Oregon Cannabis Testing Overview
COA Requirement:
Required.
All marijuana, usable marijuana, concentrates, extracts, and cannabinoid products must undergo compliance testing at an accredited laboratory. A Certificate of Analysis (COA) must clearly state whether the sample “Passes” or “Fails,” and results must be uploaded to METRC.
Cannabinoid Testing:
Required.
Products must be tested for:
- Δ⁹-THC
- THCA
- CBD
- CBDA
- Delta-8 THC (mandatory as of July 1, 2022)
Testing for additional cannabinoids is not required but may be reported.
Terpene Testing Requirements:
Not required.
Terpenes are not part of Oregon’s mandatory compliance testing regime.
Contaminants Tested For:
Required across product types, depending on use and harvest/manufacture date:
a. Pesticides: Required for all flower and finished inhalables.
- Products must meet action limits listed in OAR 333-007-0410, Table 3.
b. Microbiological Contaminants: Required for cannabis harvested or manufactured on/after March 1, 2023:
- Total aerobic bacteria
- Yeast and mold
- Coliforms
- Must meet thresholds defined in OAR 333-007-0390
c. Mycotoxins: Required if harvested/manufactured on or after July 1, 2022:
- Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2): Combined total must be <20 µg/kg
- Ochratoxin A: <20 µg/kg
d. Heavy Metals: Required for products harvested or manufactured on/after March 1, 2023:
- Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, and Mercury
- Must meet action levels in OAR 333-007-0410, Table 5
e. Filth and Foreign Matter: Implied through batch visual inspections but not a standalone test panel.
Contaminants Not Required (But of Concern):
- Listeria monocytogenes, Shigella spp., and Clostridium botulinum are not named
- Terpenes not required
- No requirement for Chromium, Nickel, or other non-primary metals
Risk Level:
Low Concern:
Oregon's updated regulations offer a broad and clear panel of required tests, though some secondary pathogens and metals remain unregulated.
Moisture / Water Activity:
Required for:
- Flower and trim
- Kief (unless processed via sterilization)
Pass threshold:
- Water activity ≤0.65 aw
- Moisture content ≤15%
State Cannabis Regulatory Agency:
Oregon Health Authority: Public Health Division
Website: https://www.oregon.gov/oha
Phone: (971) 673-0372 Address: 800 NE Oregon St, Portland, OR 97232
Cannabis Testing Rules: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph
References:
Oregon Health Authority, Public health division. (March 31, 2022). Chapter 333, Division 7 Marijuana and Hemp Testing, 333-007-0390. Standards for Microbiological Contaminants Compliance Testing
Oregon Health Authority, Public health division. (March 31, 2022). Chapter 333, Division 7 Marijuana and Hemp Testing, 333-007-0400. Table 3. Standards for Pesticides Compliance Testing.
Oregon Health Authority, Public health division. (March 31, 2022). Chapter 333, Division 7 Marijuana and Hemp Testing, 333-007-0410. Table 4. Standards for Solvents Compliance Testing.
Oregon Health Authority, Public health division. (March 31, 2022). Chapter 333, Division 7 Marijuana and Hemp Testing, 333-007-0415. Table 8. Standards for Heavy Metal Compliance Testing.
Oregon Health Authority, Public health division. (March 31, 2022). Chapter 333, Division 7 Marijuana and Hemp Testing, 333-007-0425. Table 9. Standards for Mycotoxin Contaminants Compliance Testing.
Oregon Health Authority. (2022, March 31). Chapter 333, Division 7: Marijuana and Hemp Testing Rules