Cannabis standards are coming, and Canadian industry has a unique opportunity to get involved and shape the future of this emerging global market. The Standards Council of Canada can help.

Canada is the first Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and G7 country to legalize recreational cannabis. Not only are we in the spotlight, we have a unique opportunity to get ahead of the game by developing leading international standards for this emerging industry.

The financial stakes are massive—the global market for medical marijuana alone is anticipated to be worth billions of dollars.  

While cannabis is not new, legalization is, and it will create tremendous opportunities for Canadian industry. International standards will play an important role in supporting industry compliance to regulations, and will help to inform the evolution of regulations Canada and abroad. They will influence the development of new products, formats and technologies and play a role in establishing a regulated market for cannabis. International standards will also play a key role in determining access to future global markets.

Standards for cannabis are only one part of the equation. Legalization is also driving the need for standards in related areas, like cultivation techniques, quality testing, associated equipment and inventory management.

As an emerging industry, cannabis offers early players and innovators the chance to influence standards, accreditation schemes and industry certifications. Doing so can help businesses:

• Create new markets and disrupt existing ones
• Drive the adoption of their products, technologies, and approaches in international markets
• Anticipate, influence and adapt to new market rules
• Drive innovation and productivity, and gain competitive advantages

Standards are not neutral. They are shaped and influenced by those who participate in their development. Companies that aim to innovate should have their say early on. Participating in standards development could help Canadian cannabis businesses access markets all over the world and secure global competitive advantages.

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What is the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) doing about standardization in the cannabis industry?

SCC is collaborating with a network of organizations that are developing standards for cannabis and cannabis products. For example, one is working on best practices, certifications, analytical methods and quality assurance systems for laboratories. Another is developing standards related to production and extraction. We have also established a national advisory committee to help coordinate Canadian involvement and input.

We are:

• Participating in initiatives to develop international standards around categorizing, testing, packaging and labelling

• Working to involve Canadian businesses, regulators and policy-makers in standardization discussions to ensure new standards reflect Canadian requirements
• Providing strategic and technical support to companies to develop and implement standardization solutions

I want to participate in developing cannabis standards. How do I get started?

SCC provides strategic and technical support to innovative Canadian companies aimed at developing and advancing new international standards that can provide competitive advantages for Canadian industry. The cannabis standards in development now will influence the industry for years to come. Companies that aspire to be global leaders in the cannabis market should seize the opportunity to propose and contribute to the standards that will shape it. If you are an innovative Canadian company operating in the cannabis space, you might already be doing something that could be the basis for an industry standard. SCC can work with you to help you access opportunities to grow your business through standardization.

SCC can provide the following support to your company:

• Advancing the development of new standards, conformity assessment and certification schemes based on your commercial and competitive needs
• Identifying opportunities for participation in standards development that support your business
• Identifying opportunities to adopt standards that will increase productivity, competitiveness, and access to global markets
• Providing advice on corporate standardization and market access strategies

Reach out to SCC with your questions and suggestions. We can help you get involved in standards development, assist in identifying opportunities that support your business objectives and connect you with the organizations that are helping Canada be a global leader in the cannabis industry.