How to create homogenous composite batch samples for testing

Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is providing testing facility instruction about options for creating homogenous composite batch samples of infused edible products for testing.

Note: Homogenized composite batch sample and representative sample are defined in Minnesota Rules, part 9810.0200, subparts 27 and 52.

Please refer to the /ocm/assets/OCM_Cannabis_Technical_Authority_v2.0_tcm1202-678506.pdfCannabis Technical Authority for complete cannabis and hemp product testing information.

This bulletin is an update to the sample handling and preparation methods at testing facilities provided in Minnesota Rules, part 9810.3100, subpart 4, due to the potential for very large sample volumes of infused edible products. OCM recognizes the technical difficulty of homogenizing a very large batch of infused edible products and is therefore providing this alternative method of selecting representative units of the product.

For infused edible products that can be itemized into individual pieces or servings (such as gummies and chocolate bars), each testing facility shall either have 1) a documented procedure to homogenize the lab sample as received (before selecting the portion for analysis) or 2) have a documented randomization process procedure for selecting representative units of the product for compliance analysis. If a partial unit is analyzed for a certain method, the partial unit shall proportionally represent the composition of the whole unit.

When randomized units are selected for analysis, at least 30% of the product shall be removed from packaging and evaluated for visual uniformity before selecting the random units for analysis. If the units lack visual uniformity, then the whole sample must be homogenized before selecting the portion for analysis.

Each testing facility must choose and clearly document its method of sample preparation in the facility’s standard operating procedures, and all employees must follow the written procedures consistently and uniformly.