ASTM International is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to developing standards in 148 industries, including the cannabis industry. Jim Thomas is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for ASTM International.

Cannabiz Media recently spoke with Jim to learn about the state of standards in the cannabis industry and what the future will bring as well as how he uses the Cannabiz Media License Database to support marketing, sales, and business development initiatives for ASTM International.

Why Does ASTM International Use the Cannabiz Media License Database?

Jim leverages the Cannabiz Media License Database to find the right people to connect ASTM International with so the organization can provide education about standards, develop relationships, and more. 

“I can say that the list you have in the Cannabiz Media License Database is fantastic,” shares Jim. “We’ve been able to really incrementally grow some of our programs specifically targeting the laboratories in the cannabis space, and that’s a tremendous value from my perspective.”

For Jim and the team at ASTM International, having the ability to target the right people is critical. He explains, “What’s been really great is we’ve been able to strategically pinpoint the types of organizations that we want to work with using the Cannabiz Media License Database.”

As Jim explains, there is a need for education and standards in the cannabis industry, and using the Cannabiz Media License Database, ASTM International can get that information to the right people. “We’re advocating and educating,” he says. “We have to be able to find the right people to give them this information because a lot of people just don’t know. New lab managers are coming in, and they might not know all of the things they could be offering their staff for efficiency, improvements, and a competitive advantage in the marketplace.”

What’s Next for ASTM International?

Through its 1,200-member and growing D37 committee, ASTM International volunteers with a broad range of experience and expertise who are working to develop standards for the cannabis industry. “D37 is doing really fantastic work,” says Jim. “They’re putting out test methods and standards, and there are a lot of work items in place. At ASTM, we’re working on proficiency testing programs, training, and certifications for the cannabis industry.”

ASTM International is also actively partnering with many other organizations to create cannabis industry standards. Jim explains, “We’re partnering with a number of different organizations in the space to try to get more content out there because this industry’s going to need it. Eventually, the industry will be federally legal across the board, and you want to show the industry can regulate itself – working towards safety and sustainability. To do that, you have to incorporate voluntary consensus standards, and I believe it’s going to come from multiple organizations, not just ASTM.”

 Looking forward, ASTM plans to develop cannabis industry standards for national and international markets. “The strategy should be to make sure American companies in this industry have the ability to export their products, because that’s what’s coming next,” says Jim. “Right now, we’re talking about state to state, but you think about global commerce and people who build huge, successful businesses – they have to be able to export. And to be able to export, you need that country to be able to import. And for them to be able to import, there has to be standards that are met and accepted internationally.”

For more information about ASTM International and to hear additional insights from Jim, follow the link and listen to Cannabiz Media’s recent Cannacurio podcast episode featuring Jim as the special guest.

To learn more about how subscribing to the Cannabiz Media License Database can help your business, like it helps ASTM International, follow the link and schedule a free demo.