Arizona Council Submits New Marijuana Testing Guidelines to ADHS for 2020

Mandatory testing of medical marijuana in Arizona starts November 2020. This week, a state-appointed council submitted its recommendations for testing requirements to the Arizona Department of Health Services. According to the council, traces of some contaminants like residual solvents, microbial growth, heavy metals and even some pesticides on medical marijuana will be permitted to be sold at dispensaries.

The ADHS will release the council’s report to the general public in the coming days, Phoenix New Times reported. The ADHS has moderated the meetings held by the council.

The council has suggested that Arizona follow Oregon’s strict marijuana testing regulations regarding pesticides. Oregon has an extensive list of banned pesticides.

18 residual and toxic substances should be banned from marijuana sold in Arizona, per the council’s recommendation. Furthermore, they recommended that marijuana should be tested for certain heavy metals, such as arsenic, lead and mercury; however, marijuana could still be sold by dispensaries if it contains tiny amounts of these heavy metals.

“The council took its job very seriously and recommended high science that will be good for medical patients in Arizona,” said George Griffeth of the Arizona Cannabis Laboratory Association.

A public comment period will be held in 2020. The ADHS will then write the state’s final medical marijuana testing rules and will use the council’s recommendations when doing so. The governor and other legislative leaders will also provide their input.

All Arizona dispensaries will be required to test medical marijuana beginning on Nov 1, 2020.