30 Mar ​​The Revitalization of Hemp: A Regulatory Evolution

The current regulatory landscape

Cannabidiol’s (CBD) botanical origins can be sourced from both Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica.

However, hemp is legally defined as a Cannabis sativa plant containing no more than 0.3 percent Tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly referred to as THC or cannabis. THC is well known for its psychotropic side effects considered legal on a state-by-state basis for what is referred to as “medical” and “recreational” use.  Until the legalization of the 2018 Farm Bill, there was no distinction in the federal jurisdiction between cannabis and hemp, treating both as schedule 1 substances.

The 2018 Farm Bill established the US hemp policy, making hemp federally legal and distinct from its THC counterpart, cannabis.¹ Since the recent change in legislation, CBD has gained international interest from the public and a variety of industries such as pharmaceuticals, health and wellness, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals.

Paving the way for the future of hemp

As hemp legislation develops internationally, extraction of the hemp plant poses several challenges. A lack of pharmaceutical proficiency and industry-specific innovation when extracting CBD from hemp plant material can result in concentrating THC over the legal limit of 0.3% (w/w) or traces of solvents used in the process within the CBD hemp extract.

Simply put, this means that appropriate diligence and careful selection of your CBD extractor and contract manufacturer is of dire importance to remain safe and legal. As a GMP-compliant provider of CBD, Vantage Hemp Co. ensures the purification and THC remediation of all extracts and finished products produced. Vantage verifies all products for potency internally via HPLC equipment and trained lab technicians and further confirms via third-party lab results.

Darcie Moran, Vantage’s Quality Assurance Manager, quotes; “The only difference between hemp and cannabis is the concentration of THC that can only be determined by an analytical lab, therefore, a discrepancy in lab results could mean the difference of a successful CBD company or one that is illegal and may require a federal recall.

At Vantage, we provide a trusted and legal resource for CBD companies. Our regulatory department is knowledgeable and stays current with the ever-changing hemp/CBD standards for international and state requirements. Laura Eder, our Director of Regulatory Affairs & Quality Assurance, is a prominent regulatory figure in the CBD space as a former consultant for the ACI and a member of several associations including EIHA, DIA, and RAPS.

With Vantage, you not only get a quality product but reliability and repeatability for consistency to meet the growing market demands for CBD; and a partnership that will persevere through the ever-changing regulations.”

¹https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2018/12/14/the-farm-bill-hemp-and-cbd-explainer/

Darcie Moran

With pharmaceutical experience and an impressive decade-long career in the cannabis and hemp sector, Darcie is a well-rounded expert in ensuring top-notch quality standards. Her extensive knowledge spans seed to sale, cultivation, extraction, testing, quality assurance, compliance, and pharmaceutical practices. Darcie's diverse background allows her to bring a unique perspective to her role at Vantage. In addition to her expertise in quality management, Darcie has showcased her knowledge and skills in pharmaceutical audits and as a result, has positioned Vantage as a trusted and reliable partner for pharmaceutical and clinical study customers. Darcie also played a pivotal role in developing Vantage's Quality Management System (QMS) and has successfully scaled it to an electronic system. Through her innovative thinking and expertise, she has introduced enhancements like automation, streamlining the company’s processes. Darcie's contributions to the cannabis and hemp industry extend beyond her role at Vantage. As a member of the ASTM subcommittee for D37.02 Cannabis and Hemp Quality Management Systems, she actively shapes the future of quality standards in the industry. Her expertise and commitment to quality make her an invaluable asset to the committee and the industry as a whole.