• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • A2LA Annual Conference
  • Apply
  • Blog
  • Accreditation Estimate Request Form
  • Portal
  • Search Organizations
a2la logo

A2LA

A Better World Through Accreditation

  • Accreditation
    • ISO/IEC 17025 – Testing/Calibration Laboratories
      • Acoustics and Vibration Testing
      • Biological Testing Program
        • Cannabis Testing
        • Food And Pharmaceutical Accreditation
        • Veterinary Laboratory Accreditation Program
        • FDA ASCA Pilot Program (Basic Safety And Essential Performance)
        • Threat Agent Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program
        • FDA ASCA Pilot Program (Biocompatibility Testing Of Medical Devices)
      • Calibration
      • Chemical Testing
        • Veterinary Laboratory Accreditation Program
        • Competition Animal Drug Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program
        • Food And Pharmaceutical Accreditation
        • A2LA Consumer Product Safety Testing (CPSC)
        • Cannabis Testing
        • WADA Testing Accreditation
        • Oregon Toxic-Free Kids Act Accreditation Program
        • Threat Agent Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program
      • Construction Material Testing Accreditation
        • Harris County, TX/City Of Houston/Houston Port Authority
      • Electrical Testing Accreditation
        • The A2LA U.S. Federal Communications Commission Equipment Authorization Program
        • CTIA Wireless Association
        • A2LA Consumer Product Safety Testing (CPSC)
        • Bluetooth Testing Program
        • EPA ENERGY STAR Program
        • NAVAIR
        • Automotive EMC Laboratory Recognition Program (AEMCLRP)
        • Notified Body Accreditation Program
        • The A2LA Project 25 (P25) Compliance Assessment Program
        • FDA ASCA Pilot Program (Basic Safety And Essential Performance)
        • ISED Equipment Authorization Program
      • Environmental Testing Accreditation
        • The A2LA CA ELAP Laboratory Assessment Program
        • EPA National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP)
        • Kentucky Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program
        • DOECAP Audit Program Accreditation
        • DOD Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program
        • TNI Field Sampling & Measurement Organization (FSMO) Accreditation Program
        • Air Emission Testing Body Assessment Program (AETBs)
        • DOD Advanced Geophysical Classification Accreditation Program (DAGCAP)
        • Wyoming Storage Tank Remediation (STR) Program
        • State Environmental Laboratory Assessment Program
      • Forensic Examination Accreditation Program
      • Geotechnical Accreditation Program
        • Harris County, TX/City Of Houston/Houston Port Authority
        • Putting Green Laboratory Accreditation Program (PUG)
      • Information Technology
        • Gaming Standards Association (GSA)
        • Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6)
      • Mechanical Testing Accreditation
        • A2LA Consumer Product Safety Testing (CPSC)
        • EPA ENERGY STAR Program
        • Business & Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association Compliant Program
        • Counterfeit Part Avoidance Testing
      • Nondestructive
      • Sampling & Testing Accreditation
      • Sustainable Energy Testing
        • EPA ENERGY STAR Program
      • Thermal
        • A2LA Consumer Product Safety Testing (CPSC)
        • EPA ENERGY STAR Program
    • ISO/IEC 17020 – Inspection Bodies
      • ISO/IEC 17020 – Inspection Body Accreditation Program
        • Forensic Examination Accreditation Program
        • Special Inspections Accreditation Program
        • Cybersecurity Inspection Body Program
        • FedRAMP Third Party Assessment Organizations (3PAO)
        • Field Evaluation Body (FEB) Accreditation Program
        • Notified Body Accreditation Program
    • ISO/IEC 17065 – Product Certification Bodies
      • ISO/IEC 17065 Product Compliance Certification Accreditations
        • The A2LA Telecommunication Certification Body Program
        • EPA WaterSense Program
        • EPA ENERGY STAR Program
        • Notified Body Accreditation Program
    • ISO/IEC 17043 – Proficiency Testing Providers
      • The A2LA Proficiency Testing Provider Accreditation Program
    • ISO 17034 – Reference Materials Producers
      • ISO 17034 – Reference Materials Producers Accreditation Program
    • ISO 15189 and CLIA – Clinical Testing Laboratories
      • ISO 15189 & CLIA – Clinical Testing Laboratories Accreditation Program
    • ISO 20387 – Biobanking Accreditation Program
      • ISO 20387 – Biobanking Accreditation Program
  • About
    • Overview
    • Board of Directors
    • Careers
    • Leadership
    • Recognitions
    • Regulators and Specifiers
  • Resources
    • Acronym Glossary
    • Annual Reports
    • Documents
    • Downloadable Content
    • FAQs
    • Press Releases
    • Training By A2LA WPT
  • Our Membership Options
  • Get a Quote
  • Online Payment

Cannabis Testing

Home » Accreditations » Cannabis Testing

A2LA is the leader in cannabis accreditation, offering accreditation to laboratories performing analytical testing of cannabis and cannabis-derived products, such as flowers, concentrates, butters/waxes, drinks, tinctures, oils and edibles, as well as hemp and hemp-derived products.

A2LA’s Cannabis Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program was developed to promote confidence to users and regulators with regard to the safety of medical and recreational marijuana through the accreditation of cannabis testing laboratories and (when relevant) inspection bodies. Appropriate testing is critical to demonstrate that these products do not contain harmful levels of contaminants or adulterants and are safe for public consumption.

Specific testing may include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Cannabinoid testing and content (CBC, CBD, CBDa, CBG, CBN, THC, THCa, THCv, etc.) 
  • Terpene profile 
  • Pesticides/fungicides/plant growth regulators 
  • Residual solvents 
  • Heavy metals 
  • Microbiological contaminants (mold, insects, bacteria, etc.) 

Laboratories can also be accredited for the sampling associated with subsequent testing. Click here for more information.

A2LA can accredit laboratories for hemp testing prior to cannabis being legalized in their state or in lieu of/addition to cannabis testing.

Confidence in the laboratories that perform this testing, and assurance in the test results, is possible through accreditation to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. The ISO/IEC 17025 standard is non-prescriptive and flexible, allowing the organization maximum flexibility in determining what works best for their business needs.

Program Requirements

Cannabis testing laboratories are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 and any additional requirements that may be specified by the state in which the laboratory resides or does business. Cannabis testing laboratories may select one of two tracks for A2LA accreditation. The accreditation tracks both provide independent, third-party accreditation assessments crafted to serve both the medical cannabis and recreational adult-use markets. These tracks are as follows:

  • ISO/IEC 17025 as the primary framework, along with any additional, state-specific requirements
  • ISO/IEC 17025 and the additional accreditation requirements derived from the Americans for Safe Access (ASA) Patient Focused Certification (PFC) Program for testing laboratories. (A2LA Document R243 – Contact us to request a copy of this requirements document)

The PFC Laboratory Operations requirements are constructed in accordance with the Recommendations to Regulators for Cannabis Operations, a guide developed by the Cannabis Committee for the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA). An assessment to these additional requirements is voluntary. The additional requirements include security, personnel training, sample receipt, chain of custody, handling and disposal, and data review.

Note: Completion of an assessment to the ASA PFC requirements does not infer recognition or certification by ASA. Please refer to R243 for ASA PFC Recognition/Certification process details.


Please contact us for more information on specific state requirements for testing to determine the minimum cannabis testing required. 
 

Footer

Headquarters 5202 Presidents Court, Ste 220 Frederick, MD 21703
301.644.3248
info@A2LA.org
Social Icon
Social Icon
Social Icon
Social Icon
  • Careers
  • Contact A2LA
  • Lodging a Complaint
  • Get Involved
  • Privacy Agreement
  • Online Payment
  • A2LA Annual Conference
  • Apply
  • Blog
  • Accreditation Estimate Request Form
  • Portal
  • Search Organizations

© 2023 A2LA · Powered by Orases Custom Software · Website Privacy Policy & Terms of Use