We Transform Public Agencies With Cannabis Program Development, Implementation, Ongoing Management & Evaluation

We Support Gov't Regulators With Protecting Public Health, Consumer Safety & Safeguard The Environment By Promoting Integrity In The Cannabis Industry

Made For: Cannabis Control Boards Department of Agriculture Cannabis Industry Regulators Public Health Departments Cannabis Licensing Authorities State Board of Pharmacy Local Municipal Governments Federal Department of Revenue Environmental Protection Agencies Safety & Health Administrations National Drug Abuse Programs International Standards

We Provides Training Audits, Research, Communication & Planning Support For Agency Staff, Regulators, Legislators + Non-Governmental Groups

We partner with government agencies to develop, implement, and manage cannabis safety and quality programs at the federal, state, county, and local levels. Program options range from statewide management of cannabis safety and quality programs or certification programs to specialized workshops, custom research, and third-party inspections. Our solutions include systems, processes, and people to ensure stable, compliant cannabis programs.

Standards enhance license application processes, add value to agency audits, investigations, and corrective action management, build staff skills and knowledge, and keep staff current on regulatory changes. Green CulturED designs processes to help manage cannabis requirements and build credibility for agency programs. We provide training programs to support standards implementation and stakeholder commitment that are standardized programs and/or will create custom curricula to meet programmatic requirements.

Government Regulators

Gov't Regulators Required Cannabis Safety, Quality, Regulatory & Operations Knowledge That'll Ensure Compliance

Public Agency Support

1. Legislative Bodies Pass Cannabis Laws 2. Regulations Develop By Gov't Agencies 3. Gov't Agencies Create Industry Standards

Complicated Terminology Often Confuse Differences Between Laws, Regulations & Industry Standards Play Critical Roles Within Regulated Cannabis Programs.

Cannabis Legislation

The system of rules or statutes made by the government of a country, state, city. Statutes are enacted by legislative body, then signed by the ranking official (President/Governor). Everyone must follow them to be legal.

Government Regulations

Detailed instructions on how laws are to be enforced or carried out and are sometimes referred to as “rules” or “administrative laws.” They carry the force of law – their application is mandatory.

Industry Standards

Standards make things work by providing specifications (guidelines or requirements) for products, services and systems. If used consistently, they ensure quality, safety and efficiency.

Program Management

Systems, Processes & Expertise That'll Ensure Compliance

FOCUS partners with government agencies to develop, implement, and manage cannabis safety and quality programs at the federal, state, county, and local levels. Program options range from statewide management of cannabis safety and quality programs or certification programs to specialized workshops, custom research, and third-party inspections.

FOCUS certification requirements are based on Current World Health Organization Good Manufacturing Practices, Good Agricultural Practices, Good Laboratory Practices, and FDA, OSHA, FTC, Code of Federal Regulations, global cannabis regulations, and supporting regulatory documents.

Regulated Cannabis Program Management Ensure Regulatory Goals Are Met & Leave Lasting Value Instilled With Stakeholders
Our Subject Matter Experts Are Versatile Professionals Experienced Within All Aspects Of Regulated Cannabis Markets

Process Design

Government Regulatory Staff Industry Certification

Standards enhance license application processes, add value to agency audits, investigations, and corrective action management, build staff skills and knowledge, and keep staff current on regulatory changes. FOCUS designs processes to help manage cannabis requirements and build credibility for agency programs.

Auditor training and certification give auditors or contractors the required cannabis safety, quality, regulatory, and operations knowledge to conduct effective onsite audits. Our process supports all phases of the audit process including pre-reviews, licensing audits, annual renewal audits, for-cause audits, and corrective action management.

Standards Licensing

Certified standards improve the quality and safety of products and services, and licensing the FOCUS standards demonstrates a commitment to a safe, quality cannabis program. Licensing includes management training, technology systems tools, auditor certification, process implementation, and ongoing support.

Certified auditors work with your team to develop and conduct an intensive assessment of all risks to your agency, organization, or public constituents. The outcome provides valuable information and direction for planning, response, and prevention.

We bring immediate value to any project and will customize a work plan that meets your objectives.
We Provides Staff Training Programs That Support Regulatory Standards Implementation & Stakeholder Commitment

Training Programs

Deliver Standardized Training and/or Custom-Develop Programs

In this emerging industry, groups constantly need information, education, planning, and networking to meet increasing legislative, regulatory, and public demand. Our dynamic facilitators design and facilitate seminars, workshops, and other events to meet organization goals and leave lasting value with stakeholders.

The FOCUS team includes a range of versatile professionals experienced in all aspects of the cannabis business including management, regulatory, cultivation, production operations, laboratory and testing, product management, packaging and labeling, worker safety, security, and sustainability. We bring immediate value to any project and will customize a work plan that meets your objectives.

Today’s Cannabis Experts Must Be More Adaptive Than Ever Before...

Date: March 28, 2024
From the desk of Evan Erickson

Cannabis Industry Standards Clarification

The goal in writing this article is to offer informed insight, education, and perspective to the cannabis industry and beyond so each person can make their own decision on the implications. To do this, it is critical to possess a basic understanding of the types of standards being developed, the procedures required for establishing each type of standard, as well as who is involved in the development of the standards.

What are voluntary consensus standards?

Voluntary consensus refers to the process of people who develop a standard. They are the standards most people are familiar with because they are regularly used as the basis of, or cited in, regulations around the world. Organizations like ISO, ANSI, British Standards Institute, Standards Council of Canada, and ASTM International all develop voluntary consensus standards. According to definitions within federal laws, voluntary consensus standards are standards developed by voluntary consensus standards bodies.

What is a voluntary consensus standards body?

Voluntary consensus standards bodies are domestic or international organizations that plan, develop, establish, or coordinate voluntary consensus standards using agreed-upon procedures on how standards are developed, who develops them, and who can use them. A voluntary consensus standards body is defined by the following attributes:

(i) Openness: All stakeholders are invited and encouraged to attend

(ii) Balance of interest: A neutral forum – no one stakeholder group dominates

(iii) Due process: Follow a consensus-based process

(vi) An appeals process: Handled by both the public and private sector

(v) Consensus: Every person has equal say – one vote per interest group

What is the importance of voluntary consensus standards? Voluntary consensus standards are critically important as there are federal laws in place that mandate all federal agencies use technical standards developed by voluntary consensus standards bodies, as opposed to government-unique standards. This requirement was established as Public Law 104-113, as cited in the National Technology and Transfer Act of 1995 and related OMB Circular A-119.

Who is FOCUS?

Foundation of Cannabis Unified Standards (FOCUS), was established in 2014 as a 501c3 not-for-profit Cannabis Health and Safety Organization in an effort to protect public health, and consumer safety, and safeguard the environment. FOCUS is not a cannabis company, an industry trade association, or an advocacy organization. FOCUS is an unbiased, third party with no financial stake in – or funding from – the cannabis industry. FOCUS does not advocate on behalf of or push cannabis policy. FOCUS exists to help ensure that the rapidly growing global cannabis industry has the necessary protections in place for the health, safety, success, and welfare of everyone. FOCUS is a voluntary consensus standards body that develops voluntary consensus standards following all agreed-upon procedures as other global voluntary consensus standards bodies.

Who is ASTM International?

Organized in 1898, ASTM International is one of the world’s largest international standards-developing organizations. ASTM is driven by the expertise and commitment of its 30,000 members, who hail from more than 140 countries. They use good science, good engineering, and good judgment to improve performance in manufacturing and materials, products and processes, systems and services. Businesses, governments, and individuals collaborate openly and transparently on technical committees, ensuring our standards combine market relevance with the highest technical quality. ASTM standards are used and accepted worldwide and cover areas such as metals, paints, plastics, textiles, petroleum, construction, energy, the environment, consumer products, medical services, devices and electronics, advanced materials, and much more.

What is the relationship between FOCUS and ASTM?

In 2016, after multiple requests from outside parties, ASTM convened a committee to decide whether or not to become involved in developing standards for cannabis. FOCUS was asked to participate. After the determination to move forward was made, FOCUS chose to share our standards for use as the foundation for the further development of globally harmonized cannabis standards by the ASTM D37 Cannabis Committee.

Through a derivative works licensing agreement, FOCUS shared our comprehensive, cannabis-specific, standards on cultivation, extraction, infused products, retail, laboratory, security, sustainability, and packaging and labeling to ASTM. FOCUS standards are based upon World Health Organization guidelines for GMP, GAP, GPP, and GDP, as well as the US Code of Federal Regulations for pharmaceuticals, and dietary supplements. Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Food Safety Modernization Act (FISMA), as well as the most stringent global cannabis regulations.

FOCUS views this collaboration as something terrific that helps further the FOCUS Mission of protecting public health, safety, and the environment while bringing much-needed legitimacy to the industry. ASTM’s depth and international scope allowed FOCUS the opportunity to have a much broader effect on helping others in a shorter timeframe. Ultimately, making the FOCUS vision of a safe, legal, and sustainable global cannabis industry that much closer to becoming a reality.

The FOCUS/ASTM alignment moves the global cannabis industry as a whole forward by leaps and bounds by decreasing confusion and increasing global harmonization through the development of one set of international cannabis standards that are available for use by everyone.

Who is NACB?

According to the National Association of Cannabis Businesses (NACB) website, “NACB was established in 2017 as the first and only self-regulatory organization (SRO) for U.S. cannabis, dedicated to helping its members achieve success in an ever-changing regulatory landscape by promoting compliance, transparency, record-keeping, and responsible business practices”.

Last week, NACB issued a press release announcing the completion of the development of a packaging and labeling standard that has left many inside the cannabis industry confused.

What is a Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO)?

Collins Dictionary defines self-regulatory as an organization, or system of an organization, controlled by the people involved in them, rather than by outside organizations or rules.

Oxford Dictionary defines self-regulatory as an organization regulating itself without intervention from external bodies.

What type of standards are developed by NACB?

Complicated terminology and language in the standards world make understanding the differences between types of standards and the organizations developing standards difficult to understand. While NACB refers to its standard as voluntary, by definition of how the NACB standard was developed, who developed it, and who can use it, it is in fact, a consortia standard.

What are consortia standards?

The American National Standards Institute shares the following on Consortia Standards. Consortia standards are developed by companies who agree to work together to solve a specific market need. Consortia documents may offer a solution to a problem, but participation in standards-setting is limited to members of the consortia. Membership often requires a substantial financial contribution.

We believe it is important to note that other respectable organizations within the cannabis industry, such as the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), American Trade Association of Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH), and Americans for Safe Access (ASA) have also generously materials in an effort to assist ASTM on the development of a single, globally harmonized, set of cannabis standards available for use by everyone.