ASTM D8343/D8343M-21

Standard Practice for Measuring the Physical Properties of Cannabis/Hemp Pre-rolls

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice will specify the baseline physical properties of a pre-roll, including the weight of cannabis herbal material in the pre-roll, the length of the pre-roll, and the diameter of the pre-roll.  
4.2 This practice will provide clarity on the physical properties of cannabis pre-rolls.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice is intended to be used to identify the physical properties of a cannabis/hemp pre-roll.  
1.2 This practice shall apply to pre-rolls made using herbal material(s) from any type of a cannabis plant (that is, cannabis/hemp), regardless of the cannabinoid content. For the sake of brevity, the term “cannabis” shall be used henceforth to refer to any type of cannabis plant (cannabis/hemp).  
1.3 This practice helps to provide clarity on pre-roll preparation and sampling to identify, measure, and report the length, diameter, and weight of cannabis pre-rolls.  
1.4 This practice shall not be applicable to infused cannabis pre-rolls, which are outside the scope of this standard.  
1.5 Units—The values stated in either SI units or United States Customary Units (USC Units) are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. Metric units will be stated as standard and USC units will be shown in brackets relative to the metric units.  
1.6 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.  
1.7 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-Aug-2021
• ICS: 11.120.99 - Other standards related to pharmaceutics
• ICS: 65.020.20 - Plant growing
• Technical Committee: D37 - Cannabis
• Drafting Committee: D37.04 - Processing and Handling

Overview

ASTM D8343/D8343M-21: Standard Practice for Measuring the Physical Properties of Cannabis/Hemp Pre-rolls provides a standardized practice for measuring and reporting the key physical properties of cannabis and hemp pre-rolls. Developed by ASTM International, this standard ensures consistency, clarity, and comparability in how cannabis pre-rolls are characterized within the industry.

This practice outlines the methodology for measuring:

• The weight of cannabis herbal material within pre-rolls
• The length of the pre-roll
• The diameter at both the cannabis end and filter tip

The standard applies to any type of pre-roll manufactured from cannabis or hemp herbal material, regardless of cannabinoid content. However, it explicitly excludes infused cannabis pre-rolls.

Key Topics

• Physical Property Measurement: Methodologies to accurately determine the weight, length, and diameter of cannabis pre-rolls using calibrated, precision instruments.
• Standardization and Clarity: Clear procedures for sample preparation, equipment calibration, data recording, and summary reporting, enabling uniformity across producers and labs.
• Scope and Applicability: Covers all pre-rolls made from cannabis or hemp plants, emphasizing non-infused products only.
• Instrument Guidance: Recommendations for the use and calibration of measuring devices, such as analytical balances, calipers, and micrometers, ensuring high accuracy and repeatability.
• Safety and Compliance: Notes the importance of adhering to appropriate health, safety, and environmental practices, including regulatory compliance based on local jurisdiction requirements.
• Units of Measurement: Specifies the requirement to use either SI units or United States Customary Units, but not both together, to avoid errors or non-conformance.

Applications

The standardized measurement and reporting practices established in ASTM D8343/D8343M-21 offer significant benefits for:

• Manufacturers: Enables consistent product labeling, quality control, packaging, and inventory management by providing reliable data on pre-roll physical properties.
• Testing Laboratories: Delivers clear instructions for sample handling, measurement, and documentation, supporting quality assurance and third-party verification.
• Regulatory Compliance: Helps organizations fulfill requirements for product transparency, traceability, and legal conformity as set by governmental and regulatory bodies.
• Retailers and Distributors: Facilitates uniform product identification for inventory systems, customer information, and inter-state or international trade.
• Consumers: Promotes trust and transparency through accurate labeling of pre-roll size, weight, and composition.

Related Standards

For expanded context or supporting standards within the cannabis industry, consider the following:

• ASTM D8270 - Standard Terminology Relating to Cannabis: Provides definitions and terminology harmonized across cannabis standards.
• ISO/IEC Standards - General standards for laboratory practices and measurement methodologies.
• Other ASTM Cannabis Standards - Additional standards related to cannabis processing, analysis, and product specifications.

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Keywords: ASTM D8343/D8343M-21, cannabis pre-roll standards, hemp pre-roll measurement, physical properties of cannabis pre-rolls, pre-roll weight, pre-roll length, pre-roll diameter, cannabis product quality, standard practice, laboratory testing, cannabis industry compliance, measurement standards, cannabis product labeling, hemp industry standards, pre-roll manufacturing specifications.

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: D8343/D8343M − 21
Standard Practice for
Measuring the Physical Properties of Cannabis/Hemp Pre-
rolls
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8343/D8343M; 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 2.1.1 cannabis end diameter, n—a straight line segment that
passes through the center of the cannabis herbal material side
1.1 This practice is intended to be used to identify the
of the pre-roll circumference at the widest location. (See Fig.
physical properties of a cannabis/hemp pre-roll.
1.)
1.2 This practice shall apply to pre-rolls made using herbal
2.1.2 crutch, n—a small strip of thick paper of which one
material(s) from any type of a cannabis plant (that is, cannabis/
end is folded over alternating the fold direction to form a “W”
hemp), regardless of the cannabinoid content. For the sake of
then rolled into a cylinder.
brevity, the term “cannabis” shall be used henceforth to refer to
2.1.2.1 Discussion—The terms “tip,” “filter tip,” and “filter”
any type of cannabis plant (cannabis/hemp).
are synonymous with “crutch.”
1.3 This practice helps to provide clarity on pre-roll prepa-
2.1.3 diameter measuring device, n—an analogue or elec-
ration and sampling to identify, measure, and report the length,
tronic device used to measure the diameter of an object capable
diameter, and weight of cannabis pre-rolls.
of measuring within 0.1 mm [0.0039 in.] or less.
1.4 This practice shall not be applicable to infused cannabis
2.1.3.1 Discussion—Examples of such devices include, but
pre-rolls, which are outside the scope of this standard.
are not limited, to calipers, verniers, and digital micrometers.
1.5 Units—The values stated in either SI units or United
2.1.4 filter tip diameter, n—a straight line segment that
States Customary Units (USC Units) are to be regarded
passes through the center of the filter side of the pre-roll
separately as standard. The values stated in each system may
circumference. (See Fig. 1.)
not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used
2.1.5 length (L), n—the measurement from one end of the
independently of the other. Combining values from the two
pre-roll to the other along the longest side. (See Fig. 1.)
systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
2.1.6 length measuring device, n—an analogue or electronic
Metric units will be stated as standard and USC units will be
device used to measure the length of an object, capable of
shown in brackets relative to the metric units.
measuring within 0.1 mm [0.0039 in.] or less.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
2.1.6.1 Discussion—The term measuring device is com-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
monly known as an instrument for measuring physical quantity
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
or characteristics and has varying degrees of instrument error
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
andmeasurementuncertainty.Examplesofsuch devicescanbe
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
vernier, dial, and digital calipers.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
2.1.7 pre-roll, n—a prefabricated unit for personal inhala-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the tion via combustion that is typically constructed of a wrapping
paper, a filter, and dried flowers of a cannabis plant.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 2.1.7.1 Discussion—A common synonym for pre-roll is
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. joint.
2.1.8 relative humidity (RH) measuring device, n—a device
2. Terminology
with a humidity sensor or detector used to measure the relative
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
humidity in the air capable of measuring within 65%.
2.1.9 temperature measuring device, n—a device used to
1 measure temperature capable of measuring within 61°C
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D37 on Cannabis
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D37.04 on Processing and
[61.8 °F].
Handling.
2.1.10 tipping paper, n—a binding paper material used to
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2021. Published September 2021. DOI:
10.1520/D8343_D8343M-21. marry the filter and wrapping paper of a pre-roll.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D8343/D8343M − 21
FIG. 1 Schematics of a Pre-roll Showing the Length, Filter Tip, and Cannabis End Diameter
2.1.11 weighing scale, n—a calibrated analytical balance or structions before performing dimensional tests and document
top loading balance used to measure the mass of an object the calibration process.
capable of weighing 65 % of specimen weight or 0.1 g
7.2 Clean and, if necessary, calibrate the weighing scale in
[0.0035 oz], whichever is less.
accordance with manufacturer instructions before performing
2.1.12 weight (W), n—the amount of the cannabis herbal
weight tests and document the calibration process.
material in the pre-roll. (See Fig. 1.)
8. Conditioning
2.1.13 wrapping paper, n—a paper that binds together the
milled cannabis herbal material in a pre-roll.
8.1 Store all pre-rolls in a cool, clean, and safe place before
and after use. Storage and testing room environment tempera-
3. Summary of Practice
tures should be maintained at 23 °C 6 3 °C [73.4 °F 6 5.4 °F]
3.1 This document outlines a practice for preparation,
and 55 6 10 % relative humidity.Additionally, pre-rolls should
sampling, and measuring the physical properties of a pre-roll,
be stored as in accordance with the jurisdiction having over-
including length, diameter, and weight. Length is measured by
sight for the storage of cannabis. If the recommended tempera-
using a length measuring device from filter tip end to cannabis
ture and humidity guidelines conflict with local regulations,
end tip of a pre-roll. The filter tip and cannabis end diameter
local regulations shall be used, and prevail. The temperatur
...