New Jersey Cannabis Testing Overview
COA Requirement:
Required.
All cannabis batches must undergo testing by a licensed New Jersey cannabis testing laboratory. A Certificate of Analysis (COA) must be completed before a product may be released for sale, distribution, or further processing. COAs must now follow CRC’s newly adopted batch-size limits and confirm all required analytes.
Cannabinoid Testing Requirements:
All cannabis products must be tested for the following cannabinoids:
- Δ⁹-THC
- THCA
- CBD
- CBDA
- CBG
- CBN
- THC-V
- CBDV
- CBC
- Total THC and Total CBD (calculated using standard formulas)
These cannabinoids must be quantified on COAs and disclosed on product labels where applicable.
Terpene Testing Requirements:
Required (if claimed).
Terpenes must be quantified if listed on a product’s label or used in marketing. Labs must report:
- Total terpene percentage
- Major individual terpenes if known or claimed
Products not listing terpenes do not require terpene analysis.
Contaminants Tested For
Required by CRC rules adopted May 2025. All products must be tested for the following categories:
a. Pesticides:
- Over 40 pesticides and growth regulators are prohibited
- Action limits are defined per compound
- Detection above limits results in batch failure
- Banned compounds include: Myclobutanil, Daminozide, DDVP, Paclobutrazol, Chlormequat chloride
b. Microbiological Contaminants:
- Salmonella spp., E. coli (STEC), Listeria monocytogenes: None detected
- Total aerobic count: ≤100,000 CFU/g
- Total yeast and mold: ≤10,000 CFU/g
c. Mycotoxins:
- Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2): ≤20 ppb (combined)
- Ochratoxin A: ≤20 ppb
d. Heavy Metals:
- Must test for:
- Arsenic
- Cadmium
- Lead
- Mercury
- Chromium (required for flower only)
e. Foreign Matter / Visual Contaminants: Visual inspection is mandatory for all cannabis and infused products. Labs must reject any batch containing:
- Hair
- Mold
- Insect parts
- Feces
- Plastic, glass, or metal fragments
Contaminants Not Required (But of Concern):
None noted under current CRC rules. New Jersey’s updated program addresses nearly all contaminants of concern, including:
- Vitamin E acetate (banned in inhalables)
- MCT oil (screened if added)
- Broad microbial and pesticide panels
Risk Level:
Low Concern:
New Jersey now uses its own testing protocols (effective May 2025), replacing Maryland's standards. The state enforces detailed rules for batch sizes, testing thresholds, and confirmatory testing protocols that enhance consumer safety and lab reliability.
Moisture and Water Activity:
Required.
- Flower: ≤0.65 aw
State Cannabis Regulatory Agency:
New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC)
Website: https://www.nj.gov/cannabis
Email: crc.info@crc.nj.gov
Phone: (609) 376-7300
Address: P.O. Box 216, Trenton, NJ 08625
References:
New Jersey Administrative Code. (August 19, 2021). New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, Personal Use Cannabis Rules, Special Adopted New Rules N. J. A. C. 17:30.
New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (January 27, 2022). Resolution 2022-7 Amendment to Interim Testing Standards Designated Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 24:6I-19.
New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission. (2024). Updated Testing Standards (based on Maryland MMCC standards)
New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission. (2025). Revised cannabis testing guidance.