ASTM D8334/D8334M-20

Standard Practice for Sampling of Cannabis/Hemp Post-Harvest Batches for Laboratory Analyses

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This standard will provide best practices for the sampling of harvested cannabis inflorescence with the intent to assure representative sampling.  
5.2 The laboratory results and their respective harvest batch associations have implications and significance to regulatory requirements, quality control considerations throughout the product’s life cycle, and the safety of the consumers who may be adversely affected by consumption of product that was not tested in a homogeneous manner (3).  
5.3 This standard does not address the appropriate sampling of processed cannabis materials such as such as extracts, seeds, edibles, topicals, etc.  
5.4 This standard addresses the sampling of cannabis inflorescence destined for human or animal consumption.  
5.5 This standard does not address pre-harvest field sampling or large untrimmed or unprocessed harvest batches.
SCOPE
1.1 Cannabis harvested materials require sampling strategies throughout their life cycle, from cultivation to the end consumer. For purposes of this standard, the term cannabis is inclusive of all cannabis inflorescence, including hemp varieties. The qualitative and quantitative characteristics of cannabis/hemp for human or animal consumption has safety implications throughout the life cycle from cultivation to end consumer. This standard provides best practice procedures and protocols for sampling batches of harvested cannabis inflorescence. Cannabis/hemp materials often exhibit variability across different parts within the same plant or across different plants within the same cultivar, or both, (1, 2).2 Thus, sampling strategies are required which yield a representative a sample across a harvest batch. Representative sampling is required to ensure that the qualitative and quantitative test results accurately reflect cannabinoid identification, potency, identification and concentration of terpenes, concentration of trace metals, microbiological activity, mycotoxins, and concentration of pesticides across the batch.  
1.2 Where procedural aspects of this practice differ from local regulatory or jurisdictional requirements, the local regulatory or jurisdictional authority’s directives shall take precedence.  
1.3 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2020
• ICS: 11.120.99 - Other standards related to pharmaceutics
• ICS: 65.020.20 - Plant growing
• ICS: 71.040.10 - Chemical laboratories. Laboratory equipment
• Technical Committee: D37 - Cannabis
• Drafting Committee: D37.03 - Laboratory

Overview

ASTM D8334/D8334M-20: Standard Practice for Sampling of Cannabis/Hemp Post-Harvest Batches for Laboratory Analyses provides established procedures for obtaining representative samples from harvested cannabis inflorescence, including hemp varieties. This standard is designed to ensure quality and safety through consistent sampling protocols that support accurate laboratory analyses. Developed by ASTM International, this guideline is essential for meeting regulatory requirements and delivering reliable results for both human and animal consumption products.

The focus is on guaranteeing that collected cannabis or hemp samples reflect the characteristics of entire harvest batches. By following this standard, producers, laboratories, and regulators can consistently assess cannabinoid potency, terpene profiles, trace metals, microbiological activity, mycotoxins, and pesticide concentrations across post-harvest harvest batches.

Key Topics

• Representative Sampling: Procedures outlined guarantee that the collected sample accurately represents the harvested batch, minimizing inhomogeneity and highlighting the importance of both random and systematic sample acquisition.
• Batch Documentation: Detailed requirements for recording harvest batch information, including environmental conditions, cultivar identification, and batch uniformity, underpin traceability and regulatory compliance.
• Aseptic Techniques: Specific tools and aseptic procedures are required to prevent sample contamination, including the use of disinfected equipment and clean gloves.
• Sampling Methods: The standard distinguishes between sampling of harvest batches stored in trays versus containers, specifying minimum sample sizes and guidance for composite sample creation.
• Chain of Custody (COC): Clear documentation is necessary at each step from sample collection to laboratory receipt, ensuring sample integrity and traceability.
• Exclusions: The scope does not include sampling for extracts, seeds, edibles, topicals, pre-harvest field sampling, or untrimmed/unprocessed harvest batches.

Applications

ASTM D8334/D8334M-20 is widely applicable across the cannabis and hemp industries, including:

• Cannabis Cultivators: Ensures consistent sample collection from post-harvest inflorescences intended for laboratory analyses and regulatory compliance.
• Testing Laboratories: Standardizes intake and processing of submitted cannabis and hemp samples, supporting accurate assessments for safety and quality parameters such as cannabinoid and terpene profiles, contamination, and adulterants.
• Regulatory Agencies: Provides a recognized framework for ensuring that laboratory test results are reliably associated with specific harvest batches for consumer protection and market integrity.
• Product Quality Control: Adherence to this standard strengthens internal quality control systems by ensuring sampling homogeneity and verifiable record-keeping.
• Research Institutions: Offers a robust, repeatable sampling methodology for studies on cannabis and hemp composition or safety.

Related Standards

Professionals using ASTM D8334/D8334M-20 should be aware of related and supporting standards:

• ASTM D8270: Terminology Relating to Cannabis - aligns terms and definitions across practices.
• ISO/IEC 17025: General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories - ensures reliable laboratory operations.
• European Pharmacopoeia 2.8.20: Herbal drugs: sampling and sample preparation - reference for herbal raw material sampling.
• AAFCO GOODSamples: Guidance on Obtaining Defensible Samples - guides sampling in feed and herbal materials.
• USDA Hop Inspection Handbook: Useful for analogies in sample collection methodology for crop materials.

By implementing these best practices from ASTM D8334/D8334M-20, stakeholders in the cannabis and hemp industry can uphold consistent, verifiable sampling, contributing to product safety, regulatory compliance, and consumer trust.

Standards Content (Sample)

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: D8334/D8334M − 20
Standard Practice for
Sampling of Cannabis/Hemp Post-Harvest Batches for
Laboratory Analyses
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8334/D8334M; 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 1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 Cannabis harvested materials require sampling strate-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
gies throughout their life cycle, from cultivation to the end
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
consumer. For purposes of this standard, the term cannabis is
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
inclusive of all cannabis inflorescence, including hemp variet-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ies.Thequalitativeandquantitativecharacteristicsofcannabis/
hemp for human or animal consumption has safety implica-
2. Referenced Documents
tions throughout the life cycle from cultivation to end
consumer. This standard provides best practice procedures and 2.1 ASTM Standards:
protocols for sampling batches of harvested cannabis inflores- D8270 Terminology Relating to Cannabis
cence.Cannabis/hempmaterialsoftenexhibitvariabilityacross
different parts within the same plant or across different plants 3. Terminology
within the same cultivar, or both, (1, 2). Thus, sampling
3.1 Definitions—For general terms related to cannabis, see
strategies are required which yield a representative a sample
Terminology D8270.
across a harvest batch. Representative sampling is required to
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
ensure that the qualitative and quantitative test results accu-
3.2.1 aliquot, n—a discrete quantity of a cannabis/hemp
rately reflect cannabinoid identification, potency, identification
(raw material) inflorescence collected by laboratory personnel/
and concentration of terpenes, concentration of trace metals,
certified/trained sample collectors that shall be combined into
microbiological activity, mycotoxins, and concentration of
representative samples for purposes of testing.
pesticides across the batch.
3.2.2 cannabis, n—a genus of flowering plants within the
1.2 Where procedural aspects of this practice differ from
Cannabaceae family identified by their distinctive glandular
local regulatory or jurisdictional requirements, the local regu-
trichomes, divided serrated leaves, and tough bast fibers.
latory or jurisdictional authority’s directives shall take prece-
dence.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—In this standard, the term cannabis is
used to mean cannabis raw material that includes resin
1.3 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
cannabis, nutritional cannabis, and industrial cannabis, that
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
includes hemp, in a harvested raw material form.
values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equiva-
3.2.3 composite sample, n—a final mixture of all sample
lents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each
aliquots pulled within a specific harvest batch, homogenized,
system shall be used independently of the other, and values
and labelled.
from the two systems shall not be combined.
3.2.4 harvest batch, n—a specifically identified quantity of
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
cannabis inflorescence, that is uniform in cultivar, harvested
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
within a concurrent time frame, and, cultivated using the same
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
pesticides and other agricultural chemicals.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.2.5 inflorescence, n—a group or cluster of flowers ar-
ranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D37 on Cannabis
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D37.03 on Laboratory.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2020. Published November 2020. DOI: For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
10.1520/D8334_D8334M-20. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
this standard. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D8334/D8334M − 20
complicated arrangement of branches. Morphologically, it is 4.2 Harvest batch size for batches of inflorescence shall
the modified part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are have a maximum weight of 6.8 kg [15 lb], unless local
formed. jurisdiction has alternative requirements for maximum batch
size.
4. Summary of Practice
4.3 The sampling protocols in this standard:
4.1 This standard provides best practice procedures and 4.3.1 Apply to harvest batches of cannabis grown indoor or
outdoor;
protocols for sampling cannabis harvest batches to collect
representative samples used for laboratory testing that are 4.3.2 Attempt to minimize harvest lot variation;
representative of an entire harvest batch that is intended for 4.3.3 Requires that all material in a harvest batch comes
human or animal consumption. from the same cultivar;
FIG. 1 Sample Processing Examples
D8334/D8334M − 20
4.3.4 Provides a protocol for collecting a representative 5.2 The laboratory results and their respective harvest batch
sample of each harvest batch according to the appropriate associations have implications and significance to regulatory
schemes; (A or B) (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2); and
requirements, quality control considerations throughout the
4.3.5 Create a composite sample with sufficient material to
product’s life cycle, and the safety of the consumers who may
provide for a sample retain and to accommodate all required
be adversely affected by consumption of product that was not
analyses, and retests if determined necessary by the laboratory.
tested in a homogeneous manner (3).
5. Significance and Use
5.3 This standard does not address the appropriate sampling
of processed cannabis materials such as such as extracts, seeds,
5.1 This standard will provide best practices for the sam-
edibles, topicals, etc.
pling of harvested cannabis inflorescence with the intent to
assure representative sampling.
FIG. 2 Flow Chart of Sampling Procedure
D8334/D8334M − 20
NOTE 1—In extraordinary situations, such as large harvest batches,
5.4 This standard addresses the sampling of cannabis inflo-
sampling may need to span more than one day or multiple sample
rescence destined for human or animal consumption.
collectors, in which case justification shall be noted and the storage of the
5.5 This standard does not address pre-harvest field sam-
harvest batch subject to sampling and sample collector identification shall
be controlled.
pling or large untrimmed or unprocessed harvest batches.
6.3.6 Record all observations and procedures used while
6. General Sampling Considerations
collecting the sample specimens on the appropriate sampling
report.
6.1 Sampling protocols for sampling harvest batches of
cannabis inflorescence, shall include:
6.4 Sampling Report:
6.1.1 All attempts to minimize inhomogeneity shall be
6.4.1 A sampling report completed by the sample collector
practiced and documented.
for the sampling event shall be submitted along with appropri-
6.1.2 All material within a defined harvest batch shall come
ate chain-of-custody (COC) documents with the collected
from the same cultivar.
samples.
6.1.3 All material within a harvest batch will have docu-
6.4.2 The report shall include, at a minimum, the following
mentation indicating the harvest batch was grown within
information:
consistent environmental parameters as defined by the cultiva-
6.4.2.1 Sample collector contact information and affiliation;
tor’s internal environmental parameter specifications including
6.4.2.2 Harvest batch weight;
such elements as:
6.4.2.3 Composite sample weight;
6.1.3.1 Light exposure (indoor cultivar);
6.4.2.4 Reference to sampling protocol utilized;
6.1.3.2 Temperature (indoor cultivar);
6.4.2.5 COC;
6.1.3.3 Humidity (indoor cultivar);
6.4.2.6 Identification of cultivar(s) sampled; and
6.1.3.4 Field dust and wind conditions (outdoor cultivar);
6.4.2.7 Recordoverallcharacteristicsduringthepreliminary
6.1.3.5 Determination of no adjacent grow area contamina-
visually assessment on the sampling report, including:
tion drift (outdoor cultivar); and
(1) Storage/presentation (trays, containers, etc.);
6.1.3.6 Exposure to the same quantity and type of agricul-
(2) Approximate percentage of foreign material present, if
tural chemicals (indoor and outdoor cultivars).
any; and
6.1.3.7 Statement of over-spray drift of potential over adja-
(3) Any other physical or visual characteristics;
cent crop boundaries and appropriate testing in pre-harvest
(4) Sampling locations collected;
potentially affected within overspray zones (outdoor cultivar).
(5) Name of laboratory (third-party or internal) performing
6.2 General Sampling and Homogeneity Checks:
the analyses;
6.2.1 When sampling any harvest batch, the sample collec-
(6) Any additional harvest batch information as denoted
tor shall check for any signs of product heterogeneity (includ-
within this standard; and
ing the presence of seeds or field detritus).
(7) Documentation of the total number of storage contain-
6.2.2 If there are visual signs of spoilage or contamination,
ers that exist for a harvest batch and the number of containers
the harvest batch should be labelled as hazardous and dis-
utilized for sampling.
carded.
6.5 Aseptic Sampling Equipment to be Used in the Sampling
6.2.3 During area sampling, the sample collector shall
Process May Include:
conduct a preliminary assessment of the area to be sampled (if
6.5.1 Tongs;
applicable), draw a sketch of area to be sampled, and note any
6.5.2 A permanent marker or indelible ink pen;
indications of inhomogeneity within the sampling area as well
6.5.3 Corers;
as the global positioning coordinates of field area sampled (if
6.5.4 Scissors,pliers,gardenshears,razorblades,orequiva-
applicable).
lent;
6.2.4 During sampling, the sample collector shall look for,
6.5.5 Global positioning system (GPS) for location report-
andrecordonanappropriatesamplingreport,differencesinthe
ing (if applicable);
...