North Dakota Cannabis Testing Overview
COA Requirement:
Required.
Before any transfer of usable cannabis to a dispensary, the batch must pass compliance testing by a laboratory contracted by the Department of Health. All results must be documented, and failed tests must be reported and retested or remediated before release.
Cannabinoid Testing Requirements:
Required.
Cannabinoid concentration testing must include:
- THC
- THCA
- CBD
- CBDA
Total THC = THC + (0.877 × THCA) Total CBD = CBD + (0.877 × CBDA) Moisture-adjusted concentrations must also be reported using dry weight conversions
Terpene Testing Requirements:
Not required.
Optional upon manufacturer request, and terpene information may only appear on product labels if testing is performed by a certified lab.
Contaminants Tested For:
Required across multiple categories:
a. Pesticides & Degradation Products:Must meet the most stringent EPA food tolerancesunder 40 CFR 180. If any pesticide or its degradation product is detected above those limits, the batch fails.
b. Microbiological Contaminants (CFU/g limits):
- Dried flower & medical products:
- Aerobic bacteria: ≤10⁵
- Yeast/mold: ≤10⁴
- Coliforms: ≤10³
- Bile-tolerant GNB: ≤10³
- E.coli & Salmonella: Not detected in 1g
c. Mycotoxins:
- Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2): <20 µg/kg
- Ochratoxin A: <20 µg/kg
d. Heavy Metals (ppm limits):
- Arsenic: ≤0.4
- Cadmium: ≤0.3
- Lead: ≤1.0
- Mercury: ≤0.2
Contaminants Not Required (But of Concern):
- Terpenes: not required unless manufacturer requests it
- Listeria monocytogenes and Shigella spp. not mentioned
- No foreign material (e.g., hair, insects) testing is specified
- Chromium and Nickel not included in heavy metal panel
Risk Level:
Medium Concern: Strong panel, but gaps remain in foreign matter inspection, terpene standardization, and secondary pathogens.
Moisture and Water Activity:
Required.
- Flower must be ≤15% moisture and ≤0.65 aw to pass testing
State Cannabis Regulatory Agency:
North Dakota Department of Health: Division of Medical Marijuana
Website: https://www.health.nd.gov/mm
Phone: (701) 328-1311
Address: 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, ND 58505
Email: medmarijuana@nd.gov
Reference:
North Dakota Department of Health. (2022). Article 33-44-01 – Medical Marijuana.