New USHA Adult Certification Standard, Open For Public Comment

Have your say in hemp policy’s future.  Click here to comment by August 23rd on the new USHA Adult Certification Program.

As we shared a few months ago, the U.S. Hemp Authority (USHA) – the hemp industry’s self-regulatory organization – announced plans to introduce an adult cannabinoid certification program, to complement its existing standard for non-intoxicating products.  Hemp products with the potential to impair – such as Delta 8- and Delta 9-THC – have proliferated with no federal regulation in recent years, leading to growing concerns about quality, safety and access by minors. 

This has led to an overreaction from some policymakers , with proposals such as the Mary Miller Amendment that would devastate the hemp industry, U.S. farmers, and small businesses that sell these products.

The hemp industry has advocated for a more reasonable approach – secure federal regulation to protect health and safety and ensure that products that potentially impair are kept out of the hands of children. Today, the industry is taking the next step in a new effort to assume more responsibility for these products in the continued absence of federal regulation.

USHA – the industry’s initiative to provide high standards, best practices and self-regulation – is proud to announce the development of a new adult cannabinoid certification program. For six years, USHA has provided consumers, retailers, policymakers and law enforcement confidence in non-intoxicating hemp and CBD products. Dozens of hemp companies have been awarded the USHA certification seal, assuring that their products meet the program’s rigorous, industry-refined standards and procedures, as confirmed through an independent review by a third-party auditing firm.

The current USHA certification standard for non-intoxicating products (access here) will provide the baseline requirements for USHA’s new Adult Use seal – ensuring that products use good manufacturing practices, truth in labeling, and other measures that the FDA requires for dietary supplements and food and beverages. The Adult Certification Program will require additional compliance points to promote safety and ensure that products with the potential of impairment are kept out of the hands of children.

The adult standards –  linked here – were developed by an expert Technical Committee and approved by the USHA Board of Directors.  Major thanks go out to USHA President Chris Fontes for his steadfast leadership, and to hemp super-lawyer Rod Kight for penning the final draft.

Now it’s your turn. Today launches a 30-day public comment period, during which we are asking hemp industry stakeholders – farmers, processors, manufacturers, brand owners, store proprietors – to weigh in with their thoughts, amendments, ideas, and suggestions.

Please review and send your public comment (or questions about the process) by Friday, August 23 to [email protected]. Please be sure to share your name, company or organization, and affiliation with the hemp industry.