USDA Compliance Panel for Growers

ACS Laboratory helps hemp growers nationwide meet strict state and federal regulations for potency and purity. A USDA-approved laboratory, ACS ensures hemp plants remain within legal THC limits before harvest. The team also provides resampling, retesting, and remediation guidance when needed. With ACS’s award-winning testing methods, growers can confidently cultivate and certify high-quality, federally compliant hemp.

USDA Hemp Compliance Testing

ACS Laboratory is a USDA-designated Hemp Analytical Testing Laboratory authorized to work with growers in all regions that accept this designation. Its team ensures hemp biomass meets federal potency standards for distribution.

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State-by-State Compliance Testing

ACS Laboratory is certified to test hemp in 7 states with unique programs, including New York, Colorado, Florida, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas, and Louisiana. These panels align with the strictest state regulations for full compliance.

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Hemp R&D Testing Panels

ACS Laboratory offers advanced R&D testing for growers and manufacturers. These non-regulatory tests analyze cannabinoid profiles, refine formulations, and optimize product development with precise data for innovation and market success.R+ D services for Plant Health: Hops Latent Viroid, Lettuce Chlorosis Virus, Cannabis Cryptic Virus. Shelf Life and Stability for Final Products.

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Federal Hemp
Compliance Resources

USDA’s Final Rule for the Domestic Hemp Production Program (effective March 22, 2021)

Hemp Program Fact Sheet

Hemp Licenses Public Search Tool

Status of State and Tribal Hemp Production Plans for USDA Approval

USDA Extends Enforcement Deadline for Hemp to be Tested by DEA-Registered Laboratories (Dec. 31, 2025)

WE ARE USDA- AND STATE-COMPLIANT.

FEDERAL COMPLIANCE

What You Need To Know

After the 2018 Farm Bill was enacted, the federal government drafted regulations related to hemp sales and growth. More than a year later, the USDA issued interim final hemp rules for cultivation and testing.

While these rules are not final yet, they represent a solid foundation for the creation of individual state programs around the country.

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USDA Hemp Testing Panel

According to the USDA’s rule, hemp plants must contain less than 0.3% total Delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis. Total THC is defined by the following equation: Total THC = (Delta-9 THC) + (0.877 × THCA)

THC Testing

Matrix: Flowers & Plants
‍ACS laboratory tests hemp biomass for total THC via gas or liquid chromatography methods, according to federal requirements.

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State-by-State & National Hemp Testing Options

ACS offers custom hemp testing panels for the 7 states that have launched their own USDA-compliant programs, including New York, Colorado, Florida, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas, and Louisiana.. These states enforce stricter regulations than the USDA, requiring comprehensive cannabinoid profiling and contaminant screening to ensure higher safety and quality standards.Hemp brands that want to ensure multistate compliance can explore ACS’s National Hemp Testing Panel.

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01

THC Testing

Matrix: Flowers & Plants, Derivative Products, and Edibles
Testing plants and products to ensure compliance with federal total THC rules

02

Cannabinoid Potency

Matrix: Flowers & Plants, Derivative Products, and Edibles
State-specific or national cannabinoid potency panels available.

03

Pesticides

Matrix: Flowers & Plants, Derivative Products, and Edibles
State-specific or national cannabinoid potency panels available.

04

Mycotoxins

Matrix: Flowers & Plants, Derivative Products, and Edibles
State-specific or national mycotoxin panels available.

05

Heavy metals

Matrix: Flowers & Plants, Derivative Products, and Edibles
State-specific or national heavy metals panels available.

06

Moisture and Water Activity

Matrix: Flowers & Plants, Derivative Products, and Edibles
State-specific or national water level panels available.

07

Moisture

Matrix: Flowers & PlantsState-specific or national moisture panels available.

08

Filth & foreign materials

Matrix: Flowers & Plants, Derivative Products, and Edibles
State-specific or national filth & foreign panels available.

09

Residual solvents

Matrix: Derivative Products and Edibles
State-specific or national residual solvent panels available.

H2 = R+D Testing Options

01

Viral Infections

Matrix: Flowers & Plants
ACS tests hemp for hops latent viroid, lettuce chlorosis virus, and cannabis cryptic virus to prevent crop damage and loss.

02

Micronutrients

Matrix: Flowers & Plants
ACS Laboratory’s R&D testing measures 27 micronutrientslike calcium, magnesium, and potassium to assess soil health and plant nutrition.

03

Terpenes

Matrix: Flowers & Plants, Derivative Products, and Edibles
ACS Laboratory’s R&D panels analyze over 38 terpenes, enhancing product aroma, flavor, and therapeutic potential.

04

Flavonoids

Matrix: Flowers & Plants, Derivative Products, and Edibles
ACS tests for 16 flavonoids to help MMTCs understand the compounds contributing to color, taste, and health benefits.

How Accurate Are ACS Laboratory’s Hemp Tests?

ACS Laboratory’s R&D panels help hemp growers screen for up to 105 pesticides, pathogenic microbiology, heavy metals, and mycotoxins before these contaminants destroy their crops. Pre-harACS Laboratory ranks among the nation’s 5% most precise labs, earning 82 Emerald Test badges for excellence in potency, purity, and compliance testing. Growers and processors trust ACS to deliver results they can stake their business on.vest R&D testing also ensures hemp biomass is market-ready.

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ISO/IEC 17025:2017 ACCREDITED by A2LA #6786.01

DEA REGISTERED (#RA0571996)

For Cultivators

For Manufacturers & Processors

Laboratory Requirements

Additional Resources

R+D Testing

Request a Test

A scientist transferring CBD oil over to a vial for potency testing

WE ARE USDA- AND STATE-COMPLIANT.

FLORIDA COMPLIANCE

What You Need To Know

In 2020, Florida created a state hemp program that regulates plant cultivation and ingestible products. Florida’s hemp program does not cover smokable hemp yet. However, this has been added to a recent House bill that will be signed into law in the near future.

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For Hemp Cultivators

Licensing Process

Growers who want to cultivate hemp in Florida must submit a FREE application to the FDACS and adhere to all requirements.

THC Potency Testing

According to Florida law, cultivators must ensure their crops contain no more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis.

Sample Collection & Testing

Hemp cultivators must coordinate sample collection with their laboratory and share the results with the FDACS in accordance with the Pre-Harvest Sampling Manual.

Remediation & Retesting

Cultivators have two chances to retest plots that exceed the 0.3% THC limit before the plots must be destroyed.

Rule 5B-57.014 State Hemp Program

The complete 9-page document from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is available for download here.

Licensing Process

Hemp farming hopefuls in Florida must submit a free application to the FDACS to be officially designated in the state. Licensee applicants must:

Pass a background check & submit fingerprints

Submit an environmental containment & transportation plan

Ensure they are using certified seeds & identify the land for cultivation

Follow all guidelines at FDACS.gov

THC Potency Testing

In order to prove their plot is below the legal limit of 0.3% THC, hemp growers must follow a precise sampling protocol and test with a state-designated, DEA-registered (#RA0571996), ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accredited by A2LA third-party laboratory.

Plants must be tested 30 days prior to harvest by a designated laboratory

The testing laboratory must submit results to the department within two days of receipt

If a crop exceeds the legal THC limit, cultivators can dispose, destroy or retest

Licensees must wait for department approval before they can harvest the lot

Learn more from Florida’s Hemp Plan

Safety Tests

Hemp cultivators are not responsible for contamination testing. Such safety tests are required by processors and manufacturers who produce ingestible hemp products.

Sample Collection & Testing

At 30 days prior to harvest, hemp licensees must complete a pre-harvest sample submission form and work with an FDACS agent to collect a representative sample from each lot. Growers must:

Assemble sanitized sampling equipment and protective gear

Identify the lot of hemp & divide into 4 equal parts

Assemble 8-inch-long clippings from the primary stem, including floral material

Submit the sample to an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accredited, independent laboratory.

Learn more on page 30 of the hemp program rules

Pre-Harvest Sample Size Chart

Remediation & Retesting

Cultivators whose samples contain more than 0.3% THC can retest up to two times before they must dispose of the entire plot in accordance with the following guidelines.

Licensee must request a retest within one day of receiving the results

If the retest fails, the cultivator can request the FDACS perform a confirmatory test within one day

If the confirmatory test fails, the crop must be destroyed and the cultivator must notify the department via a Notice of Disposal

Learn more on pages 21-23 of the state hemp program

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For Hemp Processors
& Manufacturers

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Food Safety (FDACS/DFS) oversees rules related to ingestible hemp products, which includes CBD. Hemp extract can only be sold if the product has a Certificate of Analysis (COA) prepared by an independent testing laboratory and is sold in approved packaging.

Licensing Process

Companies that want to process hemp extract in the state must submit an application to the department’s Division of Food Safety.

THC & Safety Testing

According to Florida law, hemp processors must ensure their products contain no more than 0.3% THC and are free from harmful contaminants.

Remediation & Retesting

Processors may remediate and retest products, but they can only sell extracts that are proven safe and compliant.

Labeling & Packaging

Hemp food products must adhere to generic food labeling requirements and specific hemp packaging rules.

Laboratory Requirements

Florid hemp cultivators, processors and food establishments must work with designated independent testing laboratories. Designated laboratories, like ACS must meet the following requirements:

Accredited to the International Organization for Standardization.

Registered with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA #RA0571996) in accordance with 21 CFR 1301.13.

Utilize a Cannabinoid Analysis method included within the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 scope of accreditation.

The ability to deliver results within two days of sample collection.

ACS Laboratory is the largest ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accredited by A2LA #6786.01, DEA registered (#RA0571996), Hemp/CBD and Cannabis testing facility in the Eastern United States. USDA compliant and officially a “designated laboratory” by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry (FDACS/DPI); ACS is the ONLY DEA licensed laboratory that performs all hemp testing in Florida.

State Hemp
Compliance Resources

Florida State Hemp Program and Notice of Disposal

Hemp Cultivation License Application

Hemp Extract Rules

Hemp Field Pre-Harvest Sampling Manual

Hemp Post Harvest Sampling Manuals

R+D Testing

At ACS Laboratory, we also conduct R+D testing, intended for manufacturers and cultivators who want to utilize the results to improve the process of creating CBD products. R&D tests are conducted using the same protocols as compliance tests. On the other hand, you would choose compliance testing once R&D testing has been completed and products are known to be within the rules and regulations set forth.

Compliance testing is the final piece of the regulatory puzzle to ensure all products are what they are supposed to be and consumers are provided quality products.

Disclaimer: This content is current as of 02/01/2023. It is meant to be a guiding resource and should not be used to replace legal advice. Please speak to an attorney to confirm all questions related to compliance testing.

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