The US Hemp Authority (USHA), the hemp industry’s initiative to provide high standards, best practices, and self-regulation for hemp and hemp products, is proud to announce the launch of the nation’s first Adult Hemp Product certification program.
As previewed here, USHA is expanding on its five-year program certificating non-intoxicating hemp and CBD products with a new program to provide self-regulation on the most rapidly growing segment of the hemp industry: adult products such delta-9-THC and delta-8-THC. With no federal regulations on the books, and no consistent national oversight to ensure quality control, transparent labeling and meaningful age restrictions, USHA is stepping up to give consumers and retailers confidence about product safety and give policymakers assurances that the industry is taking responsibility and holding itself to the highest standards. The USHA adult certification will for the first time allow consumers and policymakers to distinguish between quality manufacturers and the bad actors in the industry.
After announcing this new program and soliciting significant public comment (summary here), the USHA Board has issued a new adult standard which can be reviewed here. This builds upon the manufacturing standards and practices required by USHA’s long-running program for non-intoxicating products.
A two-page summary of both programs is available here.
Chris Fontes, president of the U.S. Hemp Authority, shares his excitement on the launch of the program: “With great pride, today we launch the Adult Use Certification Program. Hemp products intended for adults have become prevalent, and with a lack of federal oversight, companies now have the opportunity to self-regulate, attain certification, and demonstrate to their customers, their points of distribution, and their competitors that they are acting in good faith and making quality products. We intend to ensure the hemp industry regulates itself to increase safety and stability, and to demonstrate to legislators and regulators that the industry is made primarily of good actors trying to bring quality products to consumers.”
We are also proud to announce the hiring of a new certifying body to provide independent, third-party auditing, ensuring the integrity of the program. Ceres Certifications International (CCI) has been in business since 2001 and has been conducting GFSI level audits since 2011. Additionally, we conduct non-GFSI inspection audits such as PrimusStandard, PFA, International Fresh Produce Harmonized Audit, OPMA, EuroCert, CONFICERT and US Hemp Authority.
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