Delaware Cannabis Testing Overview

Required.
Delaware requires a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for all cannabis and cannabis products before they may be sold, transferred, or processed further. COAs must be submitted to the state's DEC3S tracking system by a licensed Testing Center. Products that fail testing may not be sold or remediated without prior Department approval.

Required.
All cannabis products must be tested for:

• Δ⁹-THC
• THCA
• CBD
• CBDA
• Total THC
• Total CBD
• Additional cannabinoids may be required if listed on product labels or used for      therapeutic claims.

Required for certain products.

• Mandatory for edible or infused products where terpenes are added or claimed.
• Labels must include the total milligrams of active terpenoids and may list      individual terpenes.
• Not required for unflavored flower unless terpene claims are made.

Comprehensive panel required.

• Pesticides: All products must comply with the state’s pesticide action limits.      Specific compounds are not published, but broad categories (e.g.      organophosphates) are restricted.

• Microbiological contaminants: Must test for total yeast/mold and microbial      contamination; specific pathogens are not explicitly listed.

• Mycotoxins: Required (e.g. aflatoxins, ochratoxin A).
• Heavy Metals: Required indirectly via state contaminant testing panels.

• Foreign Materials: Products must be visually inspected for contaminants such as dirt, insects, hair, and mold; also tested for fungal and bacterial contaminants.

Delaware’s updated testing standards are strong but still omit some specific compound-level requirements:

• Pesticide Panel Gaps:
  • No mention of: Paclobutrazol, Daminozide, Chlormequat chloride, Mepiquat chloride

• Pathogen Panel Gaps:
  • No explicit requirements for:
    • Listeria monocytogenes
    • Shigella spp.
    • Clostridium botulinum

Medium Concern: Delaware’s testing program is generally comprehensive, but some contaminant categories (especially specific pathogens and certain growth regulators) remain undefined.

Now Required (for flower and select products).
Under adult-use rules, water activity (aw) and moisture content may be required for flower and shelf-stable infused products as part of microbial risk mitigation.

Delaware Office of the Marijuana Commissioner (OMC)
Website: https://cannabismarijuana.delaware.gov

Email: omc@delaware.gov
Phone: (302) 744-4749

Address: Jesse S. Cooper Building, 417 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901

Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. (2020). Medical Marijuana Code

Delaware Office of the Marijuana Commissioner. (2024). Adult-Use Cannabis Regulations.