Michigan Cannabis Testing Labs
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Michigan Drug Testing Laws >
Does Michigan License Independent Cannabis Testing Labs?
Michigan does not have a state-owned laboratory charged with testing marijuana and marijuana products. The state, through the Cannabis Regulatory Agency of its Licensing and Regulatory Affairs department, licenses independent testing laboratories as safety compliance facilities authorized to test marijuana and marijuana products. Michigan allows licensed safety compliance facilities to test both medical and recreational marijuana.
Requirements for Marijuana Testing Labs in Michigan
Per Section R.420.305 of the Michigan Administrative Code, the state requires independent testing laboratories to have an International Organization for Standardization, ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation issued by an International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) recognized accreditation body, or the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA).
Furthermore, Michigan laws require marijuana testing laboratories to use analytical testing methodologies for the required safety tests. Such methodologies must be based on published peer-reviewed methods that have been validated for marijuana testing by an independent third party and have been internally verified by the licensing laboratory under Appendix J or K of Official Methods of Analysis authored by the Association of Official Analytical Collaboration (AOAC) International.
Michigan Required Tests for Cannabis Products
Per Section R.420.305 of the Michigan Administrative Code, the safety tests required for marijuana and marijuana products in the state are:
- Potency analysis
- Foreign matter, including powdery mildew, organic material, and inorganic material
- Microbial screening
- Chemical residue
- Heavy metals
- Residual solvents
- Water activity
- Mycotoxin screening, if requested by the Cannabis Regulatory Agency
- Target analytes, if requested by the Cannabis Regulatory Agency
How Do Michigan Marijuana Testing Labs Submit and Report Test Results?
Testing laboratories are required to report the results of the tests conducted on cannabis samples by indicating “pass” or “fail” in the statewide Metrc monitoring system and on the Certificate of Analysis (COA) within 3 business days after the completion of the tests. The results in the monitoring system and the certificate of analysis must be identical, aside from the reported testing results not required by the CRA. Unless otherwise specified, all results must be reported in parts per million (ppm) and to 3 decimal places.
How Much Does It Cost to Test Cannabis in Michigan?
There are no standard fees for cannabis testing in Michigan. Licensed testing laboratories charge varying fees depending on the sample volume, testing type, and other factors. For specific cannabis test costs, contact approved testing laboratories in the state.
What Happens to Cannabis Products That Fail Lab Tests in Michigan?
Per Cannabis Regulatory Agency rules, a marijuana product that has failed testing at an approved laboratory may be retested, remediated, or destroyed. For a batch to be eligible for removal from quarantine and proceed to sale and transfer, the failed product initially tested must pass two separate tests with new samples consecutively. Failed products may be retested until passing results are obtained.
Also, remediated products must pass two consecutive retests to confirm that contaminants have been appropriately remediated and are no longer present in concentrations or levels exceeding the CRA action limit. After cannabis flower is remediated, it must be retested for potency. After an extracted product is remediated, it must be retested for residual solvents. The CRA allows failed products to be remediated until passing results are obtained.
If a marijuana product fails retesting or remediation, it must be destroyed in compliance with the Michigan Administrative Rules.
List of Cannabis Testing Labs in Michigan
Although Michigan does not provide a list of licensed safety compliance facilities, there are over 20 cannabis testing labs with active licenses in the state. The Cannabis Regulatory Agency provides a tool on its website for users to verify licensed marijuana businesses in the state.
