We Support Licensed Operations & Government Regulators With Regulatory Services That Utilize Unified Cannabis Standards From “Seed-To-Sale” & Custom-Build Compliant Industry Solutions.

Nonpartisan Cannabis Policy Assistance For Government Agencies Overseeing Cannabis & Cannabinoid Regulation

Our mission is to convene, educate, and support government jurisdictions responsible for implementing cannabis and cannabinoid policies and regulations. We do this by fostering collaboration and coordination to identify and share best practices that safeguard public health and consumer safety, promote equity, and create regulatory certainty.

We work with cannabis and hemp regulatory agencies, public health and safety agencies, environment & energy agencies, agricultural agencies, departments of transportation, and other governmental agencies engaged in aspects of cannabis and cannabinoid policy implementation.

If your office or agency regulates cannabis or cannabinoids, or aides in the implementation or enforcement of cannabis laws in your country, state, province, or territory, contact us to become a member or to collaborate.

Regulatory Compliance Infrastructure Support

Establish, Audit & Enforce SOPs That Meet Mandate Requirements...

We develop enforceable SOPs, perform audits, and provide compliance consulting so cannabis agencies can launch and scale regulatory programs with systems that align to enforcement, product, packaging, and licensing requirements from day one.

"Universities Curate Learning Experiences That Students Will Remember For Developing Critical Cannabis Skills..."

"Custom-Developed Employee Education & Training Plans That Support Award-Winning Cannabis License Applications..."

Compliance Education Course Development

Build Regulator-Focused Training That Aligns With Statutory Compliance...

We create regulator-aligned training that simplifies cannabis rules into compliant education programs—like Responsible Vendor Training (RVT)—designed to meet workforce, licensing, and statutory requirements for cannabis operations and enforcement teams.

Program Management Equity Consulting

Design, Administer & Evaluate Equity-Centered Cannabis Programs...

We support agencies in designing, launching, and managing compliant cannabis programs—with technical support and equity-focused strategy—through expert-led planning, scoring, and reporting that meet both policy goals and licensing benchmarks.

"Our Subject Matter Experts Are Versatile Professionals Experienced Within All Aspects Of Regulated Cannabis Markets..."

"eLearning Solutions That Ensure Regulatory Goals Are Met & Leave Lasting Value Instilled From ALL Stakeholders..."

Stakeholder Engagement Strategy Services

Facilitate Governmental Partnerships & Policy-Shaping Collaborations...

We help agencies build public trust and shape smarter cannabis policy by connecting regulators with lawmakers, advocacy groups, and industry stakeholders through briefings, hearings, and collaborations that influence real-world decisions.

Retail Cannabis

Develop detailed standards to guide the safe and productive operation of cannabis retail stores and medical cannabis dispensaries. The standard requires the retail or dispensary operation to demonstrate management responsibility, including facets of worker training, worker practices, cleaning and sanitation, and many more operational standards.

Cannabis Cultivation

Cannabis cultivation is one of the fastest growing agricultural sectors in the world today that also involves a combination of farming and science. Cultivation standards covers all aspects of cannabis cultivation, from production plan to harvest practices. The audit process includes detailed criteria in sixteen categories to guide cultivation operations.

Cannabis Extractions

Cannabis extraction produces a range of concentrated products such as hash oil, shatter and wax. Extraction can also isolate specific cannabis compounds for medicine and research. Extraction standards provide detailed guidance on critical processes such as product purity, safety and traceability. Ensuring a product that is consumer-trusted.

Infused Products

Cannabis-infused product standards detail a full range of food and sanitation criteria along with guidelines for manufacturing, storage, processing, product safety, hazard analysis, equipment, testing and other vital aspects. Edibles, salves, beverages and tinctures can be infused with cannabis compounds to produce a wide range of products.

Security Standards

This FOCUS standard draws on the expertise of law enforcement, security experts, dispensary operators and regulators to define the security guidelines for all aspects of a cannabis operation. It begins with risk assessment and includes requirements for alarm systems, video surveillance, transportation security, and background checks.

Laboratory Operation

Cannabis laboratory standards bring scientific, technical, government and industry experts together to define the rigid requirements for testing and laboratory management. Consumers, regulators, medical professionals and researchers can now access certified specifications to validate product safety, compliance and accuracy for a standardized product.

Packaging & Labeling

Cannabis packaging and labeling standards define the requirements using existing nutraceutical, dietary supplement, and over-the counter standards as a baseline and pharmaceutical specifications as necessary. The development committee adds industry knowledge and state-by-state requirements to the standard to assure consistent and understandable labels .

Environment Sustainability

Cannabis industry sustainability standards set guidelines for environmental concerns such as ecosystem management, water use, energy use, chemical elimination, carbon footprint reduction, recycling and waste management. Sustainability extends viability, employees, community and crisis planning and other factors that contribute to long-term success.

Unified Cannabis Industry Standards

By unifying cannabis industry standards demonstrates it demonstrates how committed we are to helping assure the industry the use of safe, quality production methods and a safe work environment. Our curriculum is developed based on current standards established by the World Health Organization (WHO) by adopting Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Using a formalized Body of Knowledge (BOK) refers to sources that’s not related to a single jurisdiction, allowing a truly international cannabis education covering standards developed through participation by representatives of all interested parties, transparent, consensus-based, and subject to appropriate due process mechanisms.

We offer a comprehensive, proactive approach to cannabis quality management through implementing cannabis-specific, detailed safety, process, design, and performance requirements based on existing international quality and safety guidelines in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, food safety, and agriculture.

Complicated Terminology Can Confuse Differences Between Standards, Regulations & Laws... Knowing What They Are & How They Interact Is Essential.
Our Subject Matter Experts (SME's) & Instructional Design Team Have Developed Curricula Implementing International Standards To Answer Unmet Training Needs In The Cannabis Industry That'll Protect Public Health, Consumer Safety & Safeguard Our Communities While Supporting Industry Growth.
Industry Standards
Workforce Development
Annual Compliance
If used consistently, set standards and proper guidelines ensure operational quality, team safety, and efficiency. Requirements vary per the legal jurisdiction.
Government Regulations
Workplace Compliance
Cannabis Standards
Details on how laws are enforced or carried out are referred to as rules or administrative laws. They carry the force of law – application is mandatory.
Jurisdictional Laws
Licensed Operations
Industry Frameworks
Statutes made by the government are enacted by a legislative body and signed by the ranking official. Operators must abide by these to be in compliance.

American Herbal Products Association

Founded in 1982, the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is the national trade association and voice of the herbal and natural products industries. AHPA is comprised of more than 350 member companies, consisting primarily of domestic and foreign companies doing business as growers, processors, manufacturers, and marketers of herbal products.

In 2010 AHPA established a Cannabis Committee to under take the task of developing of national recommendations to regulators that address sensible regulatory practices for hemp and cannabis products. It engages in legislative advocacy, educational initiatives, and quality control standards to foster the integrity and sustainability of herbal.

AHPA aims to foster responsible and sustainable trade of herbal products, ensuring consumers can access a diverse range of safe goods with informed choices. Their vision is to make high-quality herbal products easily accessible and widely utilized by consumers. AHPA strives to promote consumer safety and awareness in the herbal product market. Ultimately, they seek to enhance the availability and usage herbal goods.

What Does AHPA Do in the Cannabis Industry? Being the Oldest Non-Profit Organization Specializing in Herbal Industry Service, the Association Focuses on Legislative & Regulatory Advocacy, Research, and Public Education to Support the Integration of Products into the American Lifestyle While Maintaining High Ethical Standards & Environmental Stewardship.
AHPA’s Members Represent The Growers, Processors & Manufacturers Of Herbal & Botanical Products In The Cannabis Industry.
Cultivation & Processing
Establish good practices and learn the best cultivation and proper handling procedures for operations that are provided in post-harvest processing of cannabis.
Product Manufacturer
Federally recognized Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) for botanical and nutraceutical products ensure standards are maintained in manufacturing operations.
Cannabis Distribution
Distribution operations are the pivotal link connecting the cultivators, manufacturers, and dispensaries; specializing in detailed logistics, transportation, and compliance.
Laboratory Analysis
Labs test for a wide range of parameters such as cannabinoid profiles, terpene content, and the presence of contaminants such as impurities pesticides, and heavy metals.

American Herbal Pharmacopoeia

The mission of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia® (AHP) is to promote the responsible use of herbal medicines and ensure they are used with the highest possible degree of efficacy and safety. The primary way to accomplish this is through the development of standards of identity, purity, and analysis, as well as to review data regarding the efficacy and safety.

These works will be disseminated through a variety of AHP publications such as monographs, textbooks, and other educational materials; workshops and conferences; electronic media, and other avenues of distribution as are appropriate. AHP began developing monographs in 1994, and intends to produce 300 monographs on botanicals.

Once completed, these monographs, including many of the Ayurvedic, Chinese and Western herbs most frequently used in the United States, represent the most comprehensive and critically reviewed body of information on herbal medicines in the English language, and will serve as a primary reference for academicians and health providers.

What is the AHP? Established in 1995, the AHP is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote the responsible use of herbal products and medicines.
The AHP Produces Critically Reviewed Documents Called Monographs That Outline the Quality Control Criteria Needed for Ensuring the Identity, Purity & Quality of Botanical Raw Materials. Beyond Monographs, AHP Engages in Research, Education & Advocacy to Elevate Botanicals in Healthcare, Emphasizing Ethical Sustainability.
Cannabis Monograph
Purpose
The primary focus of all monographs is to provide testing standards that provide scientifically valid ways for ensuring the identity, purity, potency, and quality of botanical raw materials.
Analysis Methods
Standards
Every monograph contains a suite of identification and quality tests to meet standards, including botanical, macroscopic and microscopic, and chemical characterizations.
Therapeutic Compendium
Literature
The Therapeutic Compendium is a review available medical literature for Cannabis. It includes historic herbal medicine experience along with a review of modern literature.

ANSI/ANAB Cannabis Standards

The ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) is the largest multi-disciplinary accreditation body in the western hemisphere, with more than 2,500 organizations accredited in approximately 80 countries. ANSI has long-term effort to support safety, quality, and consumer health amid the continued growth of the cannabis industry.

As part of the new program, ANAB will assess and accredit certificate programs as conforming to the requirements of ASTM D8403-21, Standard Practice for Certificate Programs within the Cannabis and Hemp Industries, developed by ASTM International’s Subcommittee D37.06 on personnel training, assessment, credentialing.

ANAB staff were members of this committee and provided significant input on the design of the standard. They facilitate the issuance of trusted, scientific results by assessed and accredited conformity assessment bodies and confidence in the quality and safety of the products and services that they certify. This is our service to our customers and stakeholders.

The ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) Provides Accreditation & Training Services to the Certification Body, Validation & Verification Body, Inspection & Laboratory Related Communities.
ANAB Assesses & Then Accredits Organizations to International & Domestic Standards & Requirements. ANAB Has Signatory Status Across Arrangements of the International Accreditation Forum.
Certificate Accreditation
ASTM D8403-21
Certificate Programs
The new Cannabis Certificate Accreditation Program (C-CAP) assesses and recognizes training and education programs within the cannabis/hemp industries.
Testing Laboratory
ISO/IEC 17025
Analysis Standards
ANAB’s testing labs perform chemical, microbiological, and/or non-destructive cannabis analyses, and products fall under the Accreditation Program.
Personnel Certification
ISO/IEC 17024
Competency Frameworks
ANAB ISO / IEC 17024 is the premiere certification accreditation program globally. There 200+ certifications accredited by ANAB.

ASTM International Standards

ASTM International is an international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services. Over 12,000 ASTM standards operate globally. Combined with their innovative business services and certification offerings, they enhance performance and help boost confidence in products they buy and use.

ASTM standards promote focus on public health and safety, expand leadership position in the standards community, and broaden the international use of ASTM in the cannabis industry. This helps the cannabis industry attract and retain technical experts from around the world by a collaborative environment that meets industry needs.

Adopting ASTM standards ensures our curriculum will always be relevant to enhance the technical quality of standards and related content by providing a best-in-class, scalable development infrastructure. To create a truly international cannabis industry, we must understand global societal needs and service stakeholders through the integration of innovative education solutions.

The ASTM International Organization (Not-For-Profit & Non-Governmental) Develops Voluntary Consensus Standards & Defers To Appropriate Gov't Authorities To Determine Regulatory Framework Regarding The Control & Impact With The Cannabis Industry.
In a Short time, D37 has Emerged as the Global Leader in the Development of Cannabis & Hemp Standards & has Become the Trusted Industry Resource.
Cannabis Standards
Committee D37
Standards Development
From cultivators and consumers to labs and legislators, international standardization eliminates any confusion by defining what quality, safe, and compliant mean.
Proficiency Testing
CANNQ/HEMPQ
Hemp Flower (HFL)
ASTM’s robust range of testing solutions and certification programs helps laboratories, cultivators, producers, and more implement industry standards.
Cannabis Training
ASTM Standards
Competency Frameworks
To ensure compliance, quality, and proper safety, stakeholders should be trained and certified on established best practices and standard operating procedures.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent, non-governmental international organization that brings global experts together to agree on the best ways of doing things. From quality management in the cannabis industry to Artificial Intelligence (AI), their mission is to make lives easier, safer and better – for everyone, everywhere. Standards define what great looks like, setting benchmarks for businesses.

Standards are the distilled wisdom of people with expertise in their subject matter and who know the needs of the organizations they represent – people such as manufacturers, sellers, buyers, customers, trade associations, users, or regulators. International standards ensure that the products and services you use daily are safe, reliable, and of high quality.

Implementing cannabis industry standards guides businesses in adopting sustainable and ethical practices, helping to create a future where your purchases not only perform excellently but also safeguard our planet. In essence, standards seamlessly blend quality with conscience, enhancing your everyday experiences and choices.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Is an Independent, Non-Governmental International Organization With a Membership of 170 National Standards Bodies. It Brings Together Experts to Share Knowledge & Develop Voluntary, Consensus-Based, Market Relevant International Standards That Support Innovation & Provide Solutions to Global Challenges & Bring Experts Together.​
Quality Management
ISO/IEC 9001:2015
ISO Certification
ISO / IEC 9001 is a global standard that outlines operations. Adhering to it can improve business performance and the satisfaction of the customer.
Testing Laboratory
ISO/IEC 17025:2017
Consumer Safety
Requirements for accreditation to laboratories that do analytical testing on cannabis. Testing products verifies that they are safe for consumption.
ISO Standards
International Organization
Competency Frameworks
Standards are the distilled wisdom of people with expertise in their subject matter - people such as manufacturers, sellers, users or regulators.

Good Manufacturing Practices

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is the aspect of quality assurance that ensures that medicinal products are consistently produced and controlled to the quality standards appropriate to their intended use and as required by the product specification. The World Health Assembly accepted the first version of the Certification Scheme on the quality of pharmaceutical products.

GMP defines quality measures for both production and quality control and defines general measures to ensure that processes necessary for production and testing are clearly defined, validated, reviewed, and documented and that the personnel, premises, and materials are suitable for the production of pharmaceuticals and biologicals including vaccines.

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) are, in most cases, interchangeable. GMP meaning the basic regulation promulgated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensure that manufacturers are taking proactive steps to guarantee their products are safe and effective. cGMP, on the other hand, was implemented by the FDA to ensure continuous improvement in the approach of manufacturers to product quality. 

The GMP Unified Standards for the Cannabis Industry Aim to Elevate Product Quality & Safety by Establishing Comprehensive Guidelines That Span Across All Key Facets of the Industry, Including Cultivation, Extraction, & Retail. These Standards Are Crafted to Be Proactive, Focusing on Quality Management Throughout the Production Process, Rather Than Solely Relying on Post-Production Testing. This Approach Not Only Enhances Consumer Safety but Also Promotes Operational Efficiency & Product Consistency Within the Cannabis Sector.
Quality Team
Quality Assurance
Quality Team
Members will perform quality assessments on operations to identify problems & develop appropriate corrective measures.
Process Validation
Good Manufacturing Practice
Process Validation
Validation is the documented act of demonstrating instruments, processes, and activities that are regularly used or done.
Surprise Audits
Quality Control
Surprise Audits
A surprise audit every now & then can help gain a more accurate insight into what goes on in the facility to identify real root causes of non-compliance & take action before it progresses into a larger issue.
Compliance Training
Risk Management
Compliance Training
Providing compliance training to staff is the best way to ensure compliance with GMP standards to gain a better understanding of GMP & continually improve operations.

Good Laboratory Practices

Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) is a quality system of management controls for research laboratories and organizations to ensure the uniformity, consistency, reliability, reproducibility, quality, and integrity of products in development for human or animal health (including pharmaceuticals) through non-clinical safety tests; from physio-chemical properties.

Good Laboratory Practices are put in place to protect the quality of laboratory data. In any pharmaceutical lab, Good Laboratory Practice is based on written documentation of the work being done. These are Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). SOPs detail the different practices to follow for the purpose of cannabis quality assurance standards. 

The main goal is to promote consistency across all practices in a laboratory setting. SOPs should cover the purpose of a procedure, the responsible personnel, and the step-by-step actions that need to be taken. With clear guidelines, labs can ensure transparency and accountability in the event of any production errors. It is essential that quality is not sacrificed at any production stage.

Good Laboratory Practices Form the Bedrock Upon Which High-Quality, Reliable & Reproducible Laboratory Work Is Built. By Adhering to These Principles, Laboratories Can Assure Stakeholders of the Integrity & Reliability of Their Data, Thus Contributing to the Advancement of Scientific Knowledge & the Development of Safe & Effective Products & Technologies. Enhanceing the Credibility of Research.
Quality Control
ISO/IEC 17025
Quality Control
Serves as one of the most critical functions in consumer product manufacturing as a laboratory has the final say on product release based on adherence to established specifications.
Standard Operating Procedures
ISO/IEC 17025
Standard Operating Procedures
Are stand-alone sets of step-by-step instructions which allow workers to consistently carry out routine operations & documented training confirms an employee’s comprehension of their job tasks.
ISO Standards
ISO/IEC 17025
Test Method Transfer
Common practices using purchase equipment from vendors that provide “validated” test methods, so there is no formal verification by the laboratory itself to demonstrate the method validated by the vendor.

Good Agriculture & Collection Practices

Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) guidelines were developed to create a single supranational framework to ensure appropriate and consistent quality in the cultivation and production of medicinal plants and herbal substances. They were developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) with the aim of improving the quality of medicinal plants being used in herbal medicines in the commercial market.

The GACP guidelines provide a basis for homogenized national or regional standards for the cultivation and collection of medicinal plants and should therefore be viewed as an effective “working tool” whose benefits are to reduce waste, ensure the quality of raw material, and gain market credibility.

Production and primary processing of medicinal plants and herbal substances have a direct influence on the final quality of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) produced and such production and primary processing actions can constitute the first step in the quality assurance process, which is central to compliance with the GACP guidelines.

What does the USDA do? Serves as a Blueprint for Entities of All Sizes Within the Industry, By Utilizing These Guidelines & Assessment Tools, the Industry Can Assure the Integrity of Herbal Materials Used in Consumer Products.
This Includes Ensuring Accurate Identification, the Absence of Harmful Contaminants, & Compliance With Quality Standards. These Practices Directly Impact the Quality of the Product.
Botanical Identity
GACP-GMP Guidance
Botanical Identity
Botanical identity & quality must be assured throughout the growing, harvesting, post-harvest handling & further processing of botanical materials.
Wild Collection
GACP-GMP Guidance
Wild Collection
Many botanicals in trade are collected in the wild rather than cultivated that involves the choice of collection location to the techniques used to find new cannabis genetics.
Agriculture Standards
GACP-GMP Guidance
Agriculture Standards
Operations that grow and/or harvest crops that are food-based includes wild collection operations to ensure the quality and freedom from contamination of produce.
Accreditations & Authorizations

Our “Claim-to-Fame” Is Being The Most Accredited (or Authorized) Training Provider In The Industry To ENSURE What We Do Actually Meets Those Never-Ending Regulator Requirements.

Do NOT Grow Another Plant Until You've Enrolled Into This! 💯
Cannabis Horticulture
A Carefully Curated Cultivation "Crash Course" On Everything You Need To Crank Out High-Yielding, "Cannabis-Cup Winner" Flowers That'll Generate HUGE Crops All-Year Long
Crafting Cannabis-Infused Edibles Takes MORE Than Ingredients... 🍽️
Edible Cannabis Products (100% FREE Training)
Enthusiasts Face Challenges Navigating An Ever-Expanding Array Of Cannabis Products & Delivery Methods From "Raw Flower" Smoothies To Infused-Edibles, Cannabinoid-Based Drinks + MORE.