MaineMarijuana.us Reference Resource
Mandatory Testing Requirements
All cannabis products sold in Maine adult-use retail stores must undergo mandatory testing by a certified testing facility. Retailers must verify compliant test results before offering products for sale.
MRS Title 28-B, §602; OCP Rule Chapters 1, 3, and 5
Mandatory testing categories
Potency analysis
- Cannabinoid profile
- THC and CBD percentages
- Total THC calculations
- Confirmation of edible dose limits
Residual solvents
- Butane, propane, ethanol
- Other chemical solvents
- Required for concentrates
- Parts per million (ppm) limits
Pesticides
- All OCP-regulated pesticides
- Residual agricultural chemicals
- Fungicides and insecticides
- EPA prohibited substances
Microbiological screening
- E. coli
- Salmonella
- Total yeast and mold
- TNTC (Too Numerous To Count) standards
Water activity & moisture
- Water activity (Aw) values
- Moisture content percentages
- Required for flower and trim
- Mold prevention verification
Heavy metals
- Arsenic, cadmium
- Lead, mercury
- Parts per billion (ppb) standards
- Product-specific thresholds
Testing verification requirements
- Verify testing documentation. Each batch or lot must have corresponding test results from an OCP-certified testing facility.
- Confirm COAs match products. Certificate of Analysis details must align with product batch numbers and descriptions.
- Check laboratory certification. Testing must be performed by a laboratory certified by Maine's OCP.
- Verify pass status. All required tests must show “Passed” results within acceptable limits.
- Review potency variance. Confirm THC potency is within 15% of the labeled value.
- Maintain records. Retain testing documentation for inspection for at least two years.
Products that fail mandatory testing cannot be sold to consumers. If test results are missing, incomplete, or show failed tests, quarantine the products until compliant results are obtained.
Testing status can be verified using the OCP portal and batch tracking system.
| Product category | Required tests | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flower / trim | Potency, pesticides, microbiological, water activity, heavy metals | Full panel required before sale |
| Concentrates | Potency, residual solvents, pesticides, microbiological, heavy metals | Solvent tests required for all extraction methods except water/heat |
| Edibles / tinctures | Potency, pesticides, microbiological, heavy metals | Potency variance must be within 15% of the label |
| Topicals | Potency, pesticides, microbiological, heavy metals | External-use products follow distinct standards |
Keep this reference guide in staff areas for training and compliance verification.