New Jersey Cannabis Commission goes in an opposite direction than Pennsylvania’s DOH when it comes to testing cannabis, requiring that growers use the same lab for the initial and retention samples to imbue more consistency in the process

by | Mar 5, 2025 | News | 0 comments

US: New Jersey issues update on cannabis testing guidelines

Cannabis testing is the backbone of consumer safety and product transparency. The NJ-CRC has taken a significant step in refining cannabis testing standards to ensure maximum precision, better product safety, and greater transparency. After rigorous research and collaboration with industry experts and regulatory bodies, the Commission approved new testing guidelines in its February 2025 meeting.
The new testing guidance includes several key updates: smaller batch or lot sizes, increased specificity for various cannabis product categories, and expanded cannabinoid testing. Here’s what you need to know about the new testing guidelines and how you can access test results so you can make informed decisions about your cannabis products.

What has changed in cannabis testing?
Smaller batch sizes for testing – the maximum batch size for usable cannabis has been reduced from 100 pounds to 33.07 pounds to improve testing precision.

Defined lot sizes for different product types – Testing requirements now account for the unique characteristics of concentrates, vapes, edibles, topicals, and other cannabis products.

Expanded contaminant testing – Products must now undergo more rigorous testing for pesticides, heavy metals, microbes, mycotoxins, and foreign matter.

Stronger safeguards against lab shopping – Cannabis businesses must use the same lab and testing methods for both initial and retention sample testing unless they receive Commission approval to change.

More detailed cannabinoid testing – In addition to THC and CBD, labels must now include THCA, CBDA, CBG, CBGA, and CBN, providing consumers with a fuller cannabinoid profile.

What is a Certificate of Analysis (CoA)?
A Certificate of Analysis (CoA) is a lab test report that provides information on the safety, quality, and potency of a cannabis product. The NJ-CRC requires that all cannabis products undergo testing by a licensed third-party testing laboratory before being sold to consumers.

If you buy cannabis from a licensed dispensary in New Jersey, you can access a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for each product, providing insights into what you are consuming. The information on the Certificates of Analysis comes directly from the state-licensed cannabis labs that implement the NJ-CRC testing guidelines.

Why cannabis testing matters?
Cannabis testing ensures that products are safe, free of harmful contaminants, and accurately labeled. It helps identify the presence of pesticides, mold, heavy metals, residual solvents, or other substances that could pose health risks. Testing also verifies the potency of THC, CBD, other cannabinoids, and terpenes — allowing consumers to make informed decisions based on desired effects. Without proper testing, there’s no way to confirm a product meets New Jersey’s safety standards, or if it’s safe for consumption at all. Ultimately, product testing protects public health, promotes transparency, and preserves trust in the legal cannabis market.

Where can you get a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for a cannabis product?
All dispensaries are required to provide a CoA of products they sell. Consumers may request a CoA for any product a dispensary carries. Information about how to get a CoA is sometimes on product packaging.

Source: New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission

Frontpage photo: © Tinnakorn Jorruang | Dreamstime.com

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