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.

GCP’s members include world-leading cannabis players such as North American firms Canopy Growth, Cronos, The Green Organic Dutchman and Aphria.

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. 

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. 

GCP’s Executive Director Kim Wilson said 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.