ABCs of GMP: why it's important to source CBD from certified labs

No matter what line of work you are in, it's likely that you're inundated on a daily basis by abbreviations for proper names, titles, or designations...DVT, SEO, PHD, CPO, SARS--the list goes on and on. And some of these very short strings of letters carry big importance, especially when it comes to CBD (cannabidiol) extraction and product formulation. More and more, people are turning to this often-time abbreviated product to find relief from many ailments such as anxiety, seizures, inflammation, or pain reduction. In fact, "the cannabidiol market size surpassed USD 7.1 billion in 2020 and is estimated to grow at over a 35% compounded annual growth rate between 2021 and 2027, with a projected global market value of $108.8 BN in 2027." *

 

 

And this potential boom means that there is no shortage of fly-by-night companies that are attempting to capitalize on this growth trend by releasing product lines featuring both topical and ingestible CBD products. 

So as a consumer, how are you to know that what you are putting in and on your body is safe? In a fairly unregulated field (which will likely remain so until the FDA steps up and finally begins oversight), there is one highly important abbreviated certification that only the best labs or manufacturers obtain: cGMP certification.

 

What is GMP?

cGMP stands for (current) Good Manufacturing Practices, which are a set of highly regarded and accepted regulations and standards put in place by the FDA to ensure companies are following guidelines and rules during production to guarantee a high quality, high purity, and highly effective final product. It is important to note that the terms cGMP and GMP are often used interchangeably to indicate the same certification (the c is not capitalized and is sometimes left off because the standards are rapidly and constantly changing and evolving). Since the FDA does not have a specific set of standards in place for CBD companies just yet, we adhere to the same ones as the leading manufacturers of foods and beverages, supplements, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, pet treats/food, and cosmetics. These guidelines outline best practices, regulations, and rules that begin with the acquisition of the raw materials and encompass sanitation, employee training, safety protocols and standards, and third-party lab testing and Certificates of Analysis (among many other steps). The process involves meticulous record keeping and documentation of each and every aspect of production, and is often times executed by a production manager or operations director.

By following all of these guidelines and applying to be inspected and subsequently GMP certified, these businesses are taking the extra steps to prove that their products-which you are ingesting or applying to your body- are safe, effective, and contain exactly what they say they do. In a widely unregulated industry with many gray areas, it is important to only patronize companies who exhibit transparency when it comes to exactly what they are putting in their products. Whether you are buying bulk concentrates to formulate your own line or launch your own brand or buying retail to consume yourself, it is extremely important to source your CBD from a GMP-certified facility, which are considered the gold standard when it comes to quality and safety. 

Kancanna = GMP licensed

In 2020, Kancanna began the rigorous preparation and research to undergo the GMP certification process, and in June 2021 we became the first GMP certified CO2 hemp extraction facility in the state of Kansas. The daily documentation is performed and organized mainly by our Director of Operations, Derek. We guarantee 100% transparency throughout the entire extraction process by keeping record of all materials used, potency and purity of the yields, and the exact specifications and measurements of any and all ready-for-market final products produced in our facility. With our products, what you see is 100% what you get, and we guarantee you are getting high-quality and highly-effective CBD-rich crude, distillates, and oils. Our highly knowledgeable team specializes both in getting the highest biomass yields out of your crops as well as creating pharmacist-formulated blends that are ready for you to put your name on through our in-house white label program. 

What the future looks like for CBD regulation

We are hopeful that very soon, there will be a firm set of FDA regulations that all CBD companies will be required to follow to be allowed to market and sell their products, eliminating any that are unsafe or inaccurate. By maintaining our GMP certification, Kancanna is positioning itself to meet and exceed those standards from day one and continue offering superior quality CBD- rich concentrates and products. 

 

 * Ugalmugle, Sumant and  Swain, Rupali; "Cannabidiol (CBD) Market Size By Product (Oil, Tinctures, Suppository, Transdermal Patches, Isolates, Tablet, Capsules, Vape Oil, Creams And Roll-On), By Application (Anxiety/Stress, Sleep/Insomnia, Chronic Pain, Migraine, Skin Care, Seizures, Joint Pain & Inflammation, Neurological Conditions), By Route of Administration (Oral, Topical, Inhalation, Transdermal Patches, Rectal, Sublingual), By Source (Marijuana, Hemp), By Distribution Channel (Online, Offline {Hospital Pharmacy, Retail Stores}), COVID-19 Impact Analysis, Regional Outlook, Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2021 - 2027" Report ID: GMI4541; Global Market Insights, June 2021 www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/cannabidiol-cbd-market

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