HF3615

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