Some of the world’s leading cannabis companies have signed up to a new charter aiming to support the growth of a green and responsible industry.
The call to develop a socially and environmental responsible cannabis industry by The Global Cannabis Partnership (GCP) was made at the second World Cannabis Congress in Canada, earlier this week.
GCP’s members include world-leading cannabis players such as North American firms Canopy Growth, Cronos, The Green Organic Dutchman and Aphria.
Responsible Cannabis Framework
They, and other members organisations, have agreed to a new a corporate social responsibility standard – the Responsible Cannabis Framework (RCF) – which aims to support the ethical development of the worldwide cannabis industry, says the GCP in a press release.
GCP’s Executive Director Kim Wilson said: ”We’re building an industry for the future. It’s one thing to have a legal license to operate; earning and keeping a social license is another story. We have a long road ahead of us, but today’s announcement is an important step in the right direction.”
Rick Petersen, a leading corporate responsibility expert and author of the Framework, says it aims to use best practices from within and outside the industry.
“The RCF was developed through extensive research and consultation with a variety of stakeholders. We knew that we could rely on the experience of other industries, while at the same time coming up with the right steps to meet the challenges in our specific sector.”
Reinforcing Ethical Conduct
All RCF members have signed four guiding principles; responsibility, collaboration, transparency and continuous improvement. All have up to a year to complete work necessary to apply for the certification categories.
Membership requirements include; minimizing greenhouse gas emissions; promoting responsible use, and reinforcing ethical conduct.
Ms Wilson went on to say the response from the industry has been ‘very positive’. She continued: “Whether they are CEOs, regulators, new entrants to the space or consumers, all recognize that by working together we’re in a unique position to set a new bar for socially responsible practices.”
Founded by Revolution Strategy, the GCP is a not-for-profit collaboration of leaders in the government-sanctioned cannabis industry.
