Product standards is a familiar topic to Hemp Bulletin readers. They’re essential for normalizing markets and tying hemp prices to detailed specifications.  Hemp product standards are partly demand driven, shaped by research and our evolving understanding of cannabinoids, bast fiber, or hempseed protein, three examples derived from the three industry segments.

Product standards for fiber hemp will in some instances draw on standards developed for other bast crops, like flax.  The leading product category from hemp fiber crops is hurd animal bedding.  The situation is fluid, but textile products – woven or not – present more barrier to entry. 

The problem with underdeveloped product standards is the risk of disappointing customers with variable, or marginal product.   Without a distributor between producer and end consumer, in a direct marketing scenario, there is no transaction where product specifications are…