ASTM D8441/D8441M

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International Intoxicating Cannabinoid Product Symbol (ASTM D8441) for light and dark backgrounds IICPS (ASTM D8441) for light and dark backgrounds.pdf
International Intoxicating Cannabinoid Product Symbol (ASTM D8441) for light and dark backgrounds

ASTM D8441 is an ASTM International standard defining the International Intoxicating Cannabinoid Product Symbol (IICPS). As of mid-2022, the symbol has been incorporated into the universal symbols required for cannabis packages in the states of Montana, New Jersey, and Vermont.

Contents

Development

The IICPS was co-designed by Doctors for Cannabis Regulation (DFCR) founder David L. Nathan, MD and University of Pennsylvania design student Eli Nathan. Dr. Nathan has published a number of standards for cannabis product labeling, [1] one of which was modified and renamed the IICPS in 2021. [2]

Working together with DFCR, Committee D37 of ASTM International approved the IICPS as the world's first and only cannabis product symbol to bear the designation of an international voluntary consensus standard. The standard was published as ASTM D8441/D8441M in February 2022. [3]

Definition

ASTM D8441/D8441M defines the IICPS as the silhouette of a cannabis leaf inside an ANSI Z535 and ISO 3864 compliant black-bordered yellow warning triangle. All dimensions of the symbol and the leaf silhouette (a novel design by David and Eli Nathan) are defined in ASTM D8441/D8441M. The state of Vermont approved use of the IICPS before the ASTM standard was published, and their choice of a different color scheme is now out of compliance with the ASTM D8441/D8441M standard.

When used on a dark background, the IICPS utilizes a yellow border that is defined in ASTM D8441/D8441M but is not included in ISO 3864.

As required by ISO 3864 and ISO 7010, no text is permitted in the IICPS itself. However, the IICPS is designed to be accompanied by supplemental text if and when defined by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). For example, the Montana symbol includes the word “MARIJUANA” under the IICPS, the New Jersey symbol includes another graphic with a hand in a stop sign and the words “NOT SAFE FOR KIDS”, and the Vermont symbol includes the text “CONTAINS THC”.

Usage

Montana was the first U.S. state to adopt the IICPS in late 2021. [4] New Jersey and Vermont have subsequently incorporated the IICPS design into their state symbols. [5] [6]

New Jersey and Vermont have mandated the printing or embossing of the IICPS directly onto single servings of cannabis products — such as edibles. [7]

Accessing the IICPS and ASTM D8441/D8441M

While the standard ASTM D8441/D8441M is only available for purchase directly from ASTM International, the digital files for the IICPS itself is available at no cost via download on the DFCR website, and there is no fee for its use by regulatory authorities. [8] States that have adopted the symbol have made it freely available for download on the websites of their respective cannabis regulatory authorities.

Related Research Articles

American National Standards Institute American non-profit organization that develops standards

The American National Standards Institute is a private non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States. The organization also coordinates U.S. standards with international standards so that American products can be used worldwide.

ISO 3864 specifies international standards for safety signs and markings in workplaces and public facilities. These labels are graphical, to overcome language barriers. The standard is split into four parts:

Resin identification code Set of symbols appearing on plastic products that identify the plastic resin out of which the product is made

The ASTM International Resin Identification Coding System, often abbreviated RIC, is a set of symbols appearing on plastic products that identify the plastic resin out of which the product is made. It was developed in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry in the United States, but since 2008 it has been administered by ASTM International, an international standards organization.

Cannabis edible Food product containing cannabis extract

A cannabis edible, also known as a cannabis-infused food or simply an edible, is a food product that contain decarboxylated cannabinoids from cannabis extract as an active ingredient. Although edible may refer to either a food or a drink, a cannabis-infused drink may be referred to more specifically as a liquid edible or drinkable. Edibles are a way to consume cannabis. Unlike smoking, in which cannabinoids are inhaled into the lungs and pass rapidly into the bloodstream, peaking in about ten minutes and wearing off in a couple of hours, cannabis edibles may take hours to digest, and their effects may peak two to three hours after consumption and persist for six to twenty hours. The food or drink used may affect both the timing and potency of the dose ingested.

Laundry symbol Pictograms providing clothing care recommendations

A laundry symbol, also called a care symbol, is a pictogram indicating the manufacturer's suggestions as to methods of washing, drying, dry-cleaning and ironing clothing. Such symbols are written on labels, known as care labels or care tags, attached to clothing to indicate how a particular item should best be cleaned. While there are internationally recognized standards for the care labels and pictograms, their exact use and form differ by region. In some standards, pictograms coexist with or are complemented by written instructions.

Medical cannabis Marijuana used medicinally

Medical cannabis, or medical marijuana (MMJ), is cannabis and cannabinoids that are prescribed by physicians for their patients. The use of cannabis as medicine has not been rigorously tested due to production and governmental restrictions, resulting in limited clinical research to define the safety and efficacy of using cannabis to treat diseases.

No symbol Red circle with a red diagonal line, indicating something is not permitted

The general prohibition sign, also known informally as the no symbol, 'do not' sign, circle-backslash symbol, nay, interdictory circle, prohibited symbol, don't do it symbol, or universal no, is a red circle with a 45-degree diagonal line inside the circle from upper-left to lower-right. It is overlaid on a pictogram to warn that an activity is not permitted, or has accompanying text to describe what is prohibited.

Cannabidiol Phytocannabinoid discovered in 1940

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid discovered in 1940. It is one of 113 identified cannabinoids in cannabis plants, along with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and accounts for up to 40% of the plant's extract. As of 2019, clinical research on CBD included studies related to anxiety, cognition, movement disorders, and pain, but there is insufficient high-quality evidence that cannabidiol is effective for these conditions.

Cannabis (drug) Psychoactive drug from the cannabis plant

Cannabis, also known as marijuana among other names, is a psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant. Native to Central and South Asia, the cannabis plant has been used as a drug for both recreational and entheogenic purposes and in various traditional medicines for centuries. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive component of cannabis, which is one of the 483 known compounds in the plant, including at least 65 other cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabis can be used by smoking, vaporizing, within food, or as an extract.

Cannabis tea Cannabis-infused drink

Cannabis tea is a cannabis-infused drink prepared by steeping various parts of the cannabis plant in hot or cold water. Cannabis tea is commonly recognized as an alternative form of preparation and consumption of the cannabis plant, more popularly known as marijuana, pot, or weed. This plant has long been recognized as an herbal medicine employed by health professionals worldwide to ease symptoms of disease, as well as a psychoactive drug used recreationally and in spiritual traditions. Though less commonly practiced than popular methods like smoking or consuming edibles, drinking cannabis tea can produce comparable physical and mental therapeutic effects. Such effects are largely attributed to the THC content of the tea, levels of which are drastically dependent on individual preparation techniques involving volume, amount of cannabis, and boiling time. Also in common with these administration forms of cannabis is the heating component performed before usage. Due to the rather uncommon nature of this particular practice of cannabis consumption in modern times, the research available on the composition of cannabis tea is limited and based broadly around what is known of cannabis as it exists botanically.

Recycling codes

Recycling codes are used to identify the different material from which an item is made, to facilitate easier recycling process. The presence on an item of a recycling code, a chasing arrows logo, or a resin code, is not an automatic indicator that a material is recyclable; it is an explanation of what the item is made of. Codes have been developed for batteries, biomatter/organic material, glass, metals, paper, and plastics. Various countries have adopted different codes. For example, the table below shows the polymer resin (plastic) codes. In the United States there are fewer, because ABS is placed with "others" in group 7.

Cannabis in the United States Overview of the use and culture of cannabis in the United States

The use, sale, and possession of cannabis over 0.3% THC in the United States, despite laws in many states permitting it under various circumstances, is illegal under federal law. As a Schedule I drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970, cannabis over 0.3% THC is considered to have "no accepted medical use" and have a high potential for abuse and physical or psychological dependence. Cannabis use is illegal for any reason, with the exception of FDA-approved research programs. However, individual states have enacted legislation permitting exemptions for various uses, including medical, industrial, and recreational use.

ANSI Z535 Standard for presenting safety and accident prevention information

ANSI Z535 is an American standard that sets forth a system for presenting safety and accident prevention information. It corresponds to the international ISO 3864 standard.

Package testing

Package testing or packaging testing involves the measurement of a characteristic or property involved with packaging. This includes packaging materials, packaging components, primary packages, shipping containers, and unit loads, as well as the associated processes.

Legality of cannabis by U.S. jurisdiction Cannabis laws by state and territory

In the United States, the use and possession of cannabis is illegal under federal law for any purpose by way of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (CSA). Under the CSA, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I substance, determined to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use – thereby prohibiting even medical use of the drug. Despite this, most states have legalized either or both the medical and recreational use of cannabis.

Cannabis in Vermont

Cannabis in Vermont as of May 2004 is legal for medical use, and legal for recreational use as of July 1, 2018.

David L. Nathan is an American psychiatrist, writer, and founder and past president of Doctors for Cannabis Regulation. Best known for his advocacy of cannabis legalization, he has also published research in the academic and lay press on a range of other topics, including archeology, numismatics, the history of animation and early American football.

Cannabis in New Jersey Overview of the use and culture of cannabis in New Jersey, U.S.

Cannabis in New Jersey is legal for both medical use and recreational use. An amendment legalizing cannabis became part of the state constitution on January 1, 2021, and enabling legislation and related bills were signed into law by governor Phil Murphy on February 22, 2021.

Cannabis product testing is product testing of the properties of cannabis destined for consumer use. Analytical chemistry and microbiology laboratories determine cannabinoids, water content, heavy metals, pesticides, terpenes, yeast, mold and mycotoxins, and solvents. These laboratories came about when advocates of cannabis testing brought up concerns with potential contaminants.

Safety sign Type of sign

Safety signs are a type of sign designed to warn of hazards, indicate mandatory actions or required use of Personal protective equipment, prohibit actions or objects, identify the location of firefighting or safety equipment, or marking of exit routes.

References

  1. Nathan, David L. “Setting the Standard for Cannabis Labeling: Introducing the Universal Cannabis Product Symbol and the Universal Cannabis Information Label.” Cannabis Science and Technology, July/August 2020, Volume 3, Issue 6, pp. 44-52. https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/setting-the-standard-for-cannabis-labeling-introducing-the-universal-cannabis-product-symbol-and
  2. "Why All Legalized U.S. Jurisdictions Should (and Probably Will) Adopt the International Intoxicating Cannabis Product Symbol (IICPS).” Cannabis Science and Technology’', Volume 5, Issue 3, April 2022. https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/why-all-legalized-u-s-jurisdictions-should-and-probably-will-adopt-the-international-intoxicating-cannabis-product-symbol-iicps-
  3. "New Standard Provides International Symbol for Intoxicating Cannabinoids.” ASTM International News Release, March 15, 2022. https://newsroom.astm.org/new-standard-provides-international-symbol-intoxicating-cannabinoids
  4. Montana Department of Revenue, General Labeling Requirements, accessed May 19, 2022. https://mtrevenue.gov/cannabis/labeling-and-packaging/
  5. NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission, Business Resources, accessed May 19, 2022. https://www.nj.gov/cannabis/businesses/resources/
  6. State of Vermont Cannabis Control Board, Rule 2: Regulation of Cannabis Establishments, November 2021. https://ccb.vermont.gov/sites/ccb/files/2021-11/Proposed%20Rule%202%20-%20Regulation%20of%20Cannabis%20Establishments.pdf
  7. "Universal Cannabis Symbol," Doctors for Cannabis Regulation website, accessed May 27, 2022. https://www.dfcr.org/universal-cannabis-symbol
  8. "Why All Legalized U.S. Jurisdictions Should (and Probably Will) Adopt the International Intoxicating Cannabis Product Symbol (IICPS).” Cannabis Science and Technology’', Volume 5, Issue 3, April 2022. https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/why-all-legalized-u-s-jurisdictions-should-and-probably-will-adopt-the-international-intoxicating-cannabis-product-symbol-iicps-