Georgia Cannabis Testing Overview

Required.
A Certificate of Analysis (COA) must be issued by a licensed independent testing laboratory for each manufactured batch of low-THC oil prior to release. The COA must confirm that the product passed all required cannabinoid potency and contaminant tests, and must be submitted to the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission before distribution to a pharmacy or dispensary.

Required.
Labs must test for the following cannabinoids:

• Δ⁹-THC
• THCA
• Δ⁸-THC
• Δ¹⁰-THC
• Exo-THC
• CBD
• CBDA
• CBG
• CBGA
• CBN
• CBC
• CBDV
• THCV

Total THC must be calculated as:

(THCA × 0.877) + Δ⁹-THC + Δ⁸-THC + Δ¹⁰-THC + Exo-THC
Potency must be reported in milligrams per serving and milligrams per package for final products (351-7-.07(3)(a)).

Not required.
Terpene analysis is not required for regulatory compliance, and there are no terpene labeling mandates under current GMCC rules. 

Comprehensive panel required.
Testing laboratories must perform the following assessments:

• Microbial Contaminants:
  Labs must test for total aerobic bacteria, yeast and mold, and known human      pathogens. Specific organisms (e.g., E. coli, Salmonella) are expected but not named in the regulation.

• Mycotoxins:
  Required, but not identified by name in the rules. Labs must screen for “known cannabis mycotoxins” and ensure results are below detection thresholds.

• Heavy Metals:
  Required, with action limits for the following:
  • Arsenic
  • Cadmium
  • Lead
  • Mercury
         
• Pesticides:
  Georgia restricts the use of non-organic pesticides. Only certified organic pesticides may be applied to cannabis. Pesticide usage must be logged, and labs must test for residues, though no explicit list of banned compounds is provided.

• Foreign Materials:
  Visual inspection of each batch is required. Testing laboratories must      screen for visible contamination, including:
  • Insect parts
  • Hair
  • Mold
  • Dirt
  • Other non-cannabis material.

Despite robust oversight, the following issues remain:

• No explicit naming of:
  • Listeria monocytogenes, Shigella spp., or Clostridium botulinum
  • Mycotoxins such as aflatoxins B1–G2 or ochratoxin A

• No published banned pesticide list (e.g., daminozide, paclobutrazol, chlormequat chloride)

• Terpenes are not tested or reported

• Visual contaminant thresholds (e.g., % foreign matter) are not defined numerically

Medium Concern: Georgia’s regulations cover key testing categories and enforce a consistent COA process. However, lack of specificity for certain contaminants and the absence of terpene or advanced pathogen screening reduce transparency and comparability.

Not explicitly required.
Moisture content and water activity are not addressed in the current testing standards, though they may be considered under general product stability and microbial prevention expectations.

Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission (GMCC)
Website: https://gmcc.ga.gov
Email: info@gmcc.ga.gov
Phone: (800) 805-9980
Address: 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr SE, Suite 356, Atlanta, GA 30334 

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 351-7-.04 – Independent Laboratory Accreditation and Operational Standards.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 351-7-.05 – Sample Collection Requirements.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 351-7-.07 – Testing Requirements for Cannabis Products.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 351-7-.08 – Certificate of Analysis and Reporting Requirements.