The significance of industry standards within the cannabis sector cannot be emphasized enough, as they establish the market as legitimate and trustworthy. By upholding these standards, the sector not only gains credibility but also opens the door to further regulatory acceptance and improved levels of quality, safety, and consumer satisfaction, which ultimately, fosters sustainable, long-term growth.
Let's delve into the significance of industry standards and the efforts being made to establish them in the cannabis sector.
The Importance of a Shared Vision
Establishing industry standards requires collective efforts and collaboration among industry leaders, regulatory bodies, and organizations. One prominent organization working towards this goal is
ASTM International's Committee D37 on Cannabis. This committee, formed in 2017, is dedicated to developing and maintaining standards for cannabis, its products, and processes - it was a natural fit for C15 Solutions!
C15 has recently joined the committee and will be actively contributing to the development of industry standards. Not only will C15 be contributing to standard development by sharing best practice workflows, but the committee’s expertise and best practices will also help C15 refine customer workflows as standards evolve. This type of collaboration ensures that standards align with industry needs, driving continuous improvement in product quality, safety, and compliance.
Revolutionizing Cannabis Operations: How ASTM D37's Guide Can Transform the Industry
In a groundbreaking move,
ASTM D37 has acknowledged a pressing need for Quality Management Systems in the cannabis industry. Their latest proposal aims to establish a comprehensive guide that will revolutionize the way organizations involved in cannabis consumer products operate. By encompassing all aspects from cultivation to distribution, this guide seeks to foster robust Quality Management Systems in both the medicinal and recreational sectors.
With the introduction of this guide, regulatory bodies now have a powerful tool to ensure compliance and guarantee the production of high-quality and standardized goods. In addition, companies in all verticals across the cannabis supply chain would now have a framework to develop their Internal Quality systems to meet market demands and regulatory bodies. This major step aligns the cannabis industry with other heavily regulated sectors, such as food and pharmaceuticals, where consumer safety and product consistency are paramount.
Exciting developments have also taken place on the state level, with New York and New Jersey taking significant strides in cannabis production regulation.
Both states have now mandated that producers operate under a Quality Management System, with strict requirements for record-keeping and traceability throughout the cultivation and manufacturing stages. Missouri is another state that has mandated cannabis businesses implement a Quality Management System -
by requiring this, the state ensures the industry is operating in a safe, responsible, and consistent manner, while also setting cannabis operators up for long-term success. This underscores the importance of implementing standardized processes, especially in the absence of federal regulation.
How Standardization Gaps Impact Cannabis Operators
While some progress has been made, there are still numerous areas that lack standardization. Key aspects such as quality event procedures, training processes, lab testing methods, waste recycling, and banking procedures face the need for standardized approaches. These aspects currently see challenges like inconsistent testing results, inadequate training procedures for quality management professionals, unclear classification and production methods, difficulties in accessing capital, and rising insurance premiums. The absence of uniform guidelines and standardized rhetoric contributes to inefficiencies, operational challenges, increased risks, and higher expenses for cannabis operators.
While the industry awaits comprehensive standardization, operators are left grappling with a fragmented landscape. To paint a picture of how difficult it is to scale, many states have different marketing regulations, production standards, AND testing requirements.
However, Quality Management Systems can provide a solution by harmonizing certain processes and procedures across operations while allowing for customization where needed. Quality Management Systems not only enable operators to exercise control over their operations but also accelerate the standardization process once regulatory frameworks are established - win-win!
Learn how C15 impacted Vantage Hemp Co. when the company adopted its eQMS platform.
The Building Blocks of a Responsible and Competitive Cannabis Market
The benefits of standardization in the cannabis sector are numerous and can have a positive impact on consumers, businesses, and regulatory bodies. Here are some key advantages:
Enhancing Product Quality and Safety
Implementing robust industry standards helps maintain uniformity and minimize variations in product quality. By setting guidelines for cultivation, processing, manufacturing, and distribution, these standards ensure that cannabis products meet specific quality benchmarks. This promotes consistency, reduces defects, enhances the overall customer experience, and safeguards the public by reducing the potential health risks associated with the consumption of contaminated products.
Building Consumer Trust and Confidence
Consumers need assurance that the products they purchase are safe, reliable, and of high quality. Industry standards serve as a mark of quality and consistency, enabling consumers to make informed decisions. When consumers see that a product adheres to established standards, they feel confident in its safety and efficacy. This, in turn, fosters brand loyalty and encourages repeat purchases.
Fostering Research and Innovation
By providing a common language and framework, these standards facilitate collaboration among businesses, researchers, and regulatory bodies. They enable the collection of reliable data, which can be used for comparison and analysis. This scientific and industry advancement is instrumental in driving innovation, promoting best practices, and pushing the boundaries of knowledge in the cannabis sector.
Driving Growth and Legitimacy
Standardization creates a level playing field for businesses, encouraging responsible practices and fair competition. It also attracts investment and partnerships from stakeholders
who value professionalism and compliance.
The Roadmap to Sustainable Growth
The cannabis industry's growth and potential can only be fully realized when standardization is prioritized. The implementation of a comprehensive Quality Management System is crucial to achieving these goals, enabling operators and regulators to navigate the industry with greater efficiency and confidence while consumers can expect reliable and safe products.
By partnering with forward-thinking technology providers, such as C15, cannabis operators can leverage standardized and automated methods to improve quality, consistency, and compliance (while lowering their operational costs!).
The cannabis industry is poised for a transformation that will elevate it to new heights -
book a demo with C15 today.
