California DCC 2026 - cannabis heavy-metals action levels

Scope

Section 15723 applies to representative samples of cannabis and cannabis products tested by licensed laboratories in California. The table splits action levels between inhalable cannabis/cannabis products and non-inhalable cannabis/cannabis products.

Exact limit and units

The structured register stores ug/g values as equivalent ug/kg by multiplying by 1000.

How tested

The licensed laboratory must analyze at minimum 0.5 grams of representative sample and report heavy-metal results in ug/g on the certificate of analysis with pass/fail status. The excerpt does not name a specific metal method.

Enforcement posture

A sample passes if heavy metals do not exceed the action levels. If the sample fails heavy-metals testing, the batch fails and may not be released for retail sale.

History of changes

The local PDF is the Department of Cannabis Control regulation set revised January 1, 2026.

How it compares

The California cannabis action levels are product-specific and split by inhalable versus non-inhalable exposure routes. Arsenic and mercury are not speciated beyond the element names in the table, so HMI records them as total arsenic and total mercury.

Sources

• California Department of Cannabis Control Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulations, revised January 1, 2026: heavy metals testing

Update history

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