Sample Submission and Testing Requirements

When can samples be received or picked up?
Rio Grande Analytics accepts samples from 9am to 3pm, Monday through Friday at both our Albuquerque and Las Cruces facilities. Arrangements can be made outside of these times if needed. We also offer sample pick-up service in the Albuquerque Metro area with at least 24 hours advanced notice. Give us a call to schedule a pickup.

Where are you located?
Our Albuquerque facility located half a block south of Interstate-40 on 6th Street NW, in Albuquerque. The entrance to our parking lot is directly across from Bow and Arrow Brewing. The door we receive samples through is located on the north face of the building.

Our Las Cruces facility is located at the West Mesa Industrial park south of the airport, south of Interstate-10. Call (505) 348-6230 for additional information.

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What information do I need to manifest samples to Rio Grande Analytics on the BioTrackTHC portal?

Our Albuquerque license number is 1104 and the UBI is 555000104.

Our Las Cruces license number is 1109 and the UBI is 555000009.

There are helpful resources, including the official BioTrack training videos released by RLD, available on our Resources page. The BioTrackTHC Systems Training Manual can be downloaded as a PDF file here. BioTrack's help page can be found here. And here is the NMCCD BioTrack Resource page.

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What is the Rio Grande Analytics Submission Agreement?

As of June 17, 2025 submitting samples is an acknowledgment of agreement to the below terms.
"Rio Grande Analytics LLC will make every effort to provide accurate analysis of samples received, with liability limited to the cost of analysis. Tests may be repeated at the sole discretion of Rio Grande Analytics LLC. No other warranties, expressed or implied, are given. Prices subject to change without notice. All invoice terms are Net 30. Noncompliance with payment terms may result in the removal of associated data from the track and trace system. For current pricing, and additional terms and conditions, please refer to our website at www.riograndeanalytics.com."

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What chain of custody documents are necessary to send along with sample submissions, and what testing is required for different product categories?

We require that you use our up to date Cannabis Chain of Custody Submission Form, which will always be available here and our Services page. This form includes all necessary information for submission, allows you to provide a name, BioTrack QA Sample ID, and notes for each sample, and for each testing option, the amount of material required and pricing is given. For State compliance testing, indicate which product type is being submitted and we will perform all necessary testing according to Table 1 in NMAC 16.8.7.15 (embedded below). It is important that you select the correct material type for the samples you submit. We also require any samples submitted for compliance testing be manifested to us for QA through the BioTrackTHC portal before analysis begins. (This excludes finished product testing, such as edibles or other inhalables, as these types of lots currently cannot be manifested to us via BioTrackTHC). A copy of the New Mexico Marijuana Transport Manifest generated is also required to be submitted along with the samples. For R&D testing, it is as simple as selecting the individual analyses you would like us to perform and providing a name for each sample!

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​Screenshot captured from https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title16/16.008.0007.html on 6/17/25​​

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How should samples be collected? Does a laboratory agent need to collect them?
On March 9th, 2022, the Cannabis Control Division issued emergency rule amendments that staggered the implementation of laboratory staff sample collections until no earlier that March 1st, 2023. As of March 15th, 2023, this requirement has been tabled by CCD (via email to licensees) until further notice, and self-sampling by the licensees is still in effect. There is this Cannabis Testing Self-Sampling Guidance that the CCD has released. According to 16.8.2.48 NMAC, for official results to be released the samples must be collected by an authorized person for a licensed cannabis establishment.

What pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides) and plant growth regulators are registered with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture for use on Cannabis sp. and where can I find the list?
There are 136 pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and growth regulators registered for use in New Mexico on Cannabis and hemp (as of the last update in April 2025). The list of these compounds can be found at the New Mexico Department of Agriculture website, https://nmdeptag.nmsu.edu/aes/hemp/cannabis-registered-pesticides-and-growth-regulators.html. According to Table 5, found in Subsection J of 16.8.7.8 NMAC, any pesticide not registered for use has an action level of 0.02 μg/g. The NMDA suggests these three things be known before using an approved pesticide or growth regulator on Cannabis or hemp:

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1. Always read and follow the pesticide label. Refer to the label for the most up to date information such as: re-entry intervals, pre-harvest intervals and all other use direction and safety precautions.

2. Check with your extractor/processor/buyer to determine if they have any policies regarding pesticides. Some extractors/processors/buyers may reject your crop due to pesticide residues that can contaminate their solvent or equipment, not allowed in products they sell, or may render a crop unusable due to unpleasant taste (i.e. bud for inhalation).

3. If you are growing for an end product that will be exported out of the country, there may be additional requirements and limitations for pesticide uses on your crop

Do you offer testing for unlicensed personal growers? 
We do! We offer personal growers one free potency test and terpene quantification a year, after that it is $50 per sample. We currently only offer non-licensed individuals these two analyses, cannabinoid potency and terpene profiling. Feel free to drop off at our either of our locations anytime during normal business hours.