The American Herbal Pharmacopoeia has finalized the first installment of a Cannabis monograph. Dr. Michelle Sexton has been an editor and technical advisor on this project. Pre-order yours now for Christmas!
An herbal monograph is a document produced on the topic of a single plant that describes nomenclature, parts used, constituents, range of application, contraindications, side effects, incompatibilities with other medications, dosage, use, and action of the herb. The first installment of the monograph, set to go to press this week, is “Standards of Identity, Analysis and Quality Control”. This document has been adopted by rule to guide, specifically, the quality assurance testing of Cannabis and related products under I502. The second installment will focus on therapeutic applications and is expected sometime next spring. This monograph represents the most up-to-date review of topics from nomenclature, Identification, Constituents, Analytical Standards and International Status. AHP monographs fill the mission to “promote the responsible use of herbal medicines and ensure they are used with the highest possible degree of efficacy and safety. Our primary way to accomplish this is through the development of standards of identity, purity, and analysis for botanicals, as well as to critically review traditional and scientific data regarding their efficacy and safety”.
This publication is significant because for the first time since Cannabis was removed from the Us pharmacopoeia in 1942, this “red-headed step child” of a plant now has a home! Additionally, the American Herbal Products Association has developed documents to guide regulators and the industry in providing quality assurance and quality control. Together, the monograph and AHPA standards have guided Americans for Safe Access in development of a Patients First Certification Program. Despite the fact that I502 regulations will not at this time require medical Cannabis to have the same level of quality control as that marketed in retail stores for adult use, it is hoped that in time the quality of medical products will exceed that of adult use products.
Good Agricultural Practices are addressed in both AHP and AHPA documents and cultivation and processing guidelines are included. If you want more information about either of these organizations, contact them and we encourage you to join the AHPA if you are involved in any area of production or distribution of Cannabis and related products. The Chair of the Cannabis Committee at AHPA is Tim Smale.