South Dakota cannabis testing requirements

Required tests

• Potency
• Pesticides
• Residual solvents
• Heavy metals
• Microbials
• Mycotoxins

ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation

Required within a set period. ARSD 44:90:06:01 (amended 4 August 2025): a lab must be working with an accreditation body before it accepts samples and must complete ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation within 32 months of registration, or its registration is revoked.

Notes

• Rules: ARSD 44:90:06 (testing facilities) and 44:90:09 (sampling and testing); action levels in 44:90:05:10 and 44:90:07:03.
• Potency: THC, plus CBD when labeled; THC may not vary more than 10% from the label.
• Microbials: total aerobic bacteria, total yeast and mold, bile-tolerant gram-negative bacteria; STEC, Salmonella and Aspergillus (fumigatus, flavus, terreus, niger) under 1 CFU/g.
• Mycotoxins: aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 and ochratoxin A. Heavy metals: arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury.
• Pesticides: 13 listed analytes plus any prohibited synthetic pesticide. Residual solvents: separate action levels for inhalable and other products.
• Water activity and moisture are not on the mandatory list.
• Labs must register with the DEA (ARSD 44:90:06:01).
• The department runs confirmation testing, with the South Dakota Public Health Laboratory; since 1 January 2024 it may test accredited labs less often if they pass proficiency testing.
• Voters approved IM 26 (medical) in 2020 and rejected adult-use measures IM 27 (2022) and IM 29 (2024).