NEW Cannabis QA Testing Rules

WSR 17-12-032 Revision to WAC 314-55

On Thursday, August 31, 2017, new rules changes to cannabis QA Testing will take effect. Certain product types will now require additional QA Testing. The True Northwest labs have upgraded equipment to ensure that it is certified to meet all prerequisites for the upcoming testing changes. The details below will outline the new changes. As always, please contact us directly with any questions.

Required Tests:

1. Flower Samples
   • Potency- reported as THCA, THC, Total THC, CBDA, CBD, Total CBD
   • Foreign Matter
   • Microbial (change to limits)
   • Moisture Analyisis
   • Water Activity Level (NEW)
   • Mycotoxin (NEW)
2. Concentrates (Hydrocarbon, CO2, Ethanol, Food Grade Solvents)
   • Potency- reported as THCA, THC, Total THC, CBDA, CBD, Total CBD
   • Residual Solvents- NEW Limits Requirement
   • Mycotoxin (NEW)- only required if using LOTS of flower material or other material that has not passed QA Testing
3. Infuse Cooking Oil or Fats in Solid Form
   • Potency- reported as THCA, THC, Total THC, CBDA, CBD, Total CBD
   • Microbial- only required if using LOTS of flower material or other material that has not passed QA Testing
   • Mycotoxin (NEW)- only required if using LOTS of flower material or other material that has not passed QA Testing

NEW Failure Criteria:

1. Microbial Limits
   • Gram Negative/Bile Tolerant: (10,000 cfu/g)
   • E. coli: (Not detected in 1 g)
   • Salmonella: (Not detected in 1 g)
2. Mycotoxin Limits
   • Total of Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2: (20 µg/kg) *interchangeable with parts per billion
   • Ochratoxin A: (20 µg/kg) *interchangeable with parts per billion
3. Residual Solvents Limits
   • Acetone: 5,000 ppm
   • Benzene: 2 ppm
   • Butanes: 5,000 ppm 
   • Cyclohexane: 3,880 ppm
   • Chloroform: 2 ppm
   • Dichloromethane: 600 ppm
   • Ethyl acetate: 5,000 ppm
   • Heptanes: 5,000 ppm
   • Hexanes: 290 ppm
   • Isopropanol (2-propanol): 5,000 ppm
   • Methanol: 3,000 ppm
   • Pentanes: 5,000 ppm
   • Propane: 5,000 ppm
   • Toluene: 890 ppm
   • Xylene: 2,170 ppm
4. Water Activity Limits
   • 0.65 a_w

QA Sample Labeling:

The following information must be present on all QA samples containers:

1. The words “Quality Assurance Sample”
2. The 16-digit QA Sample ID generated by the traceability system
3. The name and license number of the lab receiving the sample
4. The name and license number of the licensee sending the sample
5. The date the sample was collected
6. The weight of the sample