Standardization News

ASTM International’s cannabis committee (D37) has developed a new standard on medicinal-use cannabis inflorescence.

The standard, soon to be published as D8439, provides specifications for cannabis flower that can be used to support sound and reproducible research. According to ASTM International member David Vaillencourt, this standard will help consumers, labs, regulators, and manufacturers of cannabis products by establishing consistent testing for quality and safety.

“With a fragmented cannabis industry marketplace, there is no common set of requirements around reporting cannabinoids and terpenes, which are the primary constituents that are linked to therapeutic benefits,” says Vaillencourt. “This lack of consistency harms public health and prevents evaluation of product safety and efficacy across jurisdictions. This standard provides a solution to this problem.”

Vaillencourt further notes that with the rapid pace of innovation in the cannabis industry, it must take more steps, like creating D8439, to standardize internationally and ensure patient welfare.

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