Today, global standards organization ASTM International released a technical white paper titled “Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol and the Need to Develop Standards to Protect Safety of Consumers.” This free technical paper identifies the current landscape of hemp-based products that contain the psychotropic cannabinoid, delta-8-THC, which is derived from the non-psychotropic cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD). The United States Pharmacopeia (USP), working in tandem with ASTM International, also debuted a technical white paper on delta-8-THC.
Included in the ASTM white paper are detailed technical information on what delta-8-THC is, how it is made, the emergence of delta-8-THC in the hemp-based products marketplace, and the need for safety and performance standards.
“Products containing delta-8-THC are widely available to consumers despite the known and unknown risks to consumer health and safety,” says David Vaillencourt, CEO of GMP collective and ASTM International member. “The topic is much deeper than simply the presence of delta-8-THC. Rather it is about defining how to label products containing potentially intoxicating cannabinoids and identifying what safeguards need to be in place to minimize the risk of impurities that can further impact consumer health.”
Vaillencourt notes that these efforts are all being addressed through the development of consensus standards by ASTM’s cannabis committee (D37), which includes experts from industry, academia, government, and critical service organizations such as USP. Together they work to provide needed guidance, that when followed, increases consumer confidence by mitigating risk to consumer health.
The report also evaluates and provides insight on the:
- rise of synthetic cannabinoids in the marketplace,
- risk to public health,
- regulatory landscape, and
- state of the CBD industry.
Retailers, producers, and manufacturers of CBD products might find this report useful in understanding the risk of delta-8 THC in their business.
To access the technical white paper, click here.
The USP technical paper, It’s time to hold cannabinoid products to the highest standard: USP Cannabis Panel statement on Delta8-THC, also identifies the chemical process that creates delta-8-THC, identifies the unregulated market, and provides insights on how to regulate Delta-8-THC including labeling and testing requirements.
Representatives from ASTM and USP will provide a presentation on the two technical papers as part of ASTM’s upcoming 2nd Global Workshop on Advancing the Field of Cannabis through Standardization, to be held virtually, Dec. 14, 2021. Click here for more information or to register.
ASTM International and USP have worked closely together in the past on consumer safety in the cannabis industry, including on a proposed product quality standard.
To learn more about ASTM International’s efforts in the cannabis industry including committee activities, certification, testing, and more, visit www.astmcannabis.org
ASTM International is a not-for-profit nongovernmental organization that develops voluntary consensus standards and defers to appropriate government authorities to determine the legal and regulatory framework regarding the control and use of cannabis.
Media Inquiries: Dan Bergels, tel +1.610.832.9602; dbergels@astm.org
Release #11339
###