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Virginia Cannabis Testing Labs

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Does Virginia License Independent Cannabis Testing Labs?

Yes. Qualified entities can obtain licenses to operate independent cannabis testing laboratories in Virginia. Per Section 54.1-3423(C) of the Code of Virginia, a practitioner must obtain registration to conduct research or laboratory analysis with marijuana or controlled substances listed in Schedules II through IV. Currently, the Board for Professional and Occupational Regulation is responsible for issuing controlled substances registration certificates to independent marijuana testing labs in the Commonwealth. Once the sale of recreational marijuana begins in Virginia, the state's Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) will be responsible for licensing marijuana testing facilities.

Requirements for Marijuana Testing Labs in Virginia

Per 18VAC110-60-300, a registered cannabis testing laboratory in Virginia must satisfy the following requirements:

  • They must have in employment at least one person with a certificate from a university or college accredited by a regional or national certifying authority who will be responsible for laboratory testing
  • They must be truly independent from other individuals involved in the Commonwealth's cannabis industry who may have a direct or indirect interest in the laboratory operations
  • They must have proof of accreditation (or proof that they have applied) in testing and calibration in compliance with the most current version of ISO/IEC 17025
  • They must maintain a controlled substances registration certificate authorizing the testing of marijuana products

Virginia Required Tests for Cannabis Products

As stipulated in 18VAC110-60-300(C), registered marijuana testing laboratories in Virginia are required to test for the following from each harvest batch of botanical cannabis products provided by pharmaceutical processors:

  • Pesticides
  • Microbiological contaminants
  • Heavy metals
  • Mycotoxins
  • Water activity
  • Moisture content
  • Chemical residue

In addition to testing a sample of marijuana made available to a cannabis testing lab for these constituents/impurities, the lab is also required to conduct an active ingredient analysis and terpenes profile on them.

How Do Virginia Marijuana Testing Labs Submit and Report Test Results?

The results obtained from tests conducted by registered cannabis testing laboratories in Virginia must be reported to the pharmaceutical processors that provided such batches of marijuana. As required by 18VAC110-60-300, a marijuana testing lab must file with the Board for Professional and Occupational Regulation a copy of each test result for any batch that fails the required tests. The copy filed with the Board must be sent at the same time the testing facility transmits it to the pharmaceutical processor.

How Much Does It Cost to Test Cannabis in Virginia?

The cost of testing cannabis products in Virginia is not fixed and is usually determined by the testing lab, the sample size, and what is being tested. Typically, most registered cannabis testing labs in the Commonwealth maintain the cost of individual tests on their chain of custody forms.

What Happens to Cannabis Products That Fail Lab Tests in Virginia?

In Virginia, the batch of any sample of botanical marijuana product that fails the water activity, mycotoxin, microbiological, moisture content, or heavy metal test based on the standards stipulated in 18VAC110-60-300 may be remediated. Once remediated, the batch must be retested for these elements, and an active ingredient analysis and terpenes profile must be conducted. However, if it does not pass retesting, the batch of cannabis may be deemed usable cannabis and processed into cannabis oil unless the failure is related to pesticide requirements.

Any botanical marijuana product that fails the pesticide chemical residue test in Virginia cannot be remediated. The batch from which such a sample was provided cannot be considered usable and may not be processed into cannabis oil. Hence, the pharmaceutical processor must destroy the entire batch while the lab destroys the sample tested.

List of Cannabis Testing Labs in Virginia

  • Trichome Analytical
  • New Bloom Labs
  • Indy Health Labs
  • Green Analytics Virginia/ECC Test Lab
  • Ionization Labs
  • Terramor Technologies LLC
  • Sativa Testing Laboratories LLC