ASTM International and the International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute (ICCI) have announced a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to create standards for the cannabis industry.
Under the agreement, the committee will coordinate standards development activities for the global cannabis and hemp industry. ICCI—based in the Czech Republic—will gain benefits such as recognition of its technical contributions and free temporary membership to its members. ASTM International previously signed similar agreements with the Foundation of Cannabis Unified Standards, the American Herbal Products Association, and the American Trade Association of Cannabis and Hemp.
“Many of our stakeholders—universities, companies, associations, governments, and others—are laying the foundation for the safe use and legal commerce of cannabis,” ICCI Chief Operation Officer Martin Masilko said.
“To meet the pressing need for cannabis standards, we are pleased to be coordinating our resources and efforts with Americans for Safe Access Patient Focused Certification program into one activity under ASTM International, one of the world’s top standards organizations,” Masilko said.
Stakeholders involved with the two organizations say they are prioritizing a cannabis cultivation standard, followed by standards related to cannabis cosmetics as well as food supplements and extracts. ICCI’s involvement will also strengthen the committee’s collaborative efforts in medicinal and laboratory-related standards.
Chairman of the cannabis committee, Ralph Paroli, said ICCI’s global expertise in this fast-growing industry is well known.
“ICCI’s engagement in this new committee will strengthen international standards development, identify gaps, prevent duplicative efforts, and more,” Paroli said.
The cannabis committee was formally organized two years ago and includes representation from businesses, laboratories, associations, and government. The committee will next meet on January 27-29 in Houston, Texas.