Regulations and Regulatory Issues

On October 25th, 2023, the GMP Collective presented the latest installment in their webinar series, When Things Go Wrong.

As the legal recreational cannabis industry expands, regulators and safety watchdogs are taking a closer look at how the industry polices itself.

One laboratory’s concerns lead to a closer look at Montana’s still-developing cannabis program.

Aspergillus is a genus of mold that is commonly found in the environment, including soil, plants, and decaying organic debris. In fact, there are several hundred species of Aspergillus! Aspergillus species produce aflatoxins, which are a family of mycotoxins produced by certain fungi. These aflatoxins are known as cancer-causing substances and pose a dangerous threat to humans and livestock. Although this type of mold is commonly grown underground, the release of its spores into the air is the route of the problem in terms of contaminated product. Given there are many species of Aspergillus that are not harmful, a select few can cause life threatening issues. We aim to cover short Aspergillus topics in hopes to educate and clarify conversations surrounding this fascinating fungus. As cannabis products become increasingly popular for both medical and recreational purposes, understanding the potential health issues associated with Aspergillus contamination is crucial.

See the program overview for the upcoming Cannabis Science Conference Fall in Providence, Rhode Island September 20-22nd.

Read coverage from our sister publication, Nutritional Outlook, on “The Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act,” which was previously proposed in 2021.

New testing requirements for the Aspergillus fungus are harming cannabis companies, the lawsuit claims.

Selecting a co-manufacturer for product manufacturing can be a tough decision. Using a co-manufacturer is an interesting combination: it is your brand and reputation, yet another company makes the product. Because quality and product safety is out of your control, companies must select their co-manufacturer wisely. If you choose the wrong manufacturer and something goes wrong, it is your brand that will be affected negatively. The worst things to happen to a brand are making a consumer sick, going through a recall, or losing reputation due to poor quality assurance. Below are a few steps to help companies confidently select a co-manufacturer.

With federal legalization still hanging in the balance, cannabis is being legalized state-by-state. Each new setting that accepts cannabis forms their own rules and regulations which are not uniformed and could pose a danger. This has led to the phenomenon called “lab shopping”.

Third party certifications have become increasingly popular amongst cannabis and fungi cultivators and manufacturing companies. Receiving and maintaining certifications is a worthwhile endeavor that will set up your business for long term success, give you a competitive edge, and ensure a safe product for customers. Whether you’re seeking organic, current good manufacturing practices (cGMP), good agricultural and collection practices (GACP), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and other certifications, you will be tasked with deciding which certifying body to work with.

Regulators voted to cancel the previous years-old plan for cannabis consumption sites in favor of a new, faster approach.

After the most recent cannabis legalization bill failed to pass the Senate, Governor Sununu issued a statement explaining how legalization could occur instead.

The cannabidiol (CBD) market reached a saturation level in recent years with products popping up around every corner—from the local gas station to the neighborhood market and more. How can consumers know which of those products are safe and reliably labeled? It is an unfortunate fact that there are bad products on the market, some that have no CBD at all despite label claims. Despite these bad actors, many companies are striving to do better and even set higher standards for the industry. For instance, Vantage Hemp Co. has made it their mission to go beyond current state requirements and produce pharmaceutical-grade CBD. Here, Deepank Utkhede, Chief Operating Officer at Vantage Hemp Co., discusses his role with the company and their goals to elevate this market to create a safe place for consumers and manufacturers.

Consumers want options, especially when purchasing products, and organic seems to be a popular selection. It makes sense really: people eat all organic foods, why wouldn’t you want your cannabis to be organic too? Organic items are widely available and can be purchased at any grocery store, farmers market, and online. Most people associate “organic” with healthy foods that were grown using safe and sustainable agricultural methods and fewer chemicals. Organic certified products are typically pricier compared to conventionally grown crops—this can be attributed to the cost of the organic certification from an accredited third party, required use of costly organic approved chemicals, special handling practices, potential lower yield, lack of government subsidies, and so on. With organic products being sold at a higher price than conventional products and with the high consumer demand for organic products, does this combination open the door to fraud?

The agent claimed he frequently used CBD for pain management, which contributed to the levels of THC found in a urinalysis.

Within the next few weeks, France will become the latest country to ban the substance hexahydrocannabinol (HHC).

A test of a small sample of products sold in the Twin Cities revealed amounts of THC past the legal limit.

Heading to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s desk, is a newly approved cannabis regulatory legislation, specifically for hemp-derived cannabinoids.

The cannabis industry has experienced rapid growth over the past few years with the legalization of both medical and recreational cannabis use in numerous countries and states in the US. As the industry expands, the need for effective packaging and proper labeling has become increasingly important to ensure consumer safety, brand recognition, and compliance with regulations. Let’s explore the significance of packaging and labeling in the cannabis industry and discuss the key considerations for businesses operating in this space.

Workplace safety procedures help companies be the best they can be, especially when it comes to ensuring your staff goes home the same way they arrived. These are just a few ways to begin your safety journey!

In late March, the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America submitted a letter to congressional leadership expressing its support for cannabis legalization that uses regulatory frameworks similar to those of the alcohol industry.

This tutorial article outlines the key considerations that must be put in place when setting up a cannabis extraction facility.

This blog is in response to the January 26th, 2023 announcement from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in regards to regulatory oversight in the cannabidiol (CBD) market.

This article addresses the US Department of Agriculture’s hemp testing rules and what laboratories should know regarding hemp testing. The author provides a short tutorial for laboratories and includes a section how laboratory information management systems (LIMS) can help.

Currently in the life cycle of the cannabis industry, it is not obvious where the heavy metal regulatory landscape will end up. Clearly, the big four are not enough, but what is a realistic panel that reflects the real world of cannabinoid production?

Experts within the global cannabis and hemp industries discuss the importance of testing and regulations and sustainable measures that can reduce the sector’s environmental impact.

Creating a “culture of compliance” is a buzz phrase that you have probably heard before when speaking to regulators, lawmakers, auditors, and compliance consultants. At Allay Consulting, we have worked with a multitude of companies, and we have found that creating a compliance culture alone is not enough to keep your employees happy enough to follow all compliances. I would argue that creating a “culture of excellence” that includes compliance is the best way we have seen to mitigate risk and decrease revenue lost due to employee turnover and lack of employee engagement. This article is meant to encourage our industry to create a culture of excellence at the workplace. I hope our tips and hands-on experience shed light into creating the culture you want at your workplace.

The beginning of 2023 will be a huge step to the US’s legalized psilocybin industry! Oregon Psilocybin Services (OPS), a new section housed within the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), will begin accepting license applications January 2, 2023. Oregon’s legalization and implementation of regulations will take three years altogether—several years may seem too long for the legalized psilocybin roll out, but better late than never. This should give the department plenty of time to draft, edit, edit some more, then implement the nation’s first regulatory framework for psilocybin.

Psychedelics, also known as entheogens. Everyone has an opinion. From the superb kaleidoscope shapes, or making that concert even more memorable, or to digging a bit deeper within yourself for self-healing—entheogens can be a game changer. For some, these experiences are life changing, especially if it means improving well-being and life satisfaction. Thanks to many published clinical trials, the benefits of using entheogens such as psilocybin include reducing anxiety and depression, successful addiction interruption, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment, and many others. With increased awareness of the benefits of psilocybin and other entheogens, we are observing an acceptance of entheogens followed by decriminalization and future legalization.

Cannabis testing laboratories play an important role in ensuring consumer safety and quality throughout the industry. These laboratories face many challenges—from the variety of samples in the industry to changing regulations and testing requirements and everything in between. In this interview, Sarah Ahrens, Founder and CEO of True Labs for Cannabis LLC, explains her philosophy and approach behind building her cannabis analytical testing laboratory in New Jersey. She also covers current developments in the cannabis testing industry and what needs to be done to ensure it has a transparent and productive future that benefits producers and consumers alike.