Quality of Cannabis products
Cannabidiol (CBD) and other Cannabis-based products are becoming more and more popular, not only for patients but also for well-being purposes. Cannabis products are used for patients’ treatment but are not subjected to the same regulation and quality standards as pharmaceutical and supplements industries.
Many low-quality Cannabis products, especially CBD products, are being sold all over the world, It’s important to use pharma-grade CBD products that were manufactured based on good manufacturing practices (GMP) as much as possible. Cannabis products are used for medical purposes, and as such, affect the human body in many different ways.
Cannabis product sourcing
CBD safety, efficacy, and quality depend greatly on its source, where, when and how it was grown. Every strain has its own unique cultivation conditions. For example, Hemp can be grown outside and Cannabis will be usually grown in a greenhouse. Any deviation from the cannabis cultivation and post-harvest protocols will affect the final product’s safety and quality. Nowadays, Hemp or Cannabis can be grown organically, using organic fertilizers. Most farms will use cheaper and less healthy farming and production methods to try and boost their bottom line. They will typically use chemical fertilizers and pesticides that end up tarnishing the final product and may choose a location with contaminated soil which is full of toxins and heavy metals.
Cannabis oils extraction quality
Cannabinoids should be extracted from Hemp or Cannabis flowers by several different techniques (read more on Extraction Technology for Pharmaceutical Cannabis). The safest technology is supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) or solvents such as Ethanol. There are other techniques using organic solvents with high toxicity too.
Petroleum-based extraction is very inexpensive, but it’s also dangerous for both the consumer and the manufacturer. It can leave behind toxic solvents such as Propane, Hexane, Pentane, and Butane. Typically, each solvent-based extraction method will follow the purification stage that reduces the solvents’ concentration. Cannabis oil made with toxic solvents may be very counterproductive for a product that’s supposed to be medicinal.
All products manufactured by solvent extraction methods should be tested for residual solvents.
Microbial contamination
CBD products microbial content and the type of microorganism is an important factor for product safety and patients’ side effects. Although Cannabis products don’t need to be sterile, unless being injected, they have to meet required microbial levels. Pathogenic microorganisms should not be detected in the final product and the total bio-burden should be limited. Products containing uncontrolled microbial levels may lead to severe infection, especially in patients whose medical condition include immune deficiency. Microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, and molds in high quantities, can release dangerous toxins into the human body.
Cannabis products quality control certified labs
Cannabis growers, as well as product manufacturers, should use in-house or external laboratory services in order to test and release their products, Cannabis products should be tested for safety, quality, cannabinoid content, terpene content, toxins, pesticides, heavy metals, solvents, mold, microorganisms. Moreover, Cannabis product labeling should meet pharma-regulations and include all relevant data including batch number and approved expiration date (read more on Cannabis Analytical and Quality Control Testing article).
Other ingredients
Many products are composed of different Cannabinoids (and terpenes) such as CBD, CBG, CBL, CBN, THC, CBC but other inactive materials may be used also. All materials should be food and pharma grade. Patients should be aware of which chemical additives, preservatives, colorants, taste masking, emulsifiers, etc. the product contain. One area of concern lately has been with vape oils due to the usage of propylene glycol in the formulation.
About Cannabis GxP consultancy
Cannabis GXP is proud to stand at the forefront of the Cannabis industry in Israel and worldwide thanks to many years of experience in these areas.
Our team is compelled to spread the message of the importance of cannabis science, regulation and standardization as the world enters a new era of cannabis legislation.
We aim to position our clients with their best foot forward when it comes to anything and everything cannabis related.
Our vast expertise allows us to assist companies in a wide range of services and needs: Anything from Cannabis R&D, growing and manufacturing, new products development, facility design, technology, Quality Assurance, Good Practices (GAP/GMP/GLP/GDP/GCP), staff training, local and global regulations.
Cannabis GxP is a subsidiary company of Bio-Chem Ltd. (2007), a consultancy firm for the Pharmaceutical field, medical devices, Cosmetics and food supplements industry based in Israel.
Our cannabis consultancy services include:
If you need one or several of our services, we will be more than happy to assist.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.