Cannabis Testing Licenses in New York: An Overview

Cannabis Testing Licenses in New York: An Overview

Is Cannabis Testing Mandatory in New York?

Yes, all cannabis products for sale in New York must undergo testing to ensure safety and quality. Given the potential for contamination at multiple stages, from cultivation to processing, testing is vital.

Why is Testing Necessary?

• Marijuana often originates from the soil, making it susceptible to contamination by heavy metals or fertilizers.
• Cannabis’ natural moisture can promote microbial growth.
• Testing ensures products meet the highest safety and quality standards.

Regulatory  Requirements:

• According to Section 1004.14 of the New York Codes, Rules, and Regulations, registered medical marijuana organizations must have their products tested in New York State’s Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement-licensed laboratories.
• Approval for analysis must align with Article 5 of the Public Health Law and Subpart 55-2 of the NY Codes, Rules, and Regulations.

What Must be Tested?

Cannabis products undergo testing for:

• Cannabinoid potency
• Contaminants like heavy metals (particularly lead, cadmium, arsenic,and mercury) and growth regulators
• Microbiology including Escherichia Coli, Salmonella species, and more
• Mycotoxins

Does New York License Independent Testing Facilities? Yes, labs meeting specific guidelines can receive a license to test cannabis. The New York State Office of Cannabis Management website offers a search tool to find accredited labs.

Accreditations for Cannabis Testing Labs: To be recognized as a cannabis testing facility, labs must hold ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, which evaluates

Cannabis Testing Regulations in New York

Is Cannabis Testing Mandatory in New York? Absolutely. Before being sold to New Yorkers, every cannabis product must be rigorously tested. From cultivation to the retail display, cannabis undergoes various phases that expose it to potential contaminants, such as heavy metals and microbes. The objective of these tests is to ensure the safety and top-tier quality of cannabis products for consumers.

Per New York regulations, medical cannabis products made by registered entities must be tested in state-approved laboratories. This is according to the New York Codes, Rules, and Regulations’ Section 1004.14, alongside other corresponding regulatory articles.

It’s essential for all batches of finalized medical cannabis products manufactured by registered entities to undergo testing. This includes a range of products like capsules, oils, sprays, vaporization cartridges, and more.

The primary testing criteria include:

• Cannabinoid content, including THC, CBD, CBN, and others.
• THC and CBD stability after 60 days.
• Contaminants, including heavy metals like lead and arsenic.
• Growth regulators, pesticides, and microbiological contaminants.
• Mycotoxins and other factors as mandated by the New York State Department of Health.

Does New York Approve Independent Cannabis Testing Labs? Yes, the state grants licenses to independent labs that meet stipulated criteria. Accredited labs can be found on the New York State Department of Health website.

Accreditation Criteria for Cannabis Testing Labs in New York A lab must hold an ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, which verifies the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. This global standard is upheld by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It ensures a lab’s technical competency and the accuracy of its test and calibration results.

To secure ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, labs undergo thorough third-party assessments. Some focal points of the assessment include staff expertise, quality assurance, appropriate testing methods, and accurate reporting systems.

ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation can be categorized into:

• General Requirements: Focus on confidentiality and impartiality.
• Structural Requirements: Emphasize the organization’s legal standing and management processes.
• Resource Requirements: Highlight the necessity of qualified staff, proper equipment, and calibrated systems.
• Process Requirements: Address customer requests, tender evaluations, and validation processes.
• Management System Requirements: Labs can opt for either Option A or Option B. Both options aim for excellence in the lab’s management system according to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Securing a Cannabis Testing License in New York

An Application contains the following components:

• A filled general application.
• Personnel qualifications.
• Quality manual and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Proofs of proficiency for all requested analytes.

By adhering to these guidelines and requirements, laboratories can contribute to the cannabis industry’s growth in New York, ensuring product safety and top-tier quality for consumers.

Sampling Firms and Staff Expertise in New York’s Cannabis Industry

The Office of Cannabis Management in New York has a systematic approach to ensuring the integrity of cannabis products from field to shelf. Part of this involves the accreditation of sampling firms that are responsible for the collection and transportation of cannabis samples for testing. The firms are mandated to adhere strictly to Part 130 of Title 9, which outlines the procedures and standards for sampling and transportation.

To apply to become a recognized sampling firm, a non-refundable application fee of $500.00 is required. This fee must accompany the submission of the application form and be paid by check, with the check made out to the Office of Cannabis Management. Notably, established cannabis laboratories have the opportunity to expand their services to include sampling by applying to become a sampling firm.

Vehicle and Technician Requirements for Sampling Firms

Vehicle Specifications:

To maintain the integrity of the sampling process, the vehicles used must be documented and meet specific criteria. The application must include the following vehicle information:

• The year of manufacture
• The make and model
• The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• The license plate number

These details are crucial for establishing a traceable chain of custody for the samples collected and ensuring that the vehicles used are suitable for the safe and compliant transportation of cannabis products.

Technician Qualifications:

Technicians performing the sampling must meet certain educational and training standards. The application process requires the following information for each technician:

• First and last name
• Contact phone number and email address
• Confirmation of a minimum education level of a high school diploma or equivalent
• Age at the time of application
• Completion status of required trainings

Additionally, technicians’ work hours must be meticulously documented, including start and end times in military format for each day of the week.

Application Process and Operational Readiness

The detailed information regarding vehicles and technicians underscores the importance of operational readiness and professionalism within the sampling firms. With these regulations, the Office of Cannabis Management aims to establish a gold standard in cannabis sampling, ensuring that the firms and their staff possess the expertise and resources required for the precise and consistent execution of their duties.

By fulfilling these stringent requirements, sampling firms play a pivotal role in New York’s cannabis industry, upholding product safety and quality from cultivation to consumption. If you are looking for more information about a New York State Office of Cannabis Management Cannabis Laboratory or a Cannabis Testing license, please contact CannDelta today for a free consultation.