FOCUS Standards – Cultivation
To download the complete FOCUS Standards click here.
Overview
FOCUS Standards form the foundation for a rigorous, comprehensive quality and safety system that provides cannabis business owners, consumers, regulators and the public with a single, concise, accepted standard that protects public health and consumer safety, and safeguards the environment.
FOCUS Standards are developed according to internationally accepted voluntary consensus processes to ensure robust, impartial standards. Volunteer members of FOCUS Standards development committees include professionals from the cannabis industry, regulatory agencies, quality assurance, occupational safety, medical services, law enforcement, education, science and research, consumers, patients and the public.
Scope
This FOCUS Standard provides direction for cannabis cultivation operations to meet safety and quality requirements.
This document uses the word operation to indicate a cannabis company, business, facility, laboratory or individual location that is applying the FOCUS Standard.
The terms must and shall are used interchangeably to indicate requirements; the terms should, could, may and can are used to indicate flexibility or to provide examples.
The standards identify job titles for specific responsibilities to add clarity. The organization’s job descriptions, work assignments and training will define each worker’s actual title and responsibilities. Depending on an operation’s size and structure, one worker may cover several roles (or job titles) to meet a requirement.
1. Management Summary
A. Management Capability
B. Product Quality
C. Health and Safety
D. Security
E. Procedures and Training
F. Regulatory Compliance
G. Organization Structure
2. Business Practices
A. Goal Setting
B. Business Assessments
C. Licenses and Permits
D. Business Insurance
E. Accounting Standards
F. Operational Controls
G. Document Controls
H. Advertising Methods
I. Records Management
J. Records Inventory List
2.1 Fair Labor Practices
A. Fair Labor Standards
B. Workplace Discrimination
C. Work Contracts
D. Worker Policies
E. Workers Compensation Insurance
F. Worker Data
2.2 Social Sustainability
A. Community Relations
B. ADA Compliance
C. Business Certifications
D. Cannabis Industry Support
2.3 Crisis Management
A. Crisis Management Plan
B. Crisis Plan Training and Testing
3. Training
A. Worker Training Program
B. Hygiene Training
C. Quality Control Training
D. Training Manager
E. Comprehensive Training Materials
F. Regulatory and Law Enforcement Interaction
G. Product Quality Expertise
4. Worker Practices
A. Worker Cleanliness
B. Hand Sanitation
C. Wounds and Infections
D. Protective Clothing
E. Prohibited Items
F. Eating and Drinking
G. Smoking and Tobacco Products
H. Control of Drug Use
I. Violence and Weapons
J. GAP/GMP Signage
5. Health and Safety
A. Health and Safety Program
B. Health and Safety Risk Assessment
C. Health and Safety Procedures and Training
D. Health and Safety Manager
E. Personal Protective Equipment
F. Safety Signage
G. Accident or Emergency Procedures
H. First Aid
I. Eyewash Stations
J. Protection from UV Light Exposure
6. Security
A. Security Program
B. CPTED Approach
C. Security Risk Assessment
D. Security Qualifications
E. Security Training
F. Security of Records
G. Security Incident Reporting
H. Background Checks
6.1 Physical Security
A. Physical Barriers
B. Grounds and External Areas
C. Door Locks
D. Facility Access Controls
E. Restricted Area Access Controls
F. Visitor Access Controls
G. Product Controls
H. Theft/Product Loss Plan
I. Cash Management
6.2 Alarm Systems
A. Facility Alarm System
B. Alarm Monitoring
C. Motion Detection
D. Panic Buttons
E. Alarm System Maintenance
6.3 Video Surveillance
A. Video Monitoring
B. Video Recording Security
C. Video Quality and Coverage
D. Continuous Video Monitoring
E. Video Retention
F. Video System Maintenance
6.4 Transport Security
A. Transportation Security Procedures
B. Transport Manager
C. Transport Agents
D. Transport Agent Credentials
E. Delivery Route Process
F. Shipment Invoice
G. Transport Packaging
H. Transport Vehicle Controls
7. Product Quality
A. Quality Management System
B. Land or Site Assessment
C. Buildings and Facilities
D. Environmental Controls
E. Hazard Control Plan – HACCP
F. Production Hazard Analysis
G. Production Flow Chart
H. Product Classification and Control
I. Product Specifications
J. Control of Contaminants
K. Production Records
L. Yield Analysis and Reconciliation
M. Product Rejection Process
N. Quarantined Products and Materials
O. Corrective Action Plans
P. Cannabis Inventory
8. Production Equipment
A. Equipment Management
B. Equipment Design
C. Equipment Calibration
D. Product Containers
E. Utensils and Tools
9. Propagation Materials
A. Strain Identity
B. Detailed Strain Information
C. Seeds
D. Treatments to Plant Materials
E. Genetically Modified Organisms
10. Soil and Grow Mediums
A. Soil Analysis or Composition Profile
B. Heavy Metals Analysis
C. Analysis for Organic Amendments
D. Sustainable Sourcing
E. Use or Reuse of Soil
11. Irrigations and Water Use
A. Water Use Plan
B. Water Use Risk Assessment
C. Water Source
D. Water Quality Analysis
E. Irrigation Records
F. Irrigation System Efficiency
G. Leak Detection
H. Humidity Control
I. Drought Management
J. Environmental System Flush
K. Rainwater Harvesting
12. Pest Control
A. Pest Management Plan
B. Pest Contamination Inspections
C. Pest Control Devices
D. Non-Chemical Pest Controls
E. Domestic Animals
13. Agricultural Inputs
A. Using Agricultural Inputs
B. Worker Safety and Training
C. Pre-Harvest Intervals
D. Inputs Inventory
E. Plant Treatment Records
F. Application Site
G. Measuring Equipment
H. Inputs Storage
I. Spill Control
J. Used Containers
K. Composting
L. CO2 Enriched Environment
M. Plant Growth Regulators
N. Pesticide Phase Out
14. Environmental Sustainability
A. Sustainability Plan
B. Carbon Footprint Reduction
C. Lighting Efficiency
D. HVAC Efficiency
E. Minimizing of Energy Intensity
F. Use of Renewable Power
G. Efficient Use of Equipment
H. Use of Petroleum Generators
I. Eliminate CO2 Enrichment
15. Harvest Practices
A. Pre-Operations Inspections
B. Harvest Procedures
C. Cross Contamination Procedures
D. Handling and Packing Areas
E. Drying
F. Trimming
G. Final Curing – Post-Harvest Treatments
H. Final Quality Control
I. Post-Harvest Biological Decontamination
16. Product Testing
A. Product Testing Plan
B. Sampling Procedures
C. Test Lab Standards
D. Allowable Thresholds
E. Microbiological Testing
F. Metals
G. Pesticide Residue
H. Potency and Cannabinoid Profile
I. Contamination and Filth
J. Test Results Analysis
K. Batch Monitoring
L. Test Records
17. Packaging and Labeling
A. Packaging and Labeling Specifications
B. Labeling Protocol
C. Warning Labels
D. Exit Packaging
E. Child Resistant Packaging
F. Tamper Evident Packaging
18. Traceability and Recall
A. Traceability System
B. Product Recall Program
C. Recall Mock Test
D. Complaints Procedure
19. Product Storage
A. Product Storage
B. Storage Area Access Control
C. Quarantined Material Segregation
D. Storage Area Construction
E. Cleaning
F. Pest Control
20. Receiving and Transport
A. Product Transfers
B. Supplier Qualifications
C. Incoming Goods Inspection
D. Vehicle Inspections
E. Sealed Trailers and Trucks
F. Contract Carriers
21. Facility Maintenance
A. Facility Maintenance Plan
B. Plumbing Contamination
C. Ventilation and Exhaust Fans
D. Foot Disinfectant Dips
E. Grounds Maintenance
F. Hazardous Materials
22. Sanitation and Cleaning
A. Sanitation Procedures and Training
B. Master Sanitation Schedule
C. Cleaning Equipment and Supplies
D. Cleaning Equipment Identification
E. General Cleanliness
F. Sanitation Logs
G. Flood Drain Cleaning
H. Swab Testing
I. Product Protection During Cleaning
23. Sanitary Facilities
A. Toilet and Handwashing Facilities
B. Secondary Hand Sanitation Stations
C. Ware-Washing Sink
D. Drinking Water
E. Changing Area
24. Waste Management
A. Waste Management Plan
B. Hazardous Materials Disposal
C. Minimize Landfill Waste
D. Sustainable Packaging
E. Cannabis Waste Disposal
F. Waste Container Control