WAC 173-55: Accreditation of Cannabis Laboratories

Ecology withdrew the CR-101 for this rulemaking on April 4, 2024, filed as WSR# 24-09-005.

Starting July 1, 2024, the Washington Department of Agriculture has the regulatory authority to accredit cannabis laboratories. 

The statutory authority for managing the accreditation of private cannabis laboratories was originally transferred to Ecology in 2019 under RCW 43.21A.736 and RCW 69.50.348. 

Ecology led the Cannabis Science Task Force from 2019-2022 with representation from Washington State Department of Agriculture, Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board, and the Washington Department of Health. The Task Force also included representatives from cannabis laboratories. This group investigated quality standards for cannabis testing and submitted two Cannabis Science Task Force Recommendation reports to the Legislature:

These reports recommended laboratory quality standard and proficiency testing improvements and encouraged the creation of an interagency cooperative team to guide the creation of a new accreditation program.

In 2024, House Bill 2151 reassigned accreditation authority from Ecology to the Washington State Department of Agriculture, resulting in the withdrawal of our initial rulemaking announcement.

Rulemaking timeline

Timeline

Announcement phase (CR-101)

Filing date:
June 21, 2023


Announcement documents

Rule development phase

June 21, 2023 – January or February 2024

Public input & involvement

Public workshops

Sign up for one of our cannabis laboratory accreditation rulemaking workshops:

  • Aug. 2, 2023, 9 – 11 a.m.
  • Aug. 10, 2023, 2 – 4 p.m.
  • Nov. 29, 2023, 10 – 11 a.m.
  • Dec. 7, 2023, 2 – 3 p.m.

Review the presentation slides from November – December 2023 workshops.

Informal public comment periods

  • Comment from July 25, 2023, to Aug. 25, 2023
  • Comment from Nov. 15, 2023, to Dec. 14, 2023

Rule development documents

Additional languages

Español (Spanish) 中文 (Chinese) Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) 한국어 (Korean)

Accessibility

To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, or printed materials in a format for the visually impaired, contact Ecology's ADA Coordinator by email at ecyadacoordinator@ecy.wa.gov, or call 360-407-6831. People with impaired hearing may call Washington Relay Service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at 877-833-6341.