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New DCC sanitation rules and pesticide testing changes: what Nevada County licensees need to know

1 day ago
4 min read

The Department of Cannabis Control has finalized two regulatory updates that affect licensed cannabis businesses across California. The details below come straight from the DCC, and we're passing them along in with a checklist for each so you can see what applies to your operation.


One set of rules took effect July 1, 2026, so it already applies to you. The other starts October 1, 2026. Here's what changed.


Sanitation standards are now in effect


As of July 1, 2026, new minimum sanitation standards apply to any licensee who cultivates cannabis for harvest, processes cannabis, creates non-manufactured cannabis products, or packages cannabis or non-manufactured cannabis products for retail sale. They live in California Code of Regulations, title 4, sections 15060, 15061, and 15062, part of the rulemaking package known as DCC-2025-01-R.


Before the specifics, one reassurance. The DCC has said it does not expect or require licensees to keep hospital-grade cleanliness, and a single speck of dust on a processing tool is not a violation. The goal is commonsense measures that keep unpackaged cannabis free of contamination. Three areas changed.


Cleaning and sanitizing tools, equipment, and containers


Tools and utensils used to process cannabis, create non-manufactured products, or package for retail must be cleaned and sanitized each day they're in use, and between work on different harvest batches. Think scissors, funnels, sieves, and sifters.


Equipment surfaces that touch processed cannabis, unpackaged cannabis, or unpackaged non--manufactured goods must be cleaned and sanitized each day the equipment is in use. That covers trimming machines, sorting machines, rolling machines, tables, countertops, tarps, and trays.


Containers used to store or transport processed cannabis must be cleaned and sanitized, or lined with a new, single-use liner, at minimum before each use.


The rule defines "clean" as free of visible dust, dirt, debris, cannabis residue, and food residue. "Sanitize" means applying a chemical sanitizer that meets federal requirements, by immersion, manual scrubbing, or brushing, and used according to the manufacturer's directions. Full details are in CCR section 15061 on page 89 of the DCC-2025-01-R.


Handwashing and glove use


If you or your crew process harvested cannabis, create non-manufactured products, package cannabis, or otherwise handle unpackaged cannabis, you now need to provide access to one of two things: a handwashing station with potable running water, liquid soap or another surfactant, single-service paper towels or an electric hand dryer, and a waste container, or single-use, food-safe, non-latex gloves.


Immediately before any of these tasks, each person either washes their hands (scrubbing with soap for at least 15 seconds, rinsing with potable running water, and drying with paper towels or a hand dryer) or puts on a fresh pair of single-use, food-safe, non-latex gloves. See CCR section 15062 on page 90 of the DCC-2025-01-R.


Animals and animal waste


Service animals as defined in federal law are the exception. Beyond that, animals are prohibited from indoor areas where unpackaged cannabis or non-manufactured products are present, and from outdoor areas used for processing, creating non-manufactured products, or packaging.


Animal waste, other than manure used as fertilizer, found within 30 feet of cannabis plants or harvested cannabis has to be removed and disposed of immediately once you spot it. Details are in CCR section 15060 on page 89 of the DCC-2025-01-R.


Your sanitation checklist


  • Set up a daily clean-and-sanitize routine for tools, and add a step between harvest batches

  • Confirm your sanitizer meets federal requirements and follow the label directions

  • Stock a handwashing station, or keep food-safe non-latex gloves on hand, wherever unpackaged cannabis is handled

  • Keep pets and other animals out of processing and packaging areas

  • Walk your 30-foot perimeter around plants and harvested cannabis, and clear animal waste on sight

  • Review the final text of sections 15060, 15061, and 15062 so your SOPs match the language


Pesticide testing action levels change October 1


This second update is written for licensed testing laboratories, not farmers. We're including it because it changes the action levels behind the results on your certificate of analysis, so it helps to know it's coming.


The DCC amended CCR title 4, chapter 6 (Testing Laboratories) in a two-phase rollout under package DCC-2025-03-R.


Phase one takes effect October 1, 2026, implementing CCR section 15719, subsection (c), with the revised action levels in table 1. These apply to all samples reported on or after October 1. Labs that can already quantify at the new action levels don't need to take further action, but they do need to update their internal systems and standard operating procedures to match.


Phase two follows on April 1, 2028, implementing subsection (d). It adds 14 pesticides and sets lower action levels for some analytes in table 2.


What this means for you as a licensee: the pass and fail thresholds your lab uses are being recalibrated. If you have questions about how the October 1 change could affect your COAs, the best step is a conversation with your testing lab before your next batch goes in.


We'll keep translating these updates as they come, and if anything here raises a question about your own operation, reach out to the office and we'll walk through it with you.


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