Research Standards Core

Advancing reproducibility and quality in cannabis research

The Research Standards Core, led by US Pharmacopeia (USP), supports researchers by providing guidance, best practices, analytical methods, and the other resources related to the quality of cannabis investigational materials.

The Core helps ensure reproducibility of both clinical and non-clinical studies by offering the resources related to characterization of the cannabis chemotypes, their nomenclature, and fit-for-purpose specifications.

A dynamic repository shares quality standards, potency metrics, and regulatory-aligned guidelines. Researchers can also access information about the peer-to-peer shipment of investigational materials and other suppliers. The Core empowers investigators to produce high-quality, reproducible data while navigating complex research challenges in cannabis science.

Please note that the resources we provide on this website are not exhaustive. If you have other suggestions of resources we can add, please email us at info@r3cr.org.

Peer-to-Peer Supply Network

Purpose: The peer-to-peer supply network is conceived to facilitate investigators sharing unique or excess research materials to support collaborative research between institutions.

The peer-to-peer supply network is in addition to and different from the NIDA Drug Supply Program and the DEA-approved cannabis vendors in that it provides a mechanism for the investigators to collaborate to study the reproducibility of research in a variety of settings.

Features:

• Guidelines for material transfer agreements and legal compliance
• Platform for posting available materials or requests.
• Portal for outreach and collaborations between researchers and research material providers

Available Research-Grade Materials

Purpose: Bridge between researchers and material suppliers through .

Features:

• Directory of cannabis material providers and related groups
• DEA-approved cannabis vendors
• Laboratories, standards, and metrics for conducting cannabis research
• Virtual meetings, panel discussions or webinars with vendors and researchers

Resources:

• DEA-Approved Bulk Cannabis Suppliers | NCCIH
• NIDA Drug Supply Program Catalog (2019)
• NIDA Drug Supply Program | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
• NIDA Drug Supply Program (DSP) Ordering Guidelines | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Analytical Methods

Purpose: Provide validated analytical methods and best practice guidelines

Features:

• Best practices in research design and material characterization.
• Database of analytical methods that links to existing nationally accepted databases, standards, and protocols for sharing with the research community
• Monthly updates with newly published methods or revised practices.

Resources:

• USP Standards (pdf)
• Cannabis Analytical Science Program – AOAC International
• Committee D37 on Cannabis – ASTM Cannabis
• NIST Tools for Cannabis Laboratory Quality Assurance – NIST

Best Practice Guidelines

• FDA
• Botanical Drug Development – FDA Guidance for Industry
• Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Compounds: Quality Considerations for Clinical Research – FDA Guidance for Industry
• FDA Regulation and Quality Considerations for Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Compounds
• DEA
• DEA Researcher’s Manual
• USDA
• Laboratory Testing Guidelines U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program
• Terminology

• Cannabis Inflorescence for Medical Purposes: USP Considerations for Quality Attributes

• AHPA Hemp Lexicon

Testing Labs

• ​American Council of Independent Laboratories
• Hemp Analytical Testing Laboratories – Agricultural Marketing Service

Reference Materials

• The United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP)
• Restek
• Cayman Chemical