ASTM D8245-19

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D8245 − 19
Standard Guide for
Disposal of Resin-Containing Cannabis Raw Materials and
Downstream Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8245; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Terminology
2.1 Definitions:
1.1 This guide encompasses generalized guidelines for the
2.1.1 cannabinoids, n—class of bioactive chemical com-
disposal of cannabis raw materials and products containing
pounds consisting of terpenophenolic secondary metabolites
resins. The guidelines presented can also be applied to the
produced within the secretory cells of the cannabis plant as
disposal of planting seed.
well as some other plant species.
1.2 This guide also provides guidance for authorized con-
2.1.1.1 Discussion—“Phytocannabinoids” refer to those
sumers outlining the safe and secure disposal of unwanted,
cannabinoids produced by plants, such as the cannabis plant.
unused, or expired resin cannabis products at home or through
“Endocannabinoids” refer to those cannabinoids produced by
use of a take-back program facilitated by a cannabis operation
normal human/animal physiological functions.
or the authority having jurisdiction.
2.1.2 cannabis flower, n—flowering or fruiting tops of the
1.3 This guide does not cover the disposal of seeds, leaves,
cannabis plant (excluding the seeds and leaves when not
stalks, or roots so long as they are not accompanied by the
accompanied by the tops) from which the resin has not been
flowers or resins.
extracted, by whatever name they may be designated by the
authority having jurisdiction.
1.4 This guide does not cover the disposal of other waste
2.1.2.1 Discussion—Cannabis flowers may occur singularly
materials commonly generated by a cannabis operation, such
or in clusters (cola), possessing glandular trichomes, bracts,
as waste grow-media, cleaning agents, pesticides, fertilizers,
calyxes/sepals, and stigmas, and bear the reproductive struc-
solvents, lighting (mercury- and lead-based), hazardous
tures (for example, stamens or pistils) involved in the devel-
materials,laboratorywastesgeneratedduringqualityassurance
opment of seeds. “Grain” refers to those flowers that have been
and quality control, water, or unused packaging and label
pollinated and are in the process of or have already generated
materials.
seeds.
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
2.1.3 cannabis leaves, n—photosynthesizing parts of the
as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in
cannabis plant that range in size and shape with multiple
this standard.
protrusions stemming from a singular shoot that may or may
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
not possess glandular trichomes.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
2.1.3.1 Discussion—The arrangement of leaves is alternate
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
or opposite, the form of the leaves is palmately compound,
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
composed usually from three (3) to up to nine (9) linear
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
lanceolate leaflets with glandular hairs, and margins ranging
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
from crenate/dentate to coarsely serrate.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
2.1.3.2 Discussion—“Sugar leaves” are a subset of cannabis
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
leaves that grow with the flowers and possess a significant
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
quantity of glandular trichomes (that is, both the tops and
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
bottoms of the leaves are completely covered in glandular
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
trichomes). “Fan leaves” are another subset of cannabis leaves
that grow throughout the plant but do not possess a significant
quantity of glandular trichomes, if any.
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D37 on Cannabis and
2.1.4 cannabis plant, n—any plant of the genus Cannabis.
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D37.04 on Processing and Handling.
2.1.4.1 Discussion—At a minimum, this refers to Cannabis
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2019. Published February 2019. DOI:
10.1520/D8245-19. sativa L., and, if classified as different species, then also
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D8245 − 19
Cannabis indica and Cannabis afghanica (in accordance with increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible or
modern taxonomic efforts). incapacitating reversible illness, or (2) pose a substantial
present or potential hazard to human/animal health or the
2.1.5 cannabis raw material, n—any part of the cannabis
environment when improperly treated, stored, transported,
plant that is intended to be manufactured into any kind of
disposed of, or otherwise managed. This definition varies from
product.
one jurisdiction to another.
2.1.6 cannabis resin, n—separated glandular trichomes and
2.1.14.1 Discussion—Examples of hazardous waste pro-
the naturally occurring chemicals contained within, including
duced by cannabis operations: petroleum products and natural
the cannabinoids, obtained from any part of the cannabis plant.
gas, mercury- or lead-based light bulbs or both, irrigation/
2.1.6.1 Discussion—The glandular trichomes are the secre-
fertigation runoff, sludges that result from the recycling of
tory cells of the cannabis plant that produce the resins.
solvents, spent absorption medias, waste solvent, and other
2.1.7 cannabis seed, n—cannabis plant’s unit of reproduc-
chemicals used in cultivation or manufacturing operations.
tion capable of developing into another cannabis plant.
2.1.7.1 Discussion—“Planting seed” refers to those seeds of 2.1.15 irretrievable, adj—result of a method/process that
the cannabis plant that are capable of germination, that is,
permanently alters the physical or chemical condition/state or
“viable.” “Nonviable seed” refers to those seeds of the canna-
both of a controlled substance through irreversible means,
bis plant that have been rendered incapable of germination.
which renders it unsalvageable via physical or chemical
attempts or both.
2.1.8 cannabis stalk, n—refers to the tough, fibrous parts of
the cannabis plant containing the hurd and bast fibers possess- 2.1.15.1 Discussion—“Unrecognizable,” “non-
ing minimal glandular trichomes. salvageable,” “unreclaimable,” and “unrecoverable” are syn-
2.1.8.1 Discussion—“Stems” are analogues to stalks but are
onymous with “irretrievable.”
typically smaller in diameter and are used to connect the
2.1.16 manufacture, v—allprocessesbywhichcannabisraw
various structures of the plant to the stalk.
materials may be obtained and includes refining as well as the
2.1.9 cannabis waste, n—any part of the cannabis plant,
transformation of cannabis raw materials into other substances.
except the flowers and resins, whether living or dead, molded,
2.1.16.1 Discussion—The term also includes the making of
rotten, contaminated, unfit for human or animal consumption
preparations other than those made for prescription by phar-
or both, or otherwise designated as waste.
macies. Manufacturing includes processing of the cannabis
2.1.10 compost, n—any biodegradable, organic, plant-based
plant to separate the cannabis flowers and resins from the rest
refuse that can be mixed with other similar waste to be
of the plant material referred to as the act of “producing”
decomposed by insects, microorganisms, or other means into
cannabis flowers and resins from the plants from which they
reusable soil material.
are obtained.
2.1.10.1 Discussion—This includes all forms of cannabis
2.1.17 municipal waste, n—any garbage, refuse, lunchroom
raw material waste as well as other plant-based waste and
or office waste, and other material, including: (1) solid, liquid,
various types of human/animal food waste.
semisolid, or contained gaseous material resulting from opera-
2.1.11 cultivation, n—act of growing the cannabis plant.
tion of residential, municipal, commercial, institutional
2.1.11.1 Discussion—“Horticultural cultivation” refers to
establishments, or from community activities and (2) any
the cultivation of cannabis plants within an indoor facility,
sludge not meeting the definition of residual or hazardous
whether glasshouse/greenhouse or brick and mortar, permitted
waste, as defined by the authority having jurisdiction, from a
for the cultivation of the cannabis plant by the authority having
municipal, commercial, or institutional water supply treatment
jurisdiction. “Agricultural cultivation” refers to the outdoor
plant, wastewater treatment plant, or air pollution control
cultivation of cannabis plants within a defined set of latitudinal
facility. This definition varies from one jurisdiction to another.
andlongitudinalcoordinatespermittedforthecultivationofthe
2.1.17.1 Discussion—Any waste products that are not clas-
cannabis plant by the authority having jurisdiction.
sified as residual, hazardous, or resin cannabis waste that can
2.1.12 diversion, n—act of knowingly or unknowingly
be disposed of through municipal waste streams can be
misplacing, misrepresenting, stealing, or redirecting of inven-
classified as “municipal waste” and includes any packaging
tory through improper business activities or illicit or clandes-
materials, paper waste, or disposable quality control devices,
tine means or both.
such as gloves, hairnets, and any other municipal waste, as
2.1.13 finished, adj—refers to any product that is in its final
defined by the authority having jurisdiction, that have not been
form in which it will be sold/provided to an authorized
contaminated by a resin cannabis product during cultivation or
consumer.
manufacture.
2.1.13.1 Discussion—In other words, a packaged and la-
2.1.18 non-cannabis waste, n—any form of waste that
beled product intended for sale.
cannot be classified as cannabis waste or resin cannabis waste.
2.1.14 hazardous waste, n—any garbage, refuse, sludge, or
2.1.19 preparation, n—(1) any solution or mixture, in what-
other discarded material, including solid, liquid, semisolid, or
contained gaseous material that, because of its quantity, ever physical state, containing one or more cannabis raw
materials or derivatives therefrom or (2) one or more cannabis
concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious
characteristics, may: (1) cause or significantly contribute to an raw materials or derivatives therefrom in dosage form.
D8245 − 19
2.1.19.1 Discussion—Preparations can be “medical” or 2.1.24.1 Discussion—Regarding cultivation, work-in-
“adult-use” or “animal-use.” “Medical” and “pharmaceutical” progress products include seedlings, clones, and immature and
are synonyms. mature plants.
2.1.20 residual waste, n—any garbage, refuse, discarded
3. Significance and Use
material, or other waste, including solid, liquid, semisolid, or
3.1 The practical applications of these guidelines include
contained gaseous materials, resulting from commercial,
the adoption of international guidelines for the disposal of
agricultural, or industrial operations, and any sludge from a
controlled substances, harmonization with the UN Single
commercial, agricultural, or industrial water supply treatment
Convention on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances,
facility, wastewater treatment facility, or air pollution control
clarification of controlled and uncontrolled parts of the canna-
facility, if it is not hazardous. This definition varies from one
bis plant, and flexible and economical disposal methods for
jurisdiction to another.
resin containing cannabis raw materials and downstream prod-
2.1.20.1 Discussion—Examples of residual waste produced
ucts.
by cannabis operations: gray or black water and sludges that
3.2 This guide provides a step-by-step method for the
result from the treatment of water supplies or wastewater.
implementation of a disposal process capable of rendering
2.1.21 resin cannabis, n—any cannabis plant that has been,
cannabis raw materials and products containing resins
or is in the process of being, cultivated for the explicit purpose
irretrievable,non-reclaimable,andsafetocompost,commingle
of harvesting or processing the flowers and/or collecting,
with municipal waste, or incinerate.
separating, isolating, or extracting the resins for human or
3.3 This guide is intended to be used by cannabis
animal consumption or both.
operations, such as cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, and
2.1.21.1 Discussion—Resin cannabis can be cultivated for
laboratories. This guide clearly distinguishes between those
both “medical” and “adult-use” purposes.
parts of the plant that require being rendered irretrievable
2.1.22 resin cannabis product, n—any product, whether
before further processing or disposal and those parts of the
finished or a work in progress, containing or comprised of
plant that do not require any type of special processing or
cannabis flowers or resins or both and includes, but is not
handling protocols.
limitedto,thecannabisflowersandresinsthemselves,extracts/
3.4 This guide is useful for regulators, as it provides
concentrates/derivatives thereof, and preparations therefrom.
assurance that cannabis operations and authorized consumers
2.1.22.1 Discussion—Cannabis resins are classified as
who follow the guide will be able to mitigate diversion of
Schedule I controlled substances by the United Nations (UN).
waste cannabis raw materials and products containing resins,
The cannabinoids are cannabis resins; therefore, the
thereby maintaining the safety and health of the public and
cannabinoids, explicitly delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
environment.
and all others implicitly, such as cannabidiol (CBD), are
3.5 This guide provides authorized consumers with a way to
Schedule I controlled substances. CBD, the cannabis plant,
dispose of medical and/or adult-use cannabis products in a safe
cannabis flowers and resins, and THC are in the process of
and compliant manner similar to that used for prescription
beingevaluatedbytheWorldHealthOrganizationtodetermine
medications.
the level of harm to the public presented by the cannabis plant,
3.6 Useofthisguidewillminimizetheamountofwastethat
its various parts, and derivatives therefrom. Currently, the
perception of THC is that there is a higher risk to public health is produced by cannabis operations, relieving both economic
and logistical resources of the operators and authorities having
and safety than CBD. This guide considers the risk associated
with the cannabis resins as minimal, regardless of type, and jurisdiction.
does not differentiate between THC and CBD nor any of the
4. General Guidelines
other bioactive compounds generated within the glandular
trichomes from resins.
4.1 Cannabis operations typically train employees on rel-
evant general waste-disposal policies and procedures. Canna-
2.1.23 resin cannabis waste, n—(1) any part of the cannabis
bis operations routinely ensure that these policies are clear and
plant containing a significant quantity of cannabis resins
easy to follow. For example, solid waste, liquid waste, recy-
(greater than1%bydry weight) that is unfit for human and/or
clable materials, and municipal waste should be clearly
animalconsumption;(2)anysubstance,solution,ormixture,in
marked, stored, and disposed of in a manner that prevents and
whatever physical state, or contained gaseous materials gener-
discourages unlawful product diversion and maximizes sanita-
ated during cultivation or manufacturing activities that comes
tion and safety.
incontactwitharesincannabisproduct;(3)anyobject,utensil,
or tool that comes in contact with a resin cannabis product that
4.2 All waste management procedures should be outlined
cannot be cleaned; and (4) any resin cannabis product that is
and detailed in standard operating procedures and thoroughly
unused, surplus, returned, recalled, expired, contaminated,
incorporated into training manuals and employee training
unfit for sale, or otherwise designated as waste.
exercises. Operational procedures should be updated and
verified by intra-department managers on a regular basis.
2.1.24 work in progress, n—refers to any product or good
that is in any stage of manufacture before being classified as a 4.3 All actions taken regarding the disposal of resin canna-
“finished” product. bis waste should be documented in a business management
D8245 − 19
platform and applicable data concerning the weight/amount, 4.13 Afterthepackaging/containershavebeenverifiedtobe
location, and type of resin cannabis waste should be logged in void of any resin cannabis material or residue, they can be
a seed-to-sale tracking system or inventory management plat- recycledordisposedofusinganyacceptablemethodasdefined
formincompliancewithspecificationsdefinedbytheauthority by the authority having jurisdiction.
having jurisdiction.
NOTE 2—“Void” will be defined by the authority having jurisdiction’s
analytical abilities and the limit of detection of their testing equipment.
4.4 Waste management procedures should include the regu-
lar disposal of trash and other refuse to prevent infestation, 4.14 Resin cannabis waste should be weighed, logged,
recorded, and tracked up until the point of disposal using some
eliminate potential sources of contamination, and maintain
sanitary conditions. form of seed-to-sale or other inventory management system
that is compliant with specifications defined by the authority
4.5 Resin cannabis products are considered Schedule I
having jurisdiction.
narcotics according to the UN and as such should be disposed
of in a manner that is in accordance with the authority having
4.15 Resin cannabis waste should be rendered unusable and
jurisdiction. Resin cannabis waste should be disposed of while
unrecognizable before being composted or aerobically or
remaining separate and distinct from municipal waste until
anaerobically digested on-site or disposed of at a permitted
rendered irretrievable. Meticulous disposal protocols for the
solid waste landfill, resource recovery facility, or incinerator.
separation of resin cannabis waste and municipal waste should
4.16 The purpose of rendering resin cannabis waste unus-
be implemented and maintained.
able and unrecognizable before disposal is to transform the
4.6 Cannabis operations should take extreme care in pre-
waste into an irretrievable state, preventing diversion of the
venting the diversion of resin cannabis products into the public
waste. The method in which resin cannabis waste is rendered
through lax waste disposal policies or procedures and should
unusableandunrecognizableshouldresultinallcomponentsof
consider this one of their highest priorities.
the waste being indistinguishable from municipal waste
...