Compliance

Cannabis Testing Requirements by State

Every legal cannabis state requires products to be tested by a licensed laboratory before sale. Requirements vary significantly by state - here is what you need to know.

What Gets Tested

Cannabis testing covers safety and quality. While specific thresholds differ, most states require the same core categories:

Potency (Cannabinoids)

THC, CBD, and other cannabinoid concentrations. Required in all legal states.

Required

Pesticides

Screening for banned or restricted pesticide residues. Most states test for 60-100+ compounds.

Required

Heavy Metals

Lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury levels. Required in most states.

Required

Microbial Contaminants

E. coli, Salmonella, Aspergillus, total yeast and mold. Required in all states.

Required

Residual Solvents

Leftover solvents from extraction (butane, propane, ethanol). Required for concentrates and extracts.

Mycotoxins

Aflatoxins and ochratoxin A produced by mold. Required in most states.

Moisture Content / Water Activity

High moisture promotes mold growth. Water activity above 0.65 is a risk factor.

Foreign Material

Visual inspection for hair, insects, mold, sand, or other contaminants.

Terpene Profile

Aromatic compounds that affect flavor and effects. Optional in most states but increasingly common.

State-by-State Overview

Click any state to see its full directory of licensed testing labs, professional services, and compliance details.

Recreational + Medical States

CaliforniaCA
8,500 licenses
ColoradoCO
3,000 licenses
New YorkNY
2,161 licenses
MichiganMI
2,100 licenses
OregonOR
2,000 licenses
WashingtonWA
1,500 licenses
IllinoisIL
800 licenses
MassachusettsMA
800 licenses
NevadaNV
600 licenses
ArizonaAZ
500 licenses
MaineME
500 licenses
New MexicoNM
500 licenses
New JerseyNJ
400 licenses
MissouriMO
400 licenses
MontanaMT
400 licenses
MarylandMD
300 licenses
OhioOH
300 licenses
ConnecticutCT
300 licenses
MinnesotaMN
200 licenses

Medical Only States

OklahomaOK
7,300 licenses
FloridaFL
400 licenses

Key Differences Between States

While all states require potency and contaminant testing, the specifics vary:

  • Action limits - The maximum allowable level of a contaminant differs. California has some of the strictest pesticide limits, while Oklahoma's are more permissive.
  • Number of analytes - California tests for 66 pesticides. Oregon tests for fewer. The number of compounds screened varies significantly.
  • Product-specific requirements - Flower, concentrates, edibles, and topicals often have different testing requirements within the same state.
  • Batch size rules - How much product constitutes a "batch" for testing purposes varies. Some states allow larger batches than others.
  • Retesting rules - What happens when a product fails varies. Some states allow remediation and retesting, others don't.
  • Lab accreditation - Most states require ISO 17025, but some have additional state-specific certifications.

Need help with compliance?

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