The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Cannabis lab" means a laboratory that tests cannabis for compliance with product standards established by rule by the state liquor and cannabis board.

(2) "Team" means the interagency coordination team for cannabis laboratory quality standards created in this chapter.

Purpose—2022 c 135: "The purpose of this act is to create an interagency coordination team responsible for the program that establishes and maintains quality standards for laboratories conducting analysis of recreational and medicinal cannabis with THC levels greater than 0.3 percent. The interagency team includes the department of agriculture, the liquor and cannabis board, and the department of health. The standards must be adopted by rule by the department of agriculture, and changes to standards may require reference in liquor and cannabis board and department of health rules. This authority to establish these rules transfers from the liquor and cannabis board to the department of agriculture. This act implements the recommendations of the cannabis science task force established in *RCW 43.21A.735.

According to the task force's recommendations: "Laboratory quality standards are the elements used in the evaluation of a product's compliance with established product standards. They consist of approved methods, method validation protocols, and performance measures and criteria applied to the testing of the product. Establishing appropriate and well-defined laboratory quality standards is essential to communicate to the testing laboratories what standardized practices and procedures are appropriate.

Laboratory quality standards help ensure the data that laboratories generate are credible and can be used to provide consumer protections. They should represent sound scientific protocols, and detail practical and specific guidance for the testing subject matter. Together, well-established product standards, laboratory quality standards, and accreditation standards should function to garner confidence for consumers and the industry they support."" [ 2022 c 135 s 1.]

*Reviser's note: RCW 43.21A.735 expired December 31, 2022.

(1) The interagency coordination team for cannabis laboratory quality standards is created. The team consists of the department, the liquor and cannabis board, and the department of health. The department is designated lead agency for the team and must provide the team with all necessary administrative support.

(2) The agencies that make up the team must each dedicate administrative, policy, scientific, or other staff necessary to successfully accomplish the duties assigned to the team.

(3) The team must:

(a) Coordinate among all participating agencies on agency policies, actions, and regulatory activities that relate to cannabis testing laboratory quality standards; and

(b) Advise the department on implementation and maintenance of cannabis testing laboratory quality standards topics including, but not limited to, analytical methods, validation protocols, quality assurance and quality control practices, project planning and sampling guides, and other topics as necessary to fulfill the purposes of the team and chapter 135, Laws of 2022. In making its recommendations, the team must take into account the cannabis science task force recommendations.

Purpose—2022 c 135: See note following RCW 15.150.010.

(1) The department must establish and maintain cannabis testing laboratory quality standards by rule in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW.

(2) Cannabis testing laboratory quality standards must include, but are not limited to, approved methods for testing cannabis for compliance with product standards established by rule by the state liquor and cannabis board or the department of health, method validation protocol, and performance measures and criteria applied to testing of cannabis products.

(3) The department must take into account the recommendations of the team created in RCW 15.150.020.

(4) Standards created under this chapter must be provided to the state department of ecology for use in the lab accreditation process described in RCW 69.50.348.

Purpose—2022 c 135: See note following RCW 15.150.010.