Sample Size Requirements for Cannabis Testing in New Jersey

Requirements for testing cannabis products – in New Jersey and other states – include how much of the product is sufficient to properly conduct the test. The right sample size from each batch is required to ensure it is representative of the broader product. To that end, regulatory bodies set sample size requirements to ensure accurate results with each test performed.

In this blog, you will learn:

• New Jersey’s sample size requirements for cannabis testing

• Why representative sampling is important in cannabis testing

• What homogeneity testing is and how it relates to cannabis sampling

• How redundant potency testing is performed for cannabis samples

What are New Jersey’s sample size requirements for cannabis testing?

The State of New Jersey requires 0.5% of every batch of cannabis or cannabis-derived product to be tested by a cannabis analysis laboratory. For example, if a cultivator produces 10 pounds of cannabis, approximately 22.7 grams would be subject to testing by an independent cannabis testing lab. This ensures that a representative amount of cannabis flower is tested each time a crop is harvested, offering assurance to dispensaries and consumers that the results on the certificate of analysis (CoA) issued by the laboratory are indicative of the products they buy. 

For manufactured cannabis products, such as vape cartridges or edibles, the State of New Jersey imposes production limits on each batch in addition to its sample size requirements. According to state law, manufactured cannabis products are restricted to production runs of 35,000 units per batch. That means, for the maximum batch size of manufactured cannabis products, laboratories must test 175 units. 

Other sampling requirements for NJ cannabis testing

It is not enough for a producer to simply submit 0.5% of a batch of cannabis flower and call it a representative sample, of course. State regulations are very clear about how labs must collect said samples, as well as how to store and track them during and after the process of testing. 

According to the regulations recently adopted by the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ CRC), cannabis analysis laboratories must collect anywhere from 5 to 100 increment samples of flower equal to 0.5% total of the batch size. For manufactured products, laboratories must collect anywhere from 2 to 125 increment units of manufactured product, depending on the batch size. In addition, the regulations call for retention samples that are two times the amounts collected for testing. 

For example, if a cultivator has a 100 pound batch of flower that needs testing, a testing laboratory employee will need to obtain an initial 100 incremental samples totaling 226.8 grams, or 0.5 pound. In addition, the testing laboratory employee must also obtain a retention sample that is 2 times that amount. In total, for the initial testing sample as well as for the retention sample, 1.5 pounds of flower is being collected. 

There are also regulations that cover how samples are stored and tracked. Samples must be stored in sterile, clean containers that are sealed after the sample has been collected. The container must be labeled. A receipt must be provided to the producer. Samples are then transported to the lab in a secure lockbox, and its receipt at the lab is recorded. 

What tests does New Jersey require for cannabis samples?

While different product types have different requirements, all cannabis products in New Jersey are required to be tested for potency, mycotoxins, and heavy metals.

While the final regulations are still in the works, the NJ CRC currently requires cannabis testing based on Maryland Medical Marijuana Commission’s testing standards, including phytocannabinoid profiling, water activity testing, and testing for certain contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides. The types of tests may change as New Jersey continues to develop regulations.

Some testing requirements have been announced. For example, New Jersey has already announced the ban on the additive Vitamin E Acetate into vape cartridges, which would require a test to prove compliance with that regulation. The state has also shared its plans for announced and unannounced inspections, which will have a testing component. 

Selecting representative samples and homogeneity testing

Collecting representative samples of cannabis can be difficult even for a seasoned expert. When following state regulations to the letter, samples are not guaranteed to be representative. This is because there are many environmental variables that impact cannabis as it grows. Plants located in different parts of the same room may be distinct in their compound profile. The result could be differing phytocannabinoid content and other quality checks, even within the same harvest. Ensuring that the testing sample taken is homogenized, or finely ground and mixed up prior to testing, is key to ensuring tests are truly representative.

Homogeneity testing, on the other hand, is primarily performed on solid manufactured cannabis products to ensure uniform distribution of phytocannabinoids and terpenes throughout the product. This is confirmed by performing redundant potency testing across multiple cannabis samples selected from multiple randomized positions in the broader lot. If redundant potency tests yield similar results, lab analysts can be confident that the samples are representative of the batch.

While state regulated sampling procedures and homogenizing a testing sample significantly increases the likelihood that testing results are representative of the batch, homogeneity testing on solid manufactured products confirms the consistency and even distribution of cannabinoids across the product. 

Cannabis testing regulations may change in New Jersey

As the adult-use cannabis market develops in New Jersey and the NJ CRC continues to review applications and issue licenses for cultivation, manufacturing, testing, and dispensary licenses, establishing a clear and dependable framework for independent testing laboratories is a high priority. However, anyone in the legal cannabis industry knows how quickly things can change, which is why it is important to partner with a cannabis analysis laboratory committed to going above and beyond the baseline requirements set by state regulators. 

At True Labs for Cannabis, we strive for Federal laboratory standards and adhere to all state standards, including ISO:IEC 17025. We strive to conduct all processes with an eye on testing requirements in other legal cannabis markets, as well as national industries such as the food and beverage space. When cultivators and manufacturers have access to a comprehensive slate of cannabis testing services, they can stay ahead of the curve should more stringent regulations be adopted as the industry matures. After all, in a new market, there is little more important than demonstrating the quality of your products, especially as cannabis prohibition comes to an end and consumers begin searching for brands they can trust.