TRENTON – During its public meeting on February 18, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) approved a set of updated cannabis testing guidelines. These new standards will replace the guidelines the Commission has been following since June 2021, which were based on Maryland’s testing protocols.

Key Updates to Testing Guidelines

The NJ-CRC has created its own, more specific testing requirements. These include adjustments to batch sizes, further categorization of cannabis products, and enhanced cannabinoid testing.

Under the updated guidelines, the maximum batch size for testing usable cannabis has been reduced from 100 pounds to 33.07 pounds. Additionally, the new rules provide specific batch sizes for testing other cannabis products, such as concentrates, vaporized formulations, and edibles, to ensure that sample sizes align with product types.

Furthermore, the guidelines introduce mandatory safety testing for cannabis that is deemed unusable for sale but will be used in manufacturing. This includes testing for contaminants such as foreign matter, pesticides, microbes, mycotoxins, and heavy metals. To assist testing labs and cannabis businesses, the Commission has provided a reference chart outlining the necessary tests for different product categories, along with updated contaminant limits to improve the accuracy of results.

All cannabis businesses must use the same lab and testing methods for both initial and retained sample testing unless a contract violation occurs. Any changes to the laboratory, technology, or testing protocols must be approved by the Commission in advance.

The new labeling requirements mandate that cannabis products display not only THC and CBD content but also THCA, CBDA, CBG, CBGA, and CBN levels, providing consumers with a more comprehensive view of the cannabinoid profile.

Implementation Timeline

Testing laboratories must implement changes to sampling procedures by Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Additionally, they must adopt changes to initial and stability testing methods by Friday, May 23, 2025, in accordance with the Commission’s new guidelines.

“The updated testing protocols reflect thorough research and collaboration with industry professionals and regulatory bodies,” said Christopher Riggs, Acting Executive Director of NJ-CRC. “Our goal is to improve product safety, consistency, and transparency within the cannabis industry, benefiting both consumers and patients.”

SEEF Public Hearings Scheduled

The NJ-CRC also announced the upcoming virtual hearings for the 2025 Social Equity Excise Fee (SEEF). Three Zoom meetings will be held on:

• Tuesday, February 18 at 11 a.m.
• Thursday, February 20 at 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, February 26 at 1 p.m.

Participants can register to speak or submit written comments at njcrcgov.info/SEEF.

Commissioner Krista Nash emphasized the Commission’s commitment to effectively allocating SEEF funds. She noted that three reports with recommendations had been submitted to the New Jersey Legislature since 2022, highlighting the importance of public input in guiding those decisions.

For additional details on the Social Equity Excise Fee and past legislative recommendations, visit www.nj.gov/cannabis/resources/reports-stats-info.

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission is responsible for establishing and enforcing rules related to cannabis licensing, cultivation, testing, sales, and purchases within the state.