California Cannabis Testing Overview
COA Requirement:
Required.
A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is required for all cannabis and cannabis products before retail sale or transfer, issued by a licensed laboratory under §15726.
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Required. Labs must quantify:
- Δ⁹-THC
- THCA
- CBD
- CBDA
- Total THC and Total CBD (using the decarboxylation factor: THCA × 0.877 + THC
- This is mandated in §15724, with detailed cannabinoid profiling methods listed in §§15712–15712.2.
Terpene Testing Requirements:
Required if claimed on label.
Terpenoid testing is mandated only if the label lists terpene content, per §15725. Common terpenes tested include:
- Myrcene
- Limonene
- Caryophyllene
- Linalool
- Pinene
However, terpenes are not required unless the manufacturer makes such claims.
Contaminants Tested For:
Pesticides: Comprehensive list of ~60+ analytes (see §15719)
Microbial contaminants: Including Salmonella spp., E. coli, Aspergillus flavus, fumigatus, niger, and terreus(§15720)
Mycotoxins: Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2) and Ochratoxin A (§15721)
Heavy metals: Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury (§15723)
Foreign materials: Visual inspection for hair, insects, soil, etc., is required (§15722)
Solvents: For manufactured products (§15718)
Moisture & Water Activity: Both are required for flower (§15717)
Contaminants Not Required (But of Concern):
California's testing is among the most comprehensive in the U.S.
However, a few compounds in your master list are not required, such as:
- Pesticides Not Required:
- Fosetyl-Al
- Mepiquat chloride
- Chlormequat chloride
- Microbials Not Required:
- Clostridium botulinum
- Shigella spp.
(Though high-risk pathogens are extensively covered.)
Risk Level:
Low Concern – California has one of the strictest and most complete cannabis testing programs in the country, addressing all major safety and quality risks with only minor omissions.
Moisture and Water Activity:
Required.
- Moisture content and water activity are required for dried flower, as specified in §15717.
- Action limits: aw must be ≤0.65. Moisture percentage has thresholds based on product type.
State Cannabis Regulatory Agency:
California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC)
Website: https://www.cannabis.ca.gov
Phone: (844) 612-2322
Email: info@cannabis.ca.gov
Address: 2920 Kilgore Rd, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
References:
California Bureau of Cannabis Control. (2022). California Code of Regulations Title 4 Division 19. Bureau of Cannabis Control. Bureau of Cannabis Control Text of Regulations.
California Department of Cannabis Control. (2025). Title 4, Division 19: Testing Rules