Accurate weights are a key tool for pricing, seed-to-sale tracking, and tax reporting; even small measurement errors can trigger compliance violations, customer issues, and revenue loss. Kentucky regulations specifically require licensees to keep written procedures for maintaining equipment that comes into contact with medical cannabis.
To help facilitate compliance, the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis issued guidance for licensed cultivators and processors on maintaining, calibrating, inspecting, and certifying scales in compliance with 915 KAR 1:030 and 915 KAR 1:040.
Key requirements:
- Perform regular calibration and accuracy checks for all measuring devices, including scales and balances.
- Maintain cleanliness and preventive maintenance protocols to avoid inaccurate measurements.
- Keep detailed records of maintenance, cleaning, and calibration, and make them available to state officials upon request.
Scale certification logistics:
- Schedule inspection, calibration, and certification with a service company recognized by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.
- After calibration, each instrument should receive a certification decal.
- Certifications are time-limited and cannot extend beyond one calendar year; calendar renewals and follow any re-calibration intervals from your provider.
Practical takeaways:
- Formalize and update SOPs, engage an approved service company for annual certification, and proactively schedule re-calibration and maintenance.
- Build and maintain a defensible documentation trail to reduce operational risk and avoid penalties tied to measurement inaccuracies.
If you have questions about implementing these requirements, aligning your SOPs with applicable regulations, and/or preparing for inspections, please reach out to the Dentons team for assistance.
