Cal. Code Regs. tit. 4, § 15718 – Residual Solvents and Processing Chemicals Testing.

(a) The licensed laboratory shall analyze at minimum 0.25 grams of the representative sample of cannabis product or pre-rolls to determine whether residual solvents or processing chemicals are present.
(b) The licensed laboratory shall report the result of the residual solvents and processing chemicals testing in unit micrograms per gram (μg/g) on the COA and indicate “pass” or “fail” on the COA.
(c) The sample shall be deemed to have passed the residual solvents and processing chemicals testing if the presence of any residual solvent or processing chemical listed in the following tables in Category I and Category II does not exceed the indicated action levels.
1. (1) Notwithstanding subsection (c), the limit for ethanol does not apply to cannabis products that are tinctures.
2. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (c), the limit for ethanol or isopropyl alcohol does not apply to cannabis products that are topical cannabis products.
  Category I Residual Solvent or Processing Chemical
  CAS No.
  Cannabis Product or Pre-Roll Action Level (μg/g)
  1,2-Dichloroethane
  107-06-2
  1.0
  Benzene
  71-43-2
  1.0
  Chloroform
  67-66-3
  1.0
  Ethylene oxide
  75-21-8
  1.0
  Methylene chloride
  75-09-2
  1.0
  Trichloroethylene
  79-01-6
  1.0
  Category II Residual Solvent or Processing Chemical
  CAS No.
  Cannabis Product or Pre-roll Action Level (μg/g)
  Acetone
  67-64-1
  5000
  Acetonitrile
  75-05-8
  410
  Butane
  106-97-8
  5000
  Ethanol
  64-17-5
  5000
  Ethyl acetate
  141-78-6
  5000
  Ethyl ether
  60-29-7
  5000
  Heptane
  142-82-5
  5000
  Hexane
  110-54-3
  290
  Isopropyl alcohol
  67-63-0
  5000
  Methanol
  67-56-1
  3000
  Pentane
  109-66-0
  5000
  Propane
  74-98-6
  5000
  Toluene
  108-88-3
  890
  Total xylenes (ortho-, meta-, para-)
  1330-20-7
  2170
(d) If the sample fails residual solvents and processing chemicals testing, the batch from which the sample was collected fails residual solvents and processing chemicals testing and shall not be released for retail sale.

Note: Authority cited: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 26100, 26104 and 26110, Business and Professions Code.

History

1. Change without regulatory effect renumbering and amending former title 16, section 5718 to new title 4, section 15718 filed 7-14-2021 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2021, No. 29). For prior history of title 16, division 42, see Register 2019, No. 3.

2. Amendment of subsections (a)-(b) and (c)(1)-(2) filed 9-27-2021 as an emergency; operative 9-27-2021 (Register 2021, No. 40). This filing is a deemed emergency pursuant to Business and Professions Code sections 26013(b)(3) and 26153.1(k). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 3-28-2022 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

3. Amendment of subsections (a)-(b) and (c)(1)-(2) refiled 3-28-2022 as an emergency; operative 3-28-2022 (Register 2022, No. 13). This filing is a deemed emergency pursuant to Business and Professions Code sections 26013(b)(3) and 26153.1(k). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 9-26-2022 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

4. Certificate of Compliance as to 3-28-2022 order transmitted to OAL 9-26-2022 and filed 11-7-2022 (Register 2022, No. 45).