Laboratory Transportation of Cannabis and Cannabis Products Samples
The transportation of cannabis and cannabis product samples in California is a critical aspect of laboratory testing and quality control in the cannabis industry. In compliance with state regulations, licensed laboratories are responsible for safely transporting samples from cultivators, manufacturers, and distributors to their testing facilities. Strict protocols and procedures are followed to ensure the integrity and security of the samples throughout the transportation process. These protocols typically include using tamper-evident packaging, maintaining proper temperature conditions, and employing tracking systems to monitor the samples' whereabouts. Additionally, transport vehicles must adhere to specific requirements, such as being equipped with GPS tracking and secure storage compartments. These measures aim to safeguard the samples, prevent contamination, and maintain accurate test results, ultimately contributing to the overall safety and reliability of cannabis products available to consumers in California.
Department of Cannabis Control Medicinal and Adult-Use Commercial Cannabis Regulations (July 2024)
§15709. Laboratory Transportation of Cannabis and Cannabis Products Samples.
(a) The following requirements apply when a licensed testing laboratory transports cannabis or cannabis products samples:
(1) While transporting cannabis or cannabis products samples, a licensed testing laboratory employee shall ensure the cannabis or cannabis products are not visible to the public. Cannabis or cannabis products shall be stored in a secure, fully enclosed trunk that cannot be accessed from inside the vehicle, or in a secured area or compartment within the interior of the vehicle. A “secured area” is defined as an area where solid or locking metal partitions, cages, or high-strength shatterproof acrylic can be used to create a secure compartment in the fully enclosed vehicle. The secured area may be comprised on three sides by any part of the body of the vehicle, provided the parts of the vehicle used for the purposes of this section are shatterproof and are not made of glass.
(2) While left unattended, vehicles and trailers shall be locked and secured.
(3) The licensed laboratory shall not leave a vehicle or trailer containing cannabis or cannabis products samples unattended in a residential area or parked overnight in a residential area.
(4) The licensed laboratory shall ensure that any vehicle or trailer transporting cannabis or cannabis products samples has an alarm system.
(5) The licensed laboratory shall ensure that packages or containers holding cannabis or cannabis products samples are neither tampered with nor opened during transport.
(6) The licensed laboratory transporting cannabis or cannabis products samples shall only travel between licensees for whom the laboratory is conducting regulatory compliance testing or quality assurance testing. A laboratory shall not deviate from the travel requirements described in this section, except for necessary rest, fuel, or vehicle repair stops.
(7) The licensed laboratory may transport multiple cannabis or cannabis products samples obtained from multiple licensees at once.
(8) Vehicles or trailers transporting cannabis or cannabis products samples are subject to inspection by the Department at any licensed premises or during transport at any time.
(9) No person under the age of 21 years old shall be in a vehicle or trailer transporting cannabis or cannabis products samples.
(10) Only an employee of the licensed laboratory or security personnel who meets the requirement of section 15045 shall be in a vehicle while transporting cannabis or cannabis products samples.
(b) Upon request, the licensed laboratory shall provide the following required transport vehicle information to the Department:
(1) The certificate of ownership or registration card issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles for each vehicle used to transport cannabis or cannabis products samples;
(2) The year, make, model, license plate number, and numerical Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for each vehicle or trailer used to transport cannabis or cannabis products samples; and
(3) Proof of insurance for each vehicle used to transport cannabis or cannabis products samples.
(c) All vehicles and trailers used for transportation shall be owned or leased, in accordance with the Vehicle Code, by the licensee. The licensee is not required to be the sole owner or lessor of the vehicle or trailer and all owners and lessors may use the vehicle for non-commercial cannabis activity. Authority: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 26100, 26102, 26104 and 26110, Business and Professions Code.
