by Bethany Moore, Director of Content Strategy and Market Growth, and David Vaillencourt, CEO and Founder at The GMP Collective
[Excerpt from Cannabis Science and Technology]
ASTM Standards D8557-24 and D8556-24, provide unified guidelines for GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and QMS (Quality Management Systems) in cannabis operations. These standards enhance compliance, product safety, and operational consistency across the industry for the benefit of operators, consumers, and other stakeholders in the industry.
The cannabis and hemp industry is ever-evolving, and staying compliant while ensuring product quality and safety is a top priority. For operators building toward long-term success, ASTM Standards bring much-needed clarity and consistency to the industry.
One of the most significant challenges facing cannabis operators seeking Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification is the absence of a clear, unified standard. The federal regulations currently offer three GMP classifications: Food, Pharmaceutical, and Dietary Supplements. However, due to the federal illegality of cannabis, none of these classifications are directly applicable to cannabis operations. This gap has led to a fragmented landscape of self-defined GMP schemes, causing confusion and inconsistency across the industry. ASTM is providing industry-specific solutions where the current lack of federal regulations have created gaps. This includes a solution, a cannabinoid GMP, that is agnostic to product type.
Read full article on the Cannabis Science and Technology website
