State-by-State Cannabis and Hemp Testing Requirements
Cannabis and hemp remain regulated primarily at the state level, and requirements for cultivation, manufacturing, and testing differ significantly from one state to the next. As of 2026, recreational cannabis is legal in 24 states plus the District of Columbia, and roughly 40 states allow medical cannabis in some form; a small handful of states permit only low-THC or CBD products or prohibit cannabis outright. Each of these states sets its own rules for testing, licensing, and permissible product categories. 
How PJRFSI Handles State Variation
Rather than certifying only against a single national baseline, PJRFSI’s Cannabis and Hemp Safety Standards for Cultivation and Manufacturing incorporate applicable state-specific requirements directly into the audit. This means a grower or manufacturer working toward certification is evaluated against both our GACP or GMP standard and the specific regulations of the state or states where the operation is licensed.
This approach matters because state requirements can differ on questions such as which contaminants must be tested, what sampling protocols apply, which cannabinoids are subject to compliance limits, and what licensing a testing laboratory must hold. A cultivation or manufacturing operation that treats state rules as an afterthought risks a compliance gap that a generic, one-size-fits-all audit would miss.
What This Means for Multi-State Operators
For businesses operating in more than one state, PJRFSI can structure certification to reflect the requirements of each jurisdiction where you grow or manufacture, giving you a consistent internal quality system while still meeting each state’s specific expectations.
Have questions about how your state’s requirements apply to your operation? Contact PJRFSI to discuss your specific cultivation or manufacturing footprint.
PJRFSI Cannabis and Hemp Safety Certification: system-level GACP and GMP certification backed by decades of food safety auditing experience.
Ready to get started?
- Contact PJRFSI today to discuss certification for your operation.
- Phone: 1-877-663-1160
- Web: www.pjrfsi.com
- Address: 755 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 1325, Troy, Michigan 48084