Public Comment Open for Updated Cannabis Pesticide Testing Regulations in California

In a June 13, 2025, announcement, the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) proposed updates to the state’s cannabis testing regulations (1). The main changes would be to the action levels for the testing of pesticide residue in products and the pesticides required for testing. Public comments on the proposed rules are being accepted through July 28 by writing to DCC Legal Affairs Division at 2920 Kilgore Road in Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 or by email at publiccomment@cannabis.ca.gov (2). Industry stakeholders and interested individuals are encouraged to comment. The rulemaking documents provided by DCC also include a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Proposed Text of Regulations, Initial Statement of Reasons, and the Department of Pesticide Regulation Memo. As noted in the announcement, the DCC is responsible for licensing and regulating commercial cannabis in the state.

The updates are based on recent recommendations from the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). The December 2024 memo states, in part (3): “DPR recommends the addition of 14 pesticides for testing, and the revision of action levels for 31 pesticides currently recommended for testing. Recommendations for updated action levels are based on the review and assessment of new in vivo and in vitro toxicity data and pesticide residue analytical data as well as changes in risk assessment methodologies from regulatory agencies including the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA).” The goal, it explained, would be to move away from the two-category system of testing and instead establish a health-based action levels for pesticides. Some of the pesticides mentioned had been detected on cannabis products in the state’s marketplace, and DPR had also detected other pesticides used in cultivation that were not registered for use in the United States.

“These proposed regulations reflect health-based action levels recommended by the state’s leading pesticide experts,” stated Department of Cannabis Control Director Nicole Elliott in the DCC announcement. “But smart regulation requires not just sound science—it demands public engagement. These proposals are an important step toward a more transparent and safe cannabis market, and public input is essential to ensure the final standards are both protective and practical.”

Additionally, a public hearing will take place on July 29 at 10:00am and continue until all the testimony is submitted, or until 12:00pm, depending on whichever one is later. The link to participate in the hearing will be made available at 9:00am on the day prior to the hearing.

Other updates to the California cannabis industry have been happening in the state as well. Earlier this month, the California Assembly voted unanimously to prevent a bill, titled AB564, from implementing a 25% tax hike on the legal cannabis industry in the state (4). AB564 went to the Senate for further considerations.

References

1. Department of Cannabis Control. Department of Cannabis Control submits proposed pesticide testing requirements for public input https://cannabis.ca.gov/2025/06/department-of-cannabis-control-submits-proposed-pesticide-testing-requirements-for-public-input/ (accessed Jun 16, 2025).
2. Department of Cannabis Control. DCC-2025-03-R: Pesticide Updates https://cannabis.ca.gov/cannabis-laws/rulemaking/dcc-2025-03-r-pesticide-updates/ (accessed Jun 16, 2025).
3. Department of Pesticide Regulation. Memorandum. https://cannabis.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/dpr-memorandum-on-revised-action-levels-12-18-2024.pdf (accessed Jun 16, 2025).
4. Colli, M. California Votes to Prevent 25% Cannabis Tax Hike https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/california-votes-to-prevent-25-cannabis-tax-hike (accessed Jun 16, 2025).