Alaska Cannabis Testing Overview

Required.
Per 3 AAC 306.340, retail marijuana stores may not sell any cannabis or cannabis product unless it has passed all laboratory testing required under 3 AAC 306.645 and is labeled accordingly.

Required.

Cannabis and cannabis products must be tested for:

• Total THC (Δ⁹-THC + THCA)
   
• CBD
   
• THCV
   
• CBG
   
• CBN
   
• Total cannabinoid percentage (depending on product type)
  (See 3 AAC 306.645 and related testing standards).

Not required.

There is no mandate for terpene testing in Alaska regulations. Some labs may report terpene profiles voluntarily, but this is not enforced by the state.

Comprehensive panel required.

Per 3 AAC 306.645, all products must be tested for:

• Pesticides: Labs must detect and quantify pesticide residues. Action limits are not published in statute but align with health-based exposure thresholds.
   
• Microbial Contaminants: Required screening includes:
   
  • Total yeast and mold
     
  • Total aerobic bacteria
     
  • E. coli, Salmonella spp., Aspergillus species
    Some pathogens (e.g., Listeria, Clostridium botulinum, Shigella) are not specifically named but may be covered under broader microbial categories.
     
• Mycotoxins: Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2) and Ochratoxin A are expected; testing for additional mycotoxins like zearalenone is not explicitly required.
   
• Heavy Metals: Required metals include:
   
  • Arsenic
     
  • Lead
     
  • Mercury
     
  • Cadmium
    However, Chromium, Nickel, Barium, Selenium, and Silver are not specifically listed.
     
• Foreign Materials: No explicit standard exists for filth (e.g., hair, insects, sand), but AMCC allows labs to document and flag such issues. Not yet a defined pass/fail criterion

The following gaps remain:

• No terpene testing
   
• No defined standards for:
   
  • Chromium, Nickel, Silver, Barium, Selenium
     
  • Listeria monocytogenes, Shigella spp., Clostridium botulinum
     
  • Filth/foreign materials
     
  • Additional mycotoxins beyond aflatoxins and ochratoxin A

Moderate Concern:

 While Alaska’s testing framework is now in place and being implemented, some contaminant categories lack specificity, and COAs are not consumer-facing. Enforcement, lab oversight, and analytical consistency remain early-stage. 

Required.

Per 3 AAC 306.645 and related subsections, cannabis flower must be tested for both:

• Moisture content (generally ≤13%)
   
• Water activity (aw ≤0.65)

This prevents mold growth and helps define shelf stability

Alaska Marijuana Control Board

Website: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/amco/

Phone: (907) 269-0350

Email: marijuana.licensing@alaska.gov

Office: 550 W 7th Ave, Suite 1600, Anchorage, AK 99501

Alaska Administrative Code. (2025). 3 AAC 306.645: Laboratory Testing of Marijuana and Marijuana Products. 

https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/alaska/3-AAC-306-645

Alaska Marijuana Control Board. (2025). Labelling Requirements for Marijuana Test Results. 

https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/Attachment.aspx?id=153861