The mission of the National Cannabis Laboratory Council (NCLC) is to share critical data and to promote science-based national lab testing standards for cannabis products in order to facilitate interstate commerce and protect public health and consumer safety.

Our volunteer coalition was formed in 2021 by numerous cannabis lab scientists and scientific- and medical-focused ancillary operators from around the country in collaboration with the law firm of Perkins Coie. As of November 2023, the S3 Collective will serve as NCLC’s forum.

Our Core Mandate and Objectives

  • Advocating for national cannabis testing standards
  • Fostering a culture of collaboration through data sharing projects without violating antitrust principles
  • Disseminating findings from these projects to educate and guide
  • Championing the adoption of uniform testing standards and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

Our Members

  • State-licensed cannabis labs
  • State-licensed non-cannabis labs
  • Ancillary and non-plant touching businesses with scientific or medical-based missions

Our Task Groups

  • Data Collection Task Group: Tasked with compiling analytical cannabis laboratory data on cannabinoids, terpenoids, and contaminants in commercially available products nationwide.
  • Publication Task Group: Focused on seeking publication opportunities and media PR for future white paper updates and the publishing the findings of the data collection project.

Standardizing Cannabis Lab Testing Nationally - Our White Paper

As the nation moves closer to federal legalization of cannabis, standardized testing procedures across states becomes critical for public health, safety, and fluid interstate commerce. Through this white paper, our coalition suggests a unified, data-driven testing approach, transitioning from varied state-based to harmonized programs. We recommend a uniform testing scheme, including specified compounds for analysis by product type, sampling and testing methods from standard development organizations, and setting consistent requirements for lab accreditation and proficiency testing.

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