Frequently Asked Questions

DRS Testing is a certified cannabis testing lab in New York approved by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). We provide a full scope of compliance testing for all cannabis products, including flower, extracts, edibles, tinctures, vapes, and beverages.

Our services cover potency testing (THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids), terpene profile testing, and the full range of required safety tests: pesticides, heavy metals, microbial safety, mycotoxins, residual solvents, moisture content, water activity, and foreign matter.

Because we perform all tests in-house, there are no subcontracting delays. This ensures your batches get faster turnaround and consistent results. Every Certificate of Analysis (COA) we issue meets New York’s strict OCM cannabis testing limits, so your products are fully compliant before reaching dispensary shelves.

Yes. Under New York law, every single batch (or lot) of cannabis must be tested by an independent OCM-permitted lab before being sold or transferred. This applies to all product types — dried flower, concentrates, infused edibles, topicals, tinctures, and vapes.

Skipping or delaying testing isn’t just risky, it’s illegal. Products that don’t have a valid COA cannot be sold to consumers or distributors. In fact, untested or mislabeled products are one of the most common reasons for OCM recalls.

Testing also protects your business. By verifying potency, safety, and label accuracy, you reduce liability risks, avoid fines, and show regulators that you are operating within compliance. DRS Testing works with licensed growers and processors across New York to streamline this process, making sure every lot you sell is legally protected and market-ready.

Submit Samples to DRS Testing

New York requires that samples be collected by an OCM-authorized sampling firm, not the licensee. This ensures impartiality and prevents tampering. When your batch is complete and packaged, you’ll schedule a sampling event.

During the event, the sampling firm selects random units under OCM protocols. The entire process must be video recorded and stored for at least 90 days as proof. Once sealed, the samples are transported under chain-of-custody directly to DRS Testing for analysis.

A cannabis potency test measures cannabinoids like THC, THCA, CBD, and CBDA to confirm label accuracy and consumer safety. For many products, regulators also require that minor cannabinoids (like CBG, CBC, CBN) be reported.

At DRS Testing, we go beyond the basics. Our potency tests also include a delta-9 THC calculation (which determines compliance with THC limits) and can be paired with terpene testing for a complete chemical profile. This is especially important if you plan to market flavor, aroma, or “strain-specific” products.

Incorrect potency claims can result in regulatory penalties and product recalls. For example, an edible labeled as “10 mg THC” per serving that tests at 20 mg would not only mislead consumers but also violate OCM limits. With precise testing, you avoid compliance risks and strengthen consumer trust.

Turnaround times depend on the size of the batch and the analytes being tested. On average, potency-only panels are completed in 2–3 business days, while full compliance panels take 3–5 business days.

At DRS Testing, we know that delays cost money. That’s why we prioritize both accuracy and speed. We conduct all testing in-house without subcontracting. We also offer expedited testing when urgent deadlines arise, such as when a distributor is waiting on COAs for a launch.

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If your batch fails, you’ll receive a detailed COA showing which analyte caused the failure — for example, pesticide residues above the allowable limit, microbial contamination, inaccurate THC potency, or heavy metal detection.

Depending on the failure type, options may include:

• Remediation (e.g., extraction of microbial-contaminated flower into oil for re-testing).

• Reprocessing under OCM approval.

• Destruction of the product if remediation isn’t allowed (such as with heavy metal or pesticide failures).

At DRS Testing, we don’t just deliver results, we help you interpret them. Our team walks clients through their reports and advises on the best next steps. In one case, a processor we worked with failed due to microbial contamination; we helped them implement better drying and storage practices, and their next batch passed without issue.

The Office of Cannabis Management requires testing for multiple analyte groups to protect public health. These include:

• Microbials: E. coli, Salmonella, mold, yeast.

• Mycotoxins: Aflatoxins and ochratoxin.

• Heavy Metals: Lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury.

• Pesticides: Dozens of regulated chemicals with strict limits.

• Residual Solvents: Butane, ethanol, propane, etc. in extracts.

• Terpenes: Profile testing for accurate labeling.

• Moisture & Water Activity: For shelf stability.

• Foreign Matter: No debris, fibers, or insects.

Every batch must pass all of these tests. At DRS Testing, our equipment and staff are trained to meet OCM’s evolving requirements.

Our services are exclusively for licensed growers, processors, and distributors in New York State. We do not test for consumers or offer at-home THC kits. Every batch we test must come from a licensed business and be submitted through proper OCM sampling procedures.

This ensures that all testing we conduct is legally valid for compliance purposes and directly supports the regulated supply chain. If you’re a licensed cannabis business in New York, DRS Testing is your partner for staying compliant, competitive, and trusted.