Historic First for Legal Cannabis: International Standards Giant Passes First Ever Cannabis Standards
WASHINGTON, DC – In a major milestone for legal cannabis, two new voluntary consensus standards (published here and here) relating to the measuring and water activity ranges in cannabis have been passed by the global giant standards powerhouse American Society for Testing and Materials International (“ASTM International”) as part of a broader program with the American Trade Association of Cannabis & Hemp (“ATACH”) aimed at developing global, comprehensive cannabis-related best practices.
“The new standards are a major milestone for the marijuana industry because passage of voluntary consensus standards by an international standards body are derived through due process, openness and balance of interests and this allows any standard adopted to be referenced into law and regulation. In 1995, the U.S. Congress endorsed government agencies to adopt voluntary-consensus standards creating the pathway for consensus standards to be consulted for any federal law making and regulatory process. ATACH is facilitating this potentially groundbreaking work with ASTM International because as Congress contemplates federal action, more states adopt marijuana laws, and the Canadian market comes online, the industry needs to develop standards through a source that regulators around the world already know, trust, and utilize,” said Michael Bronstein, executive director for ATACH and executive committee member of ASTM International’s D37 Cannabis Committee.
The announcement comes today during ASTM’s bi-annual cannabis committee meeting in San Diego and is the by-product of a 2016 memorandum of understanding between the organization and the American Trade Association for Cannabis & Hemp (ATACH) to develop consensus standards for cannabis in the areas of testing, products, processes, education, and more. The current roster of ASTM’s D37 Cannabis Committee has ballooned to over 400 active members which include cannabis businesses, laboratories, associations, governments, regulators, and others.
About ATACH:
The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp is a 501(c)(6) trade organization registered in Washington D.C. promoting the expansion and protection of legal sales of marijuana for industrial, medical, and recreational use. In 2017, ATACH was named “Trade Association of the Year” by Campaigns & Elections magazine for its representation of the leading national industry players, its role in state level legalization campaigns, being the first-ever industry event held at a national presidential nominating convention, and its historic agreement with ASTM International to develop industry standards. ATACH promotes the protection and expansion of the cannabis industry by providing credible representation, resources, and initiatives on behalf of its members.
About ASTM:
ASTM International is a globally recognized leader in the development and delivery of voluntary consensus standards. Today, over 12,000 ASTM standards are used around the world to improve product quality, enhance health and safety, strengthen market access and trade, and build consumer confidence.
