For decades, cannabis has operated under rules shaped more by prohibition than by modern agricultural or food standards. That legacy still shows up today. Even as hemp-derived cannabinoids are legally produced and sold across the country, the industry is navigating a fragmented system with unclear definitions, inconsistent enforcement, and wide swings in quality from one product to the next.

At this stage in the industry’s development, the challenge is not demand. It is the lack of shared standards and a regulatory foundation. At Superior Molecular, we believe stronger standards and clearer regulations are not a threat to cannabis. They are the next step towards long-term credibility and growth.

The Limits of a Prohibition-Era System

Prohibition did more than restrict access to cannabis. It prevented the industry from building the basic infrastructure that supports legitimate agricultural and food commodities. In established categories such as corn, soy, hops, alcohol, and food additives, there are enforceable definitions, shared quality benchmarks, and regulatory oversight. These systems make it possible for products to be valued, insured, traded, and trusted at scale.

Hemp-derived cannabinoids are still catching up. Today, a product can be labeled “hemp” with little consistency around how it was grown, processed, tested, or formulated. Without clear, enforceable standards, there is no reliable baseline for quality or safety and no meaningful way for consumers or partners to compare one product to another.

This gap is compounded by a widely held but incorrect assumption that cannabis products are subject to the same basic protections as food or pharmaceuticals. According to a 2022 study conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of SIPCA, nearly 80% of American cannabis consumers believe cannabis products are produced using consistent safety standards, regardless of where they are legally purchased.

From the 2018 Farm Bill to state-level rule changes, hemp-derived cannabinoid regulation has developed in a fragmented and inconsistent way. While the Farm Bill legalized hemp, it did not establish clear federal standards for processing, testing, labeling, or enforcement. As a result, products like delta-8 THC are sold in a variety of communities without quality and safety requirements.

That lack of clarity does not just confuse consumers. It holds the industry back.

Why Standards Matter for Responsible Operators

For operators doing things the right way, this environment creates real friction. Investing in compliant sourcing, robust testing protocols, documentation, and formulation discipline takes time and resources. Yet without consistent oversight, those efforts are often invisible on the shelf and compete directly with products that cut corners or operate in regulatory gray zones.

Clear regulations establish a shared language across the supply chain. They define what a product actually is. Just as importantly, they define what it is not. They introduce accountability where it has been missing. They also give responsible manufacturers the ability to differentiate themselves based on quality, safety, and performance rather than price or marketing claims.

For any agricultural commodity to be valued, there must be a reliable basis for comparison. That starts with standards.

Regulation Enables Innovation + Sustainability

One of the most persistent misconceptions in cannabis is that regulation stifles innovation. In practice, the opposite is true. What slows innovation is uncertainty. When expectations around safety, labeling, and formulation are inconsistent or change depending on who is asking, teams spend more time navigating ambiguity than improving products.

Clear standards allow:

• Manufacturers to innovate with confidence, knowing ingredients will perform consistently
• Brands to scale without rebuilding compliance in every market
• Retailers to stock products with greater trust
• Consumers to enjoy safer, more consistent products that are accurately labeled and deliver the experience they expect

Long-term sustainability requires transparency, and everyone benefits when the rules are understood. Consumers need confidence that products are safe and labeled accurately. Regulators need visibility into how products are made and marketed. Businesses need a predictable environment where investments in quality are rewarded rather than undercut.

The Path Forward

The cannabis industry is no longer emerging. It is maturing. With that maturity comes the responsibility to build systems that support consistency, accountability, and long-term growth.

Clear standards and smart regulations are not about limiting opportunity. They create a foundation where real operators can thrive, innovation can flourish, and cannabis can step fully into the modern marketplace. Consumers gain confidence in the products they use, regulators gain clarity in oversight, and businesses are rewarded for investing in quality and safety.

At Superior Molecular, we have built our business around this future, even when it required more effort and higher standards. The industry now has the opportunity to do the same—and in doing so, unlock its full potential.