CLEAN CALIFORNIA CANNABIS
Resources for California Cannabis Testing Compliance
Expanded Panel / Pesticide + / CAT4
We believe that being proactive and staying informed is key to navigating changes successfully, which is why we want to share some insights on what changing compliance trends means for your farm and the steps you can take to stay ahead.
QUICK NAV:
What can you do as a farmer?
1. Stay Informed on Compliance Standards
California’s current testing regulations include 66 pesticides, while other states like Colorado test for up to 127 additional chemicals. The expanded panel covers a wider array of potential contaminants that can impact your product’s compliance status.
2. Proactively Test for the Expanded Panel
Many California labs are now offering the expanded testing panel, and the market is increasingly asking for products that meet these stricter standards. Testing for these additional 127 pesticides could position your farm as a leader in safety and compliance, and may help differentiate your products in the market.
Where to Find Resources
Understanding what chemicals are currently permissible and which may be under scrutiny is
critical. Below are some helpful resources to keep you up-to-date:
We recommend bookmarking these resources and regularly reviewing updates to ensure your practices remain aligned with the evolving regulatory landscape. We are happy to connect you with compliance specialists and labs that can provide guidance on the expanded testing panel.
Why Is There Another List You May Not Know About?
It’s crucial to note that some pesticides remain illegal for use on cannabis, despite not appearing on the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC)’s current testing list. One example is Pymetrozine, a substance found in popular agricultural products like ENDEAVOR, FULFILL, DEVENIR, and TEMPO. Ensuring your farm does not inadvertently use these chemicals will safeguard your product’s compliance.
Next Steps & How We Can Better Work Together
We are committed to supporting your success and helping you navigate changes effectively. Here’s what we recommend:
Review Your Current Farming Inputs
Ensure you’re not using any of the 127 pesticides listed below, or other substances that could impact compliance in the future.Reach Out for a Compliance Review
If you feel your farm already meets the expanded testing standards or would like to learn more about how to achieve compliance, please reach out. We are happy to arrange a review or facilitate additional testing resources.Leverage Our Expertise
We are actively monitoring any updates from the DCC and will continue to share information as soon as it becomes available. Our goal is to make this transition as seamless as possible for our partners.
CAT 4
PREPARING FOR FUTURE REGULATIONS AND CURRENT DEMANDS
Also known as the "Expanded Panel" or "Pesticide Screen Plus," CAT4 introduces 127 additional pesticides, previously screened in other states, into California's cannabis testing ecosystem.
The CAT4 movement aims to elevate California’s cannabis standards beyond current state regulations, prioritizing product safety to ensure better protection for the health and wellness of our community.
Common CAT4 Questions :
Q. What is CAT4?
A. Also known as the "Expanded Panel" or "Pesticide Screen Plus," CAT4 introduces 127 additional pesticides, previously screened in other states, into California's cannabis testing ecosystem.
Q. Why Now?
A. CAT4 was initiated following the June 14, 2024, LA Times article, "The Dirty Secret of California’s Legal Weed." Investigators tested products from California dispensaries using the standard Category 3 pesticide panel, along with this expanded panel. This article sparked a movement within the California cannabis market, pushing for higher-quality, truly organic products on the shelves—well ahead of any regulatory mandate by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC).
Q. What Are the Limits of Detection?
A. Since the newly introduced panel is not part of California's current cannabis regulations, there is no official limit of detection (LOD). Certificates of Analysis (COAs) will only display parts per million (ppm), without identifying a pass or fail status. This means it is up to individual brands to decide what level of detection is acceptable based on their finished goods formulation.
Q. Will the CAT4 screening be present on an Exit Compliance Testing?
A. Currently, CAT4 is not part of exit compliance testing in California. The CAT4 panel is available only on Research & Development COAs.
If you have any questions, feel free to use our contact form and we will get back to you asap.
OUR CAT 4 APPROACH
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At the procurement level, we are engaging in proactive conversations with farms regarding their pest management practices and highlighting the immediate need for truly organic farming. This outreach is also part of preparing for future regulations.
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LEEF has always maintained a rigorous procurement and sampling protocol. We have now expanded our testing of microextractions to include preliminary results for CAT4.
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LEEF has made modifications to its extraction protocols and is now conducting single-source extractions. This means the biomass used per batch will be sourced from a single origin. In addition, LEEF remains committed to ongoing research and development to advance cannabis extraction and manufacturing for the betterment of the industry and consumers.
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LEEF has expanded testing at the bulk oil stage to include a comprehensive COA covering CAT4 pesticides, alongside the standard CAT 1, 2, 3, and potency tests.
CAT 4 / EXPANDED PANEL
Acetochlor
Alachlor
Aldicarb Sulfone
Aldicarb sulfoxide
Aldrin
Atrazine
Benfluralin
BHC alpha
BHC beta
Bitertanol
Buprofezin
Carbendazim (MBC)
Carfentrazone ethyl
Chlorobenzilate
Chlorotoluron
Chlorpropham
Chlorpyrifos methyl
Chlorthiophos
Clethodim
Clomazone
Clothianidin
Cyazofamid
Cymoxanil
Cyprodinil
Cyromazine
DCPA (Dacthal)
Diallate
Dieldrin
Diflubenzuron
Dimethachlor
Diniconazole
Dinotefuran
Diphenamid
Diphenylamine (DPA)
Diuron
Esfenvalerate
Ethalfluralin
Ethylan
Etridiazole
Fenarimol
Fenbuconazole
Fenpropimorph
Fenthion
Fenvalerate
Fluazifop-P-butyl
Flubendiamide
Fluchloralin
Flucythrinate
Fluoxastrobin
Flusilazole
Flutolanil
Flutriafol
Fonofos
Formetanate Hydrochloride
Heptachlor
Hexachlorobenzene
Hexaconazole
Hexazinone
3-Hydroxycarbofuran
Indoxacarb
Isazophos
Isopropalin
Isoproturon
Lindane
Linuron
Mandipropamid
Methamidophos
Methoxychlor
4-4'-Methoxychlor olefin
Methoxyfenozide
Metolachlor
MGK 264
Mirex
Novaluron
Thiabendazole
Omethoate
Oxadiazon
Oxyfluorfen
Parathion
Pebulate
Penconazole
Pendimethalin
Pentachloroaniline
Pentachloroanisole
Pentachlorobenzene
Pentachlorobenzonitrile
2-Phenylphenol
Pirimicarb
Pirimiphos-ethyl
Pirimiphos methyl
Pretilachlor
Prochloraz
Procymidone
Propamocarb
Propargite
Propisochlor
Propyzamide
Prothiofos
Pymetrozine
Pyraclostrobin
Pyrimethanil
Pyriproxyfen
Quinalphos
Quintozene
Sulfentrazone
Sulfotep
Tau-Fluvalinate
Tebufenozide
Tecnazene
Tefluthrin
Terbutylazine
Tetrachloroaniline
Tetradifon
Thiobencarb
Tolclofos-methyl
Transfluthrin
Triadimefon
Triallate
Trichlorfon
Tricyclazole
Triflumizole
Trifluralin
Vapamothion
Vinclozolin