American Herbal Products Association Publishes Hemp Lexicon

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has published a Hemp Lexicon intended to support the standardization of the terminology used in the cultivation, processing, manufacturing, and labeling of hemp and products derived from hemp as defined in U.S. federal law. The Lexicon will be a reference tool for the hemp industry as well as the federal, state, tribal, and other jurisdictions that oversee the hemp industry to provide guidance and encourage clear, consistent communication. The definitions in the Lexicon can also provide consumers with a common understanding of the diverse terms used in the description, marketing, and labeling of hemp products as well.

“As the hemp industry continues to expand, all hemp stakeholders will benefit from the standard terminology established in the Lexicon,” said Asa Waldstein, Chair of the Cannabis Committee. “Development of the AHPA Hemp Lexicon marks another important milestone in the accomplishments of the AHPA Cannabis Committee in its over 10-year history of work.”

Many of the terms in this Lexicon have been long established in other AHPA documents, such as the AHPA Guidance for Manufacture and Sale of Bulk Botanical Extracts (2001), Use of Marker Compounds in Manufacturing and Labeling Botanically Derived Dietary Supplements (2001), Standardization of botanical products: White paper (2003), and Guidance for the Retail Labeling of Dietary Supplements Containing Soft or Powdered Botanical Extracts (2000). Many of these definitions were developed and implemented by AHPA in consultation with a group of global botanical experts, and are harmonized with or have been adopted by other national governments and regulatory bodies.

Where current hemp industry usage of specific terms for marketing purposes differs from the long-established botanical industry definitions, the Lexicon acknowledges those differences and recommends alternate terminology that may be integrated by the hemp industry as it matures. These alternate terms are provided with the long-term goals of achieving consistency within the industry and of establishing a common consumer understanding of hemp product labeling. AHPA strongly encourages the hemp industry to utilize terminology consistent with established botanical industry usage whenever possible.

The Lexicon was developed by a working group of the AHPA Cannabis Committee and included hemp growers, manufacturers, processors, and product marketers who use this terminology in their operations and communications. Suggestions for additional terms to include in the Hemp Lexicon are welcome and revisions will be made as additional insights are gained through its practical use.

View the AHPA Hemp Lexicon at www.ahpa.org.