NIST Cannabis Laboratory Quality Assurance Program (CannaQAP)

NIST Cannabis Laboratory Quality Assurance Program (CannaQAP) is sponsored by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

NIST Tools for Cannabis Laboratory Quality Assurance | NIST https://www. nist. gov/programs-projects/nist-tools-cannabis-laboratory-quality-assurance NIST Tools for Cannabis Laboratory Quality Assurance NIST has developed an integrated measurement services program for forensic and cannabis testing laboratories to help ensure the quality of routine analysis throughout the cannabis industry, as illustrated below .

NIST is uniquely positioned to support commerce in the cannabis community through the improvement of analytical measurement comparability. The tools developed by this program will support measurements establishing legal, commerce, and safety claims through the development of fit-for-purpose analytical methodologies, production of Reference Materials (RMs), and implementation of a Cannabis Laboratory Quality Assurance Program (CannaQAP).

If you have additional questions, please contact cannabis [at] nist. gov (cannabis[at]nist[dot]gov) . Levels of constituents in cannabis provide a basis for regulation, litigation, and commerce.

Since the 1970s, cannabis (marijuana and hemp) and its constituent, Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, have been classified as Schedule I controlled substances. Seized evidence is tested by forensic laboratories, which verify the identity of the plant through macro- and microscopic evaluation and the presence of THC through presumptive and confirmatory chemical testing.

Drug scheduling has directed the testing approaches, as qualitative confirmation of the presence of THC was sufficient to demonstrate possession of a controlled substance. Currently, marijuana and THC remain on the controlled substances list, although medical marijuana is legal in 39 states and recreational marijuana is legal in 22 states as well as the District of Columbia.

The 2018 Farm Bill defined hemp as cannabis containing less than 0. 3 % THC and removed hemp from the controlled substances list. These legal changes have required forensic laboratories throughout the United States the need to implement quantitative analytical methods to distinguish cannabis seizures as marijuana or hemp.

However, many of these laboratories have little to no experience in, nor are accredited to perform, quantitative drug analysis.

NIST has developed an integrated measurement services program for cannabis to ensure the quality of routine analysis in forensic laboratories to confidently distinguish between hemp and marijuana in seized cannabis samples with a three-pronged approach: (1) robust analytical methods for a range of techniques (GC-MS, LC-UV, LC-MS/MS, NIR) on a variety instrumental platforms*; (2) cannabis Standard Reference Materials (SRM), Reference Materials (RMs), and Research Grade and Test Materials (RGTMs); and (3) Cannabis Laboratory Quality Assurance Program (CannaQAP).

For additional technical information, please contact us at cannabis [at] nist. gov ( cannabis[at]nist[dot]gov ) . ----------------------------- *Any mention of commercial products within NIST web pages is for information only; it does not imply recommendation or endorsement by NIST.

Cannabis Laboratory Quality Assurance Program (CannaQAP) CannaQAP was developed to help cannabis testing laboratories demonstrate and improve measurement comparability and/or competence. A QAP is a perpetual interlaboratory study mechanism akin to a proficiency testing (PT) scheme but without the pass/fail grade. All results from QAP studies are peer-reviewed and made publicly available as published NIST Internal Reports (IRs).

However, the identities of individual laboratories are anonymized and known only to them and NIST. Examples of laboratories that may benefit from participation in CannaQAP include: Forensic laboratories are developing analytical methods to distinguish hemp from marijuana through quantitative measurements or screening thresholds.

Laboratories testing cannabis products for quality control (safety and ingredient labeling) Regulators performing inspections or market surveys to evaluate product compliance. Researchers conducting clinical trials on the efficacy of cannabinoids.

Studies offered through CannaQAP may include the determination of cannabinoids (including total CBD and total THC), moisture, and toxic elements in cannabis plant materials and/or other cannabis-containing materials. Participants may elect to receive samples for some or all studies, as applicable to the work done in their laboratories (e.g., cannabinoids and moisture, but not toxic elements).

Laboratories may also elect to report only selected analytes (e.g., only reporting total THC, but not all cannabinoids). Participants are asked to report results using measurement procedures and calculations normally performed in their laboratories. In addition, participants are asked to identify the type of sample preparation and analytical methods employed in their testing to facilitate conclusions about potential method biases.

Exercise 2 Cannabinoids Final Report Exercise 2 Toxic Elements Final Report Exercise 2 Moisture Final Report Cannabis Plant and Oil Materials Exercise 3 Moisture Final Report Exercise 3Toxic Element and Cannabinoid Final Reports in preparation. CannaQAP will not be offering any additional exercises.

Cannabis Reference Materials (RMs) Natural-matrix RMs are intended for use as laboratory quality control materials, in the validation of established methods, and in the development of new analytical methods. RMs are a critical measurement service that is presently lacking in the cannabis community. RMs play an important role in promoting compliance with current and future legislation, labeling accuracy, and good manufacturing processes.

The development of RMs at NIST has initially focused on RM 8210: Hemp Plant (pictured below). This material was prepared, packaged, and analyzed at NIST for the determination of 7 cannabinoids, total CBD, total Δ 9 -THC, moisture, and 13 toxic elements as summarized in a recent publication . For additional information on RM 8210 and other currently available NIST RMs, please visit https://shop.

nist. gov .

additional Cannabis Projects At NIST Objective Image Analysis for Color Test Evaluation Objective : To rapidly (1) develop an objective image analysis method for interpreting colorimetric test results, (2) perform an interlaboratory study using the image analysis method to evaluate the reliability and accuracy of a new cannabis typification colorimetric test, and (3) provide standard operating procedures to forensic laboratories for THC determination.

For additional information on this project, please contact Ruthie Corzo ( ruthmara. corzo [at] nist. gov ).

Chemical Foundations for a Cannabis Breathalyzer Founded in 2019, this program was motivated by the rapid decriminalization of adult use and medical use of cannabis by state governments. This has led to extensive R&D by universities and industry to invent a cannabis breathalyzer for law enforcement to identify cannabis intoxication in a field environment.

Several versions of breath collection devices are being marketed for the detection of THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) in the breath of cannabis users. THC and other cannabinoids are non-volatile and chemically unstable, creating an as-yet-unsolved reliability challenge that did not exist for the alcohol breathalyzer.

ACMD’s scientists and engineers are using their backgrounds in vapor capture and analysis to identify and quantify biomarkers linked to recent cannabis use in the exhaled breath of cannabis users. For additional information on this project, please contact Tara Lovestead ( tara. lovestead [at] nist.

gov ( tara[dot]lovestead[at]nist[dot]gov ) ). NIST’s mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. Standard organization engagement is critical for the development of impactful measurement services, and some long-standing partnerships are described below.

To share your measurement services needs or suggest new or upgraded solutions, please contact the cannabis team at NIST ( cannabis [at] nist. gov ( cannabis[at]nist[dot]gov ) ).

ASTM INTERNATIONAL is a globally recognized leader in the development and delivery of voluntary consensus standards with over 12,000 ASTM standards used worldwide to improve product quality, enhance health and safety, strengthen market access and trade, and build consumer confidence.

NIST staff are actively involved in the D37 Cannabis committee and associated ASTM standards development activities and engaging with the cannabis community to inform the development of NIST measurement services.

The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC) OSAC is a collaborative body of more than 550 forensic scientists, administered by NIST, that consists of experts from all levels of government, academia, and industry.

OSAC strengthens the forensic practice by facilitating the development of technically sound, science-based standards through a formal standards development organization process, evaluating existing standards, and promoting the use of approved OSAC standards throughout the forensic science community.

Cannabis Meetings hosted by NIST Analytical Challenges in Seized Drug Analysis Workshop – November 21, 2024 Forensic laboratories have faced new challenges over the past few years that have pushed their scientist, protocols, and instrumentation to adapt to the routinely changing landscape of seized drug analysis.

Forensic scientists have been pushed to develop or modify existing methods to include sample preparation, isomer differentiation, and identification of unknown substances. This workshop will include three sessions for each of these challenges with topical and case study presentations. Attendees will be split into smaller groups to discuss approaches forensic scientists would employ in their laboratories for each case study presentation.

The objective of this workshop is to continue to improve analytical methods and forensic scientists' capabilities to address these challenges. The hope is to also inspire an active dialogue among scientists and improve collaboration as new challenges emerge in the seized drug analysis. Forensic Cannabis Workshop – November 14, 2022 This workshop included presentations from NIST researchers and forensic scientists from outside of NIST.

Session 1 presenters provided an overview of the current state of cannabis testing in forensic laboratories, moving from qualitative to quantitative measurements. Speakers provided insight on modifications/issues encountered, while also providing insight into current and future needs. Session 2 presenters focus on laboratory quality assurance in forensic laboratories and the Cannabis Laboratory Quality Assurance Program.

The workshop included a live round table discussion for the presenters to answer questions and exchange ideas with the audience. Forensic Cannabis Workshop – November 6, 2020 This workshop included presentations from NIST researchers and outside collaborators.

NIST presenters provided an overview of the newly developed sample preparation protocols, quantitative analytical methods (i.e., LC-UV, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and portable IR detectors), interlaboratory study results, and updates on cannabis RMs. NIST collaborators presented their in-house cannabis protocols, analytical methods, and validation schemes. All presentations can be viewed through the link above.

The workshop included a round table discussion for the presenters to answer questions and exchange ideas with the audience.

NIST Food Safety Workshop – October 28 – 31, 2019 This workshop brought experts from the food industry, government, academia, and support organizations (e.g., trade and standards organizations, instrument manufacturers) together with metrology experts to discuss challenges and possible solutions facing laboratories charged with ensuring the safety of the US and global food supply.

Food safety is a broad topic, and this workshop covered challenges with analysis of heavy metals, toxins, and residue contamination resulting from growth conditions, to allergens, bacteria, or other contamination occurring during processing and/or packaging. The full report from the workshop is available for download.

NIST Hemp RM and QAP Meeting at NIST – May 30, 2019 The CSD held an informal meeting at NIST with members of the cannabis community to discuss the needs of the hemp community for reliable measurements and product quality control. The meeting consisted of two NIST presentations and an open discussion between the 39 meeting attendees.

Participants provided NIST with the necessary information to start developing analytical tools to improve measurement comparability and product quality in the cannabis community. CSD has started developing an integrated measurement services program to accomplish these goals by developing cannabis Reference Materials and starting a Cannabis Laboratory Quality Assurance Program (CannaQAP) .

NIST has generated a series of Tutorials in Analytical Chemistry for training and education in chemical metrology. Each video introduces different aspects of laboratory operations for the analysis of complex matrix samples, including the theory and practice of liquid chromatography, sample extraction and processing, data treatment, and practical aspects of quantitative analysis.

Most tutorials contain a mixture of PowerPoint slides and video segments to illustrate basic principles and procedures for each topic. Cannabis-specific videos in the series are highlighted below. Preparation of Cannabis Reference and Control Materials Gravimetric and Volumetric Based Cannabis Quantitation Processing Cannabis Samples Wilson, W.

B. , Romares, A. , Goldman, S.

An in-depth study evaluating the determination of CBD, Δ 9 -THC, Δ 8 -THC, and 25 Additional Cannabinoids in Cannabis Concentrates by liquid chromatography with absorbance detection Chromatographia, 2022, 85, 115-125. Mulloor, J. , Wilson, W.

B. , Sander, L. C.

New perspectives on THCA decarboxylation and accurate GC-MS quantitation of Total THC in Cannabis using analyte protectants Forensic Chemistry, 2025, 44, 100668. Yarberry, A. J.

, Barber, C. A. , Wilson, W.

B. , Wood, L. J.

Cannabis Laboratory Quality Assurance Program: Exercise 3 Moisture Final Report NIST Interagency/Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) 8574, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD. Wilson, W. B.

, Yarberry, A. J. , Goldman, S.

Chromatographic interferences potentially inflating the levels of Δ9-THC in Cannabis Sativa plant samples and possible solutions Journal of Chromatography A, 2025, 1748, 465871. Wilson, W. B.

, Urbas, A. A. , Jensen, H.

, Sander, L. C. High-throughput LC-PDA method for determination of Δ9-THC and related cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa Forensic Chemistry, 2024, 41, 100610.

Yarberry, A. J. , Phillips, M.

M. , Wilson, W. B.

Cannabis Laboratory Quality Assurance Program: Exercise 2 Cannabinoid Final Report NIST Interagency/Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) 8519, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD. Bryan Salle, C. E.

, Wilson, W. B. , Barber, C.

A. , Johnson, M. E.

, Klingsick, J. R. , Mulloor, J.

, Toman, B. , Wood, E. S.

C. , Wood, L. J.

, Yarberry, A. J. Characterization of Reference Material 8210: Hemp Plant NIST Special Publication 260-248, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD.

Wilson, W. B. , Urbas, A.

A. , Abdur-Rahman, M. , Romares, A.

, Mistek-Morabito, E. Determination of Δ 9 -THC, THCA, Δ 8 -THC, and total Δ 9 -THC in 53 smokable hemp plant products by liquid chromatography and photodiode array detection Forensic Chemistry, 2024, 37, 100550. Barber, C.

A. , Bryan Sallee, C. E.

, Burdette, C. Q. , Kotoski, S.

P. , Phillips, M. M.

, Wilson, W. B. , Wood, L.

J. (2022), Cannabis Laboratory Quality Assurance Program: Exercise 2 Toxic Elements Final Report NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) 8452, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD. Barber, C.

A. , Bryan Sallee, C. E.

, Burdette, C. Q. , Kotoski, S.

P. , Phillips, M. M.

, Wilson, W. B. , Wood, L.

J. (2022), Cannabis Laboratory Quality Assurance Program: Exercise 2 Moisture Final Report NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) 8449, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD. Wilson, W.

B. , Urbas, A. A.

, and Scott, F. Study Reveals Inaccurate Labeling of Marijuana as Hemp Police Chief Magazine, 2022, October Issue, 24-26. Wilson, W.

B. , Abdur-Rahman, M. Determination of 11 cannabinoids in hemp plant and oils by liquid chromatography and photodiode array detection Chromatographia, 2022, 85, 115-125.

Abdur-Rahman, M. , Phillips, M. M.

, Wilson, W. B. , Wood, L.

J. (2022), Cannabis Laboratory Quality Assurance Program: Exercise 1 Final Report , NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) 8385, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD. Wood, L.

J. , Barber, C. , Rimmer, K.

, Wilson, W. B, and Phillips, M. M.

Measuring Heavy Metal Contaminants in Cannabis and Hemp in, Thomas, R. J. (Eds.)

, “ Chapter 23: The Importance of Laboratory Quality Assurance ” CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2020. Lovestead, T. M.

and Bruno, T. J. Determination of Cannabinoid Vapor Pressures to Aid in Vapor Phase Detection of Intoxication Forensic Chemistry, 2017, 5, 79-85.

Wilson, W. B. , Lovestead, T.

L. , “Detection of Δ 9 -THC in Cannabis-infused Gummies and Breath After Consumption” NIST Webinar for National Forensic Science Week , September 16, 2025 . Oral Presentation.

Wilson, W. B. , Bryan Salle, C.

E. , “NIST Releases Hemp Plant Reference Material to Improve Measurements of Cannabinoids and Toxic Elements in the Cannabis Industry” American Chemical Society Fall 2025 Conference , Washington, D. C.

, August 17-21, 2025 , Oral Presentation. Wilson, W. B.

, Ya-Chih C. , “Sample Preparation Procedures at NIST for the Determination of Δ 9 -THC and its isomers in Commercial and Seized Cannabis Vape Products by GC-MS” 77th Annual American Academy of Forensic Sciences , Baltimore, MD, February 17-21, 2025 . Oral Presentation.

Wilson, W. B. , “Chromatographic Interferences that Can Inflate the Levels of Δ9-THC in Cannabis Samples” National Institute of Justice Symposium at the 77th Annual American Academy of Forensic Sciences , Baltimore, MD, February 17-21, 2025 .

Oral Presentation. Ya-Chih C. , Wilson, W.

B. , “Optimizing Extraction Methods for Cannabinoid Quantitation in Cannabis Gummies: A Comparative Study Using LC-PDA” 77th Annual American Academy of Forensic Sciences , Baltimore, MD, February 17-21, 2025 . Poster Presentation.

Wilson W. B. , Sallee, C.

B. , Chambers M. I.

, Hayes H. H. , Johnson, M.

, Molloy, J. L. , Rimmer, C.

A. , and Yarberry, A. , “Value Assignment of NIST Reference Material 8210 Hemp Plant” 2024 Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientist , Atlantic City, NJ, October 21-25, 2024.

Poster Presentation. Chambers M. I.

and Wilson, W. B. , “Evaluation of Interferences Between Δ 9 -THC and CBNA in Cannabis Vape Oils by LC-PDA and DART-MS” 2024 Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientist , Atlantic City, NJ, October 21-25, 2024.

Poster Presentation. Wilson W. B.

, Sallee, C. B. , Hayes, H.

, Johnson, M. , Molloy, J. L.

, Rimmer, C. A. , and Yarberry, A.

, “Value Assignment of Cannabinoids and Toxic Elements in a Hemp Plant Reference Material” 2024 AOAC International Annual Meeting & Exposition , Baltimore, MD, August 23-28, 2024. Poster Presentation. Chambers M.

I. and Wilson W. B.

, “Utilizing Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry to Screen for Pesticide Contaminants on Cannabis Plant Materials” 2024 AOAC International Annual Meeting & Exposition , Baltimore, MD, August 23-28, 2024. Poster Presentation. Chambers M.

I. and Wilson W. B.

, “Application of Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry for the Detection of Pesticide Contaminants in Cannabis Plant Materials” 2024 North America Chemical Residue Workshop , Fort Lauderdale, FL, July 14-17, 2024. Poster Presentation. Cannabis Postdoctoral Opportunities at NIST are available in cooperation with the National Academies/National Research Council.

Chemical Metrology of Cannabis Plants and Cannabis-Containing Commercial Products Catching Crooks with Chemistry Separation Science Techniques for Trace Organic Analysis Novel Analytical Separation Science Methodology Chemical Metrology of Dietary Supplements Applications of Organic Analytical Chemistry in Forensic Science Advances in High Resolution Mass Spectrometry Activation and Deactivation of Cannabinoid Receptors by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy Screening Sampling and Characterization of Breath Metabolic Products Associated with Cannabis Use Applications of Real-Time Portable Mass Spectrometry in Forensic Science Chemical Foundation for Capture and Release of Difficult to Detect Drugs or Drug Metabolites of Abuse High-Accuracy Measurements on Complex Mixtures with NMR Spectroscopy: Applications to Refrigeration, Forensic Science, Hydrogen Storage and Carbon Capture Vapor Detection in Forensic Chemical Analysis Other Related NIST Projects Forensic Science Quality Assurance Program Chemistry , Analytical chemistry , Molecular characterization , Forensic science , Drugs and toxicology , Metrology , Amount of substance , Standards , Accreditation , Conformity assessment , Quality assurance , Reference materials and Standards education Created November 18, 2019, Updated December 16, 2025