overall “pass” or “fail” for the cannabinoid testing on the COA.

(f) Any cannabinoids found to be less than the LOQ shall be reported on the COA as “<1 mg/g” if by dry-weight or “<1 mg/mL” if by volume.

(g) If the sample fails cannabinoid testing, the batch from which the sample was collected fails cannabinoid testing and shall not be released for retail sale.

(h) For purposes of this division, any one cannabinoid, Total THC, and/or Total CBD claimed to be present on a label shall not be considered inaccurate if the difference in percentage on the certificate of analysis is plus or minus 10.0%.

Authority: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code.
Reference: Sections 26100, 26104 and 26110, Business and Professions Code.

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§15725. Terpenoid Testing.

(a) If requested, the licensed laboratory shall analyze at minimum 0.5 grams of the representative sample of cannabis or cannabis products to determine the terpenoid profile of the sample.

(b) The licensed laboratory shall report the result of the terpenoid testing on the COA both as a percentage and in either milligrams per gram (mg/g) if by weight or milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) if by volume.

Authority: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code.
Reference: Sections 26100, 26104 and 26110, Business and Professions Code.

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§15726. Certificate of Analysis (COA).

(a) The licensed laboratory shall generate a COA for each representative sample that the laboratory analyzes.

(b) The licensed laboratory shall ensure that the COA contains the results of all required analyses performed for the representative sample.

(c) The licensed laboratory shall, within 1 business day of completing all analyses of a sample, both upload the COA into the track and trace system and simultaneously provide a copy of the COA to the Department via email at testinglabs@cannabis.ca.gov with a file name of “METRC UID Number and Test Sample ID” and “Passed” or “Failed” in the subject heading of the email.

(d) The licensed laboratory shall not release to any person any cumulative or individual test results prior to completing all analyses and providing the COA to the Department.

(e) The COA shall contain, at minimum, the following information:

1. The term “Regulatory Compliance Testing” in font no smaller than 14-point, which shall appear in the upper-right corner of each page of the COA. No text or images shall appear above the term “Regulatory Compliance Testing” on any page of the COA.
2. Laboratory’s name, licensed premises address, and license number;
3. Licensed distributor’s or licensed microbusiness authorized to engage in distribution’s name, licensed premises address, and license number;
4. Licensed cultivator’s, licensed manufacturer’s, or licensed microbusiness’ name, licensed premises address, and license number;
5. Batch number of the batch from which the sample was obtained. For cannabis and cannabis products that are already packaged at the time of sampling, the labeled batch number on the packaged cannabis and cannabis products shall match the batch number on the COA;
6. Sample identifying information, including matrix type and unique sample identifiers;
7. Sample history, including the date collected, the date received by the laboratory, and the date(s) of sample analyses and corresponding testing results;
8. A picture of the sample of cannabis and cannabis products. If the sample is pre- packaged, the picture must include an unobstructed image of the packaging;
9. For dried flower samples, the total weight of the batch, in grams or pounds, and the total weight, of the representative sample in grams;
10. For cannabis product or pre-rolls samples, the total unit count of both the representative sample and the total batch size;
11. Measured density of the cannabis and cannabis products;
12. The analytical methods, analytical instrumentation used, and corresponding Limits of Detection (LOD) and Limits of Quantitation (LOQ);
13. An attestation on the COA from the laboratory supervisory or management employee that all LQC samples required by section 15730 were performed and met the acceptance criteria; and
14. Analytes detected during the analyses of the sample that are unknown, unidentified, or injurious to human health if consumed, if any.

(f) The licensed laboratory shall report test results for each representative sample on the COA as follows:

1. Indicate an overall “pass” or “fail” for the entire batch;
2. When reporting qualitative results for each analyte, the licensed laboratory shall indicate “pass” or “fail”;
3. When reporting quantitative results for each analyte, the licensed laboratory shall use the appropriate units of measurement as required under this chapter;
4. When reporting results for each test method, the licensed laboratory shall indicate “pass” or “fail”;
5. When reporting results for any analytes that were detected below the analytical method LOQ, indicate “<LOQ”, notwithstanding cannabinoid results;
6. When reporting results for any analytes that were not detected or detected below the LOD, indicate “ND”; and
7. Indicate “NT” for any test that the licensed laboratory did not perform.

(g) The licensed laboratory supervisory or management employee shall validate the accuracy of the information contained on the COA and sign and date the COA.

(h) The laboratory supervisory or management employee may request to amend a COA to correct minor errors. Requests must be emailed to the Department at testinglabs@cannabis.ca.gov for approval prior to making any corrections. Errors in results required to be reported pursuant to subsection (f) are not minor errors.

Authority: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code.
Reference: Sections 26100, 26104 and 26110, Business and Professions Code.

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