Minnesota Cannabis Testing Labs
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Does Minnesota License Independent Cannabis Testing Labs?
The Minnesota Department of Health, through its Medical Cannabis Laboratory Approval Program, issues licenses to third-party testing laboratories located in the state to test medical cannabis. Even though recreational cannabis is legal in Minnesota, there are currently no registered testing facilities licensed for its testing. The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management will be responsible for licensing cannabis businesses interested in testing recreational cannabis.
Requirements for Marijuana Testing Labs in Minnesota
Marijuana testing laboratories in Minnesota must be ISO/IEC 17025 accredited to ensure technical competency and guarantee the validity of test results. Other requirements expected of approved testing laboratories by the Commissioner of the Department of Health are:
- Providing reports to medical marijuana manufacturers
- Notifying the Commissioner of any changes in its operation within 30 days
- Providing reports regarding microbial compositions, dosages, and non-cannabis drug interactions
Minnesota Required Tests for Cannabis Products
In Minnesota, testing facilities can test cannabis and cannabis products for the following analytes:
- Cannabinoid profile
- Metals
- Microbiological contaminants and mycotoxins
- Pesticides residues and plant growth regulators
- Residual solvents
How Do Minnesota Marijuana Testing Labs Submit and Report Test Results?
A cannabis testing laboratory in Minnesota is expected to issue a certification to a cannabis manufacturer or cultivator to either transfer their samples to another cannabis business or sell them to customers if the sample meets the applicable testing standards. Failure to meet testing standards can result in the remediation, retesting, or destruction of the entire batch.
How Much Does It Cost to Test Cannabis in Minnesota?
Cannabis manufacturers in Minnesota who are interested in having their medical cannabis and cannabis products tested can contact any of the approved testing facilities by visiting their websites or calling them in order to inquire about their pricing.
What Happens to Cannabis Products That Fail Lab Tests in Minnesota?
Minnesota allows the remediation and retesting of cannabis that failed initial required testing. Dried raw cannabis samples that failed water activity and moisture content testing can be used to make medical marijuana concentrate or continue to be cured. If the dried raw cannabis fails microbiological contaminant or mycotoxin testing, the manufacturer can remediate it only once, then resubmit it for testing. If the sample submitted fails the contaminant testing after the process of remediation, the manufacturer can choose to either use the test batch to make cannabis concentrate in a way that the processing method effectively sterilizes the batch or dispose of them as medical cannabis waste.
A manufacturer can choose to remediate dried raw cannabis that failed heavy metal testing by using a processing method that effectively removes the heavy metals from the batch. The test batch must be disposed of as medical cannabis waste if it fails retesting.
List of Cannabis Testing Labs in Minnesota
Currently, Minnesota has only registered two medical cannabis testing laboratories that can partner with and accept medical cannabis from licensed cannabis manufacturers in the state. These are: