California is the largest legal cannabis market in the world, with annual sales expected to exceed $5.9 billion in 2023, as reported by MjBiz Daily. The market will need additional testing laboratories to meet the growing demand. As such, our California cannabis testing consultants created this post to help usher in the next generation of testing businesses.
Herein, you will find a complete summary of the California cannabis laboratory license application, including a list of the required documents you must submit and fees.
Table of Contents:
Requirements for California Cannabis Testing Laboratories
If you would like to test cannabis in California, you must apply for and receive a license. However, there are several requirements you must meet to obtain a California cannabis laboratory license.
For instance, your California cannabis testing lab must maintain ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for the testing of the following:
Cannabinoids;
Heavy metals;
Microbial impurities;
Mycotoxins;
Residual pesticides;
Residual solvents and processing chemicals; and
If tested, terpenoids.
However, you may apply for an interim license prior to receiving ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation provided that your California cannabis testing laboratory meets all other licensure requirements, as discussed further below.
License Application Overview
The application for a California cannabis laboratory license must be completed online, and requires you to submit:
information about your business,
technical narratives describing your plans and procedures,
schematics of your facility and security devices,
proof of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, and
pay application/license fees.
As eluded to earlier, you can apply for an interim license before obtaining ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. The interim license is valid for 12-months. This is helpful for new testing laboratories in California because it reduces your upfront risk.
Required Documentation for your California Cannabis Laboratory License Application
In either case, as part of your application for a California cannabis laboratory license you must submit a valid certificate of accreditation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and method validation reports for the following testing methods:
Cannabinoids;
Heavy metals;
Microbial impurities;
Mycotoxins;
Residual pesticides;
Residual solvents and processing chemicals; and
If tested, terpenoids.
You must submit also SOPs for the sampling of cannabis or cannabis products. It is essential that all of your narratives comply with the requirements of the laws and regulations.
Work with our cannabis testing consultants to apply for and obtain a license. Let us focus on your California cannabis laboratory license application, while you focus on the things you enjoy. We can manage your entire application for you and guide you each step of the way, from facility design to recruitment to SOP development. We've helped dozens of businesses start cannabis testing labs across the U.S.
Fees
Below, our California cannabis testing laboratory consultants summarize the two types of fees you must pay:
Non-refundable application fee: $1,000
Annual License Fee: $3,000 - $112,000 (see table below).
The annual license fee for a California cannabis testing lab is based on your annual revenue, as shown in the table below:
Gross Revenue ($ Max. Per License) | Fee Per License |
Less than or equal to $160,000 | $3,000 |
More than $160,000 and less or equal to $320,000 | $6,000 |
More than $320,000 and less or equal to $480,000 | $8,000 |
More than $480,000 and less or equal to $800,000 | $13,000 |
More than $800,000 and less or equal to $1.2 million | $20,000 |
More than $1.2 million and less or equal to $2.0 million | $32,000 |
More than $2.0 million and less or equal to $2.8 million | $48,000 |
More than $2.8 million and less or equal to $4.4 million | $72,000 |
More than $4.4 million | $112,000 |
Useful Resources related to California Cannabis Laboratory Licenses
Now that you're familiar with the California cannabis laboratory license application process, below are some resources to help you along the way.
For starters, here are a collection of useful links:
The website of Department of Cannabis Control, the governing agency in that will regulate the oversee the licensing of California cannabis businesses, including laboratories;
Information on California Cannabis Testing Laboratories from the Department.
Conclusions from our California Cannabis Testing Consultants
In this article, we've delved into the intricacies of acquiring a California cannabis laboratory license, shedding light on the essential requirements, application procedures, and associated fees. Our team of cannabis testing laboratory consultants are here to support you every step of the way, ensuring your California cannabis testing business complies with regulations and operates at the highest standards. Together, let's contribute to the success of California's cannabis testing landscape.