AHPA Chief Science Officer Dr. Holly Johnson discussed quality standards for hemp farmers, formulators, and finished product manufacturers at the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) 25th Annual Conference held Nov. 2-5 in Los Angeles.

Dr. Johnson noted that hemp derived natural products, especially medicinal preparations and dietary supplements, are steadily gaining popularity with consumers.

"While there is great optimism about current efforts to clarify the legal status of such products, the pervading regulatory uncertainty has led to some technical challenges in assuring product quality," Dr. Johnson said.

She discussed challenges in the current environment that the industry must negotiate and implementation of quality standards for farmers, formulators, and finished product manufacturers.

AHPA provides several resources to help ensure the quality and safety of cannabis and hemp derived products and continues to support changes to make hemp-derived products more available to U.S. consumers.

The Hemp Industries Association (HIA) is a non-profit trade association representing businesses, farmers, researchers and investors working with industrial hemp. We are at the forefront of the drive for fair and equal treatment of industrial hemp. Since 1994, the HIA has been dedicated to education, industry development, and the accelerated expansion of hemp world market supply and demand.