Notification of Rulemaking Activity
The Washington State Dept. of Agriculture (WSDA) has initiated rulemaking to amend the rules that regulate cannabis laboratories, chapters 16-309 and 16-310 WAC, by filing CR-101s with the Office of the Code Reviser on May 19, 2026.
Documents Related to Rulemaking
Click on the link below to view the CR-101. Additional information will be provided as we progress through the rule making process.
CR-101 - Chapter 16-309 WAC
CR-101 - Chapter 16-310 WAC
Overview of Rulemaking
Chapter 16-309 WAC, Cannabis Laboratory Accreditation Standards Program
During the 2022 Legislative Session, HB 1859 directed the Department to adopt rules that establish and maintain quality standards for laboratories conducting analysis of recreational and medicinal cannabis.
In 2024, the Department finalized and adopted these standards in rule. The standards are the elements used in the evaluation of a product's compliance with established product standards. These rules consist of method approval, method validation protocols, and performance measures and criteria applied to the testing of the product. Now, a year and a half into program establishment, the Department seeks to improve and clarify these rules to provide administrative ease, and an opportunity for public engagement.
The Department is considering:
•Expanding and clarifying definitions;
•Simplifying verbiage; and
•Providing laboratories with the opportunity to provide feedback on areas of rule that may require further refinement.
Chapter 16-310 WAC, Accreditation of Cannabis Laboratories
During the 2024 legislative session, the Legislature passed 2SHB 2151, which transferred laboratory accreditation from the Department of Ecology to the Department of Agriculture.
In 2024, the Department adopted this rule that established a state program for the accreditation of cannabis laboratories in accordance with chapter 16-309 WAC with audits starting in 2025. The purpose of this chapter to ensure the laboratory standards described in chapter 16-309 WAC are followed when testing cannabis and cannabis products under chapter 314-55 WAC.
A year and a half into program establishment, five laboratories have been accredited by the Department to conduct quality assurance testing for Washington State’s cannabis industry.
Now, the Department seeks to improve and clarify rules to provide administrative ease and clarity for laboratories.
The Department is considering:
•Clarifying proficiency testing requirements;
•Enforcement, inspections, and suspensions;
•Improve and expand definitions;
•Removing temporary requirements;
•Providing more information on enforcement, inspections, and health and safety related issues; and
•Other requirements as necessary.
Participate in the Rulemaking Process
Stakeholder feedback is a vital component in the rule making process.
Please contact Trecia Ehrlich to discuss how you can participate in the development of the rule and formulation of the proposed rule language before publication.
By mail:
Trecia Ehrlich, Cannabis Program Manager
Agricultural Environmental Services Division
Washington State Dept. of Agriculture
PO Box 42560
Olympia, WA 98504-2560
By phone: (360) 584-3711
By email: tehrlich@agr.wa.gov
For more information regarding WSDA’s rule making activities, please contact:
Gloriann Robinson, WSDA Agency Rules Coordinator
wsdarulescomments@agr.wa.gov
PO Box 42560,
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 902-1802
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