Minneslate Logo

HF3615 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Cannabis laboratory testing requirements extended.

Related bill: SF3670

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

This bill strengthens and clarifies testing requirements for cannabis and hemp products to protect consumers. It sets when testing must happen, who can perform tests, and how laboratories must be accredited, with a plan for moving toward cannabis-specific testing standards over time.

Key testing requirements

  • Before cannabis flower, cannabis products, artificially derived cannabinoids, lower-potency hemp edibles, or hemp-derived consumer products can be sold or transferred to another cannabis or hemp business or to a customer or patient, a representative sample from the batch must be tested according to this section and the rules adopted under this chapter.
  • The testing must be completed by a cannabis testing facility licensed under this chapter or by a lab that meets the requirements described in the bill.
  • The tested sample must be found to meet the testing standards established by the office.

Labs and accreditation

  • Testing of lower-potency hemp edibles and hemp-derived consumer products that do not contain intoxicating cannabinoids may be performed by any laboratory that is accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 (the international standard for laboratory quality systems).
  • The bill introduces a transition toward cannabis-specific accreditation and standardization, with dates referenced for when these accreditation requirements apply (dates mentioned include January 1, 2026 and May 31, 2027 in the text).

Transition timeline and standards

  • The office is responsible for establishing the testing standards used to determine whether samples pass.
  • A phased approach is described, moving from general ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation to cannabis-specific accreditation by certain dates, to align testing across cannabis and hemp products.

Effects and intent

  • Purpose: improve product safety and quality by ensuring products are tested before sale.
  • Change: expands who can conduct hemp product testing (to include ISO/IEC 17025-accredited labs) and sets a path toward cannabis-specific testing accreditation.
  • Practical impact: likely increases compliance requirements and potential testing costs for businesses, while aiming to reduce unsafe or nonconforming products reaching customers.

Terminology context

The bill uses terms like cannabis flower, cannabis products, artificially derived cannabinoids, lower-potency hemp edibles, hemp-derived consumer products, testing, representative sample, batch, cannabis testing facility, licensed, accreditation, ISO/IEC 17025, and the office (testing standards and rules).

Relevant Terms - cannabis flower - cannabis products - artificially derived cannabinoids - lower-potency hemp edibles - hemp-derived consumer products - testing - representative sample - batch - cannabis testing facility - licensed - ISO/IEC 17025 - accreditation - office - testing standards - rules

Bill text versions

Past committee meetings

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 12, 2026HouseActionHouse rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day
March 16, 2026HouseActionThird reading
March 16, 2026HouseActionBill was passed
March 17, 2026SenateActionReceived from House
March 17, 2026SenateActionIntroduction and first reading
March 17, 2026SenateActionReferred toRules and Administration
March 18, 2026SenateActionComm report: Subst. for SF on General Orders
March 18, 2026SenateActionSecond reading
March 18, 2026HouseActionAuthor added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A requirement that a representative sample of the batch must be tested before sale or transfer.",
        "Testing to be completed by a cannabis testing facility licensed under this chapter or meeting the requirements of the related paragraph.",
        "The tested sample of cannabis or hemp products must meet testing standards established by the office.",
        "A provision allowing testing of lower-potency hemp edibles and hemp-derived consumer products that do not contain intoxicating cannabinoids by labs accredited to ISO/IEC 17025, with a sunset/limited-time provision."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 342.61, subdivision 1 to mandate testing of cannabis and hemp products prior to sale, require testing to be performed by a licensed cannabis testing facility (or meeting specified requirements), and require that the tested batch meet the office's testing standards; it also allows testing of lower-potency hemp edibles and hemp-derived products by ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories for a limited period.",
      "modified": [
        "Section 342.61, subdivision 1 is amended to replace prior testing language with the new framework described above."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "342.61",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

Loading…