Section 246-70-050 - Quality assurance testing(1) Testing interval and sample size. (a) The testing requirements of this section are in addition to the tests required under WAC 314-55-102 and shall be performed by a third-party testing lab certified by the WSLCB.(b) Pesticide screening and heavy metal screening are required at the following time(s): (i) For all marijuana flowers, trim, leaves, or other plant matter, intended for retail sale without extraction, at the time of harvest or when placed into lots.(ii) For all products intended for retail sale as concentrates, extracts, or for use as an intermediate product, screening is required only after extraction and is not required according to (b)(i) of this subsection.(iii) An imported cannabinoid must be screened prior to addition to any marijuana product.(c) Minimum sample size for pesticide screening and heavy metal screening: (i) For screening at harvest, three grams for every three pounds of harvested product. Harvest amounts will be rounded up to the next three-pound interval. For example, a harvest of less than three pounds requires at least three grams for testing; a harvest of three or more pounds but less than six pounds requires at least six grams for testing.(ii) For screening a lot, three grams per lot.(iii) For screening a batch of finished concentrates, extracts, or intermediate products, two grams per batch.(iv) For screening imported cannabinoids, one percent of the product as packaged by the manufacturer of the imported cannabinoid but in no case shall the sample be less than two grams.(d) Mycotoxin screening is required whenever microbial testing for any marijuana product is required by the WSLCB.(e) Licensed marijuana producers, licensed marijuana processors, and certified third-party labs must follow the sampling protocols in chapter 314-55 WAC.(f) At the request of the producer or processor, the WSLCB may authorize a retest to validate a failed test result on a case-by-case basis. All costs of the retest will be borne by the producer or processor.(2) Pesticide screening. (a) Only allowed pesticides shall be used in the production, processing, and handling of marijuana. Pesticide use must be consistent with the manufacturer's label requirements.(b) Certified third-party labs must screen for any pesticides that are not allowed and are designated as having the potential for misuse on a list created, maintained, and periodically updated by the department in consultation with the Washington state department of agriculture and the WSLCB. Certified third-party labs must also screen for pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide (PBO) in samples of concentrates, extracts, intermediate products, and imported cannabinoids. Certified third-party labs may also screen for additional pesticides.(c) For purposes of the pesticide screening, a sample of any marijuana product shall be deemed to have failed if a pesticide that is not allowed is detected above the action level for that pesticide as determined by the WSLCB under chapter 314-55 WAC.(d) A harvest, lot, or batch deemed to have failed pesticide screening must be destroyed according to chapter 314-55 WAC. Marijuana flowers, trim, leaves, or other plant matter deemed to have failed pesticide screening must not be used to create extracts or concentrates. Imported cannabi-noids deemed to have failed pesticide screening must not be added to any marijuana product.(e) Pesticides containing allowed pyrethrins or piperonyl butoxide (PBO) may not be applied less than seven days prior to harvest.(f) All individuals applying pesticides shall adhere to the agricultural use requirements on the label. Pesticide applications that do not follow the pesticide product label may pose risks to public health and safety and are a violation of chapter 15.58 RCW.(3) Heavy metal screening. (a) For the purposes of heavy metal screening, a sample shall be deemed to have passed if it meets the following standards: | Metal | Limit, µg/daily dose (5 grams) |
| Inorganic arsenic ................. | 10.0 |
| Cadmium ................. | 4.1 |
| Lead ................. | 6.0 |
| Mercury ................. | 2.0 |
(b) A harvest, lot, or batch deemed to have failed heavy metal screening must be destroyed according to chapter 314-55 WAC. Marijuana flowers, trim, leaves, or other plant matter deemed to have failed heavy metal screening must not be used to create extracts or concentrates. Imported cannabi-noids deemed to have failed heavy metal screening must not be added to any marijuana product.(4) For purposes of mycotoxin screening, a sample shall be deemed to have passed if it meets the following standards: | Test | Specification |
| The total of aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin B2, aflatoxin G1 and aflatoxin G2 ....... | <20 µG/kg of substance |
| Ochratoxin A .......... | <20 µG/kg of substance |
(5) Terpenes. (a) Terpene analysis is not required. If terpene content is listed on product packaging or label, a terpene analysis from a certified third-party lab must be available for review by the consumer upon request.(b) The addition of any terpene to useable marijuana is prohibited. Only the following terpenes may be added to a marijuana product other than useable marijuana. (i) Terpenes naturally occurring in marijuana; or (ii) Terpenes permitted or generally recognized as safe by, and used in accordance with, 21 C.F.R., Chapter I, sub-chapter B.Wash. Admin. Code § 246-70-050
Adopted by WSR 16-20-022, Filed 9/27/2016, effective 10/28/2016