GACP

Good Agricultural and Harvesting Practices for Cannabis Plants in Thailand

Effective cultivation and harvesting of cannabis plants are fundamental to ensuring that cannabis-based herbal products meet medical standards. This involves the elimination of chemical residues and contamination in the growing areas. The primary standard fostering confidence in the production process and ensuring the quality and safety of cannabis herbs is the Guidelines on Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP). This standard serves as a framework for farmers, ensuring the safety of raw herbal materials and enabling their processing to achieve international certification.

Certification for Good Agricultural and Harvesting Practices for Cannabis Plants in Thailand

Certification by the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine signifies that the cultivation of cannabis plants adheres to medical standards. Besides meeting organic agricultural standards, cultivation must also comply with the GACP certification process to elevate standards to the global level.

Key Points About GACP Certification:

  • Certification Objective: GACP certification does not guarantee the complete absence of chemical residues in products. However, the Department may conduct residue testing in cases of suspected illegal agricultural chemical use or potential contamination risks.
  • Consumer Confidence: Certification assures consumers of genuine organic products and protects GACP-compliant operators, as only certified operators can use the GACP logo on their packaging.

Certification Requirements

Operators seeking GACP certification must adhere to the following key requirements:

  1. Record-Keeping: Maintain comprehensive records, including the purchase and use of inputs, farm activities, sales of organic products, and relevant documents like receipts.
  2. Document Storage: Retain documents such as raw material certificates, purchase orders, stock records, processing records, cleaning logs, pest control logs, and complaint records for at least five years.
  3. Inspection Access: Permit officials to inspect documents, cultivation sites, operational facilities, and storage areas without prior notice.
  4. Reporting Changes: Notify the Department immediately of any changes in production, such as new plant varieties, cultivation areas, or deviations from GACP standards.
  5. Subcontractor Management: If production is outsourced, the operator must establish contracts requiring subcontractors to comply with GACP standards and allow inspections.
  6. Expense Responsibility: Operators must cover the Department’s inspection expenses and laboratory analysis costs when applicable.

Application for GACP Certification

Operators can apply for GACP certification for cannabis cultivation or primary processing. Application materials, including the GACP criteria, application forms, and standard operating procedure (SOP) manuals, can be downloaded from the Department’s website. Applications must include a production plan and supporting documents and may be submitted by mail or email.

Inspection Process

The Department conducts three types of inspections:

  1. Initial Inspection: The most critical assessment is conducted upon application.
  2. Annual Inspection: Regular reviews for compliance.
  3. Special Inspection: Conducted in response to complaints or additional certification requests, with or without prior notice.

The inspection involves:

  • Interviews with responsible personnel.
  • Site visits to cultivation or processing areas.
  • Examination of production processes, records, and labeling systems.
  • Traceability checks and inventory audits.

Certification Outcome

After evaluation, the Department will decide whether the operator meets the GACP standard. Certified operators receive a notification letter and, upon acknowledgment, a GACP certification valid for 1–3 years. Non-compliance with standards may result in immediate suspension of certification.

Operators wishing to expand cultivation, relocate, or export GACP-certified products must notify the Department and apply for additional certification or supporting documents as needed.

resources: Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine