In a recent government meeting, officials discussed critical updates regarding cannabis testing and traceability systems in Washington State. The meeting highlighted the importance of lab accreditation and standards, emphasizing the need for a robust traceability system to address issues such as product recalls and compliance with federal regulations.

Captain Matt Murphy, the Eastern Washington cannabis captain, outlined the three primary pathways for cannabis testing in the state: compliance consultants, officer sampling, and licensee sampling. He detailed the process of how samples are collected, transported, and tested at the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) laboratory, with results analyzed by LCB chemists to ensure compliance with quality standards.

A significant concern raised during the meeting was the contamination of cannabis products in Okanagan County, linked to detectable levels of DDE, a remnant of the banned pesticide DDT. In April 2023, the LCB notified 18 licensed cannabis locations about the contamination and placed five on administrative hold. These locations voluntarily initiated recalls, and subsequent testing confirmed the presence of DDE above action levels in many samples.

From January to December 2023, 122 cannabis samples were tested, revealing that 90 had detectable levels of DDE, with 58 exceeding the action threshold. The meeting also reported on the enforcement actions taken, including administrative violation notices related to traceability issues.

The discussions underscored the ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and health through stringent testing and traceability measures in the cannabis industry, with a focus on stakeholder feedback to refine the new traceability system.