Cannabis Concentrate Quality Testing Checklist [FREE PDF]

Cannabis concentrate testing laboratories are subject to rigorous state cannabis regulations and FDA cGMP guidelines that mandate standardized protocols for potency, residual solvents, microbial contaminants, and heavy metals. ASTM D8244 establishes performance-based quality and safety standards for cannabis testing that labs must follow to maintain licensure and protect public health. This checklist guides lab directors and QA managers through the critical inspection points required before rele

  • Industry: Cannabis Testing
  • Frequency: Per Event
  • Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes
  • Role: Lab Director
  • Total Items: 37
  • Compliance: ASTM D8244-19 Standard Practice for Cannabis Testing, FDA 21 CFR Part 111 cGMP for Dietary Supplements (applied by analogy to cannabis), DEA Controlled Substances Act 21 U.S.C. § 801 et seq., ISO/IEC 17025:2017 General Requirements for Testing Laboratories, State Cannabis Control Board Regulations - Laboratory Testing Standards

Sample Receipt & Chain of Custody

Verify proper sample intake, labeling, and chain of custody documentation before testing begins.

  • Is the sample accompanied by a completed chain-of-custody form with all required fields filled?
  • Does the sample label match the manifest information including batch ID, weight, and license number?
  • Has the sample been assigned a unique laboratory identifier (LIMS accession number)?
  • Is the sample stored in appropriate conditions (temperature/light) upon receipt?
  • Has the sample quantity been verified as sufficient for all required analyses?

Potency & Cannabinoid Profiling

Assess the completeness and accuracy of cannabinoid potency testing procedures.

  • Have all required cannabinoids (THC, THCA, CBD, CBDA, CBN) been included in the potency panel?
  • Were calibration standards run at the beginning and end of the analytical sequence?
  • Is the total THC result (THC + 0.877 × THCA) recorded and within state legal limits?
  • What is the measured total THC percentage for this batch?
  • Were QC controls (blank, spike, duplicate) run alongside samples and within acceptance criteria?
  • Is the certificate of analysis (CoA) draft generated with all potency results accurately transcribed from the LIMS?

Residual Solvent Testing

Confirm residual solvent analysis was conducted according to regulatory thresholds for consumer safety.

  • Was residual solvent testing performed using headspace GC-MS or GC-FID per approved methodology?
  • Do all Class 1 solvent results fall below the state-mandated action limits (e.g., benzene <1 ppm, butane <5,000 ppm)?
  • Do all Class 2 solvent results fall within acceptable limits per current state regulations?
  • Were internal standards used for solvent quantification and verified within ±20% recovery?
  • Is the residual solvent result documented and attached to the batch CoA?

Microbial Contaminant Testing

Evaluate microbial testing procedures and results to ensure consumer safety compliance.

  • Was the sample tested for total aerobic microbial count (TAMC) and total yeast and mold count (TYMC)?
  • Were specific pathogens (Salmonella spp., E. coli O157:H7, Aspergillus spp.) tested per state panel requirements?
  • Were all microbial results within state action limits (e.g., TAMC <10,000 CFU/g for concentrates)?
  • Were positive and negative controls included in each microbial analysis run?
  • Is there photographic documentation or plating records for this batch's microbial analysis?

Heavy Metals & Pesticide Testing

Verify heavy metals and pesticide panel testing was completed and results meet regulatory thresholds.

  • Were all four required heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury) tested via ICP-MS?
  • Do heavy metal results comply with state action limits (e.g., lead <0.5 ppm, arsenic <0.2 ppm for inhalable products)?
  • Was the full state-required pesticide panel tested using LC-MS/MS or GC-MS/MS?
  • Are all pesticide results below the state-defined action levels?
  • Were matrix-matched calibration standards used for both heavy metals and pesticide analysis?

Label Compliance & CoA Review

Confirm final CoA and product labeling meet all state regulatory requirements before batch release.

  • Does the final CoA include all required data elements: batch ID, testing dates, methods, results, and lab license number?
  • Has the CoA been reviewed and signed by an authorized lab director or qualifying scientist?
  • Does the product label accurately reflect the CoA potency results within state-permitted variance (typically ±10%)?
  • Does the packaging comply with ASTM D8244 child-resistant and tamper-evident requirements?
  • Have all failed analytes been flagged and the batch quarantined from distribution pending remediation review?
  • Is the CoA uploaded to the state track-and-trace system (e.g., Metrc) with the correct batch UID?

Lab Facility & Equipment Compliance

Review laboratory environment, equipment calibration, and safety compliance.

  • Are all analytical instruments (HPLC, GC, ICP-MS) within current calibration certification periods?
  • Is the laboratory ventilation and fume hood system functioning properly and last inspected within 12 months?
  • Are all laboratory personnel working with flammable solvents trained in OSHA Hazard Communication standards?
  • Is the controlled substance (concentrate samples) storage area secured, access-logged, and DEA-compliant?
  • Are reference standards and reagents within expiration dates and properly labeled with received and opened dates?

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Why Use This Cannabis Concentrate Quality Testing Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This cannabis concentrate quality testing checklist [free pdf] helps cannabis testing teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for lab director professionals, this checklist covers 37 critical inspection points across 7 sections. Recommended frequency: per event.

Ensures compliance with ASTM D8244-19 Standard Practice for Cannabis Testing, FDA 21 CFR Part 111 cGMP for Dietary Supplements (applied by analogy to cannabis), DEA Controlled Substances Act 21 U.S.C. § 801 et seq., ISO/IEC 17025:2017 General Requirements for Testing Laboratories, State Cannabis Control Board Regulations - Laboratory Testing Standards. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Cannabis Concentrate Quality Testing Checklist [FREE PDF] cover?

This checklist covers 37 inspection items across 7 sections: Sample Receipt & Chain of Custody, Potency & Cannabinoid Profiling, Residual Solvent Testing, Microbial Contaminant Testing, Heavy Metals & Pesticide Testing, Label Compliance & CoA Review, Lab Facility & Equipment Compliance. It is designed for cannabis testing operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed per event. Each completion takes approximately 45-60 minutes.

Who should use this Cannabis Concentrate Quality Testing Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This checklist is designed for Lab Director professionals in the cannabis testing industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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