GACP Certification in Cannabis: What is it and how it is applied in cultivation?

The cannabis and medical cannabis industry is growing at an unstoppable pace globally. As markets open up and production becomes more professional, regulatory and quality requirements are also increasing. In this context, Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) are positioned as a fundamental basis for ensuring the safety and efficacy of cannabis used for medicinal purposes.

This framework not only affects large producers, but also brands that offer derivative products, such as those you can find when buying CBD flowers online in specialized stores that are committed to quality and traceability from the origin.

In this article we explain in detail what GACPs are, how they apply to medical cannabis cultivation, what benefits they offer and how they can help you access international markets.

What is GACP and why is it important in cannabis?

GACP stands for Good Agricultural and Collection Practices. It is a set of guidelines published by the WHO (World Health Organization) that establishes how medicinal plants, including cannabis, should be grown and harvested to ensure their quality, safety and traceability.

These practices are essential in the production of medical cannabis, as they help to avoid contamination, ensure the homogeneity of the final product and comply with the quality regulations required by many countries.

GACP vs GMP: how do they differ?

It is common to confuse GACP with cannabis GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices). Although the two are complementary, they are applied at different stages of the production process:

• GACP focuses on plant cultivation, harvesting and initial storage.
• GMP focuses on the processes of the harvested plant, in the transformation process (extraction, formulation, packaging, labeling).

In short, GACP ensures quality in the field; GMP ensures quality in the laboratory and factory. To operate legally and guarantee a high quality product, both are essential.

GACP certification for cannabis producers

Although GACP is a guideline, many countries require compliance as a regulatory requirement for medical cannabis producers. Obtaining GACP certification allows you to demonstrate that your product meets international quality standards and can be exported or processed under GMP processes.

The certification process includes:

• Initial diagnosis and compliance audit
• Implementation of improvements and staff training
• External audit by a certifying entity
• Issuance of the GACP certificate

In day-to-day professional farming, many producers already apply practices aligned with the GACP: they take care of hygiene, document processes and control each stage of cultivation, fulfilling the objective of offering a quality product. However, obtaining official certification can be a financial and bureaucratic challenge. The GACP certification process involves audits, external evaluations and, in many cases, adapting infrastructure. All this involves an investment that can be considerable, especially for small and medium-sized projects. It is therefore not uncommon for some growers to follow good practices without taking the step of certification, at least in the first phase.

How to apply GACP to cannabis cultivation?

Implementing GACP in a medical cannabis cultivation requires detailed planning, rigorous monitoring and staff training. Below, we explain the key points:

1. Site selection and environmental conditions

The first step in complying with the GACP is to select a clean site with uncontaminated soil, good water availability and suitable climatic conditions. It is essential to avoid areas close to sources of contamination.

2. Quality of plant material

It is essential to use certified seeds or pathogen-free cuttings that guarantee genetic uniformity and stable levels of cannabinoids and terpenes.

3. Pest and disease control

The GACP recommends an integrated pest management (IPM) approach, which combines biological, mechanical and cultural practices, minimizing the use of chemical pesticides. If products are used, they must be permitted and documented.

4. Staff training and supervision

All personnel should be trained in safe agricultural practices, hygiene control, traceability and cannabis-specific procedures. The tasks of each worker must be recorded.

5. Harvesting, drying and storage

Harvesting should be done at the optimum moment of maturity, avoiding contamination. Drying should be carried out in clean and controlled spaces, and storage should avoid product degradation.

6. Registration and documentation

GACP requires a complete traceability system, with records of all activities, from soil preparation to delivery of the product to the GMP stage. This documentation is key for audits and certifications.

Benefits of implementing GACP in your cannabis crop

Adopting Good Agricultural and Harvesting Practices is not only a legal requirement in many markets, but also a competitive advantage. Among the most important benefits are:

• Access to international markets: many countries only accept products that comply with GACP and GMP.
• Improved product quality: potency, purity and safety of medical cannabis are guaranteed.
• Increased customer and regulator confidence: by having a documented, transparent and audited system.
• Risk reduction: errors, contamination and losses are minimized.
• More sustainable production: practices that respect the environment and human health are promoted.

Each country has its own national accreditation body responsible for supervising and accrediting certification bodies operating in its territory.

Case Study: GACP cannabis certification success story

A good example is Botanicanns S.A., an Argentine company that in 2023 became the first in its country to obtain GACP certification according to WHO and EMEA standards. Thanks to this, it was able to access commercial agreements with European companies and position itself as a benchmark in the production of high quality medical cannabis inflorescences.

Main challenges of the GACP (and how to overcome them)

Although the benefits are clear, implementing GACP also brings with it certain challenges:

• Initial costs: adapting the infrastructure, training personnel and setting up control systems has a cost. However, it is an investment with a high return in the medium term.
• Administrative burden: documentation is extensive, but there is software that automates records and traceability.
• Constant updating: regulations evolve, so a knowledgeable team and flexible processes are needed.

The key to overcoming them is to plan well, rely on expert consultants and use digital tools that facilitate compliance.

Conclusion

Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) are much more than a technical requirement: they are the starting point for any cannabis crop that aspires to be professional, safe and competitive. Applying them from the beginning allows the production of medical cannabis with quality, traceability and safety guarantees. But not only that: they are also key for those who grow high quality hemp, destined for premium products such as CBD oils, natural cosmetics or wellness.

A GACP-compliant producer opens doors to demanding international markets, improves the sustainability of your production and conveys confidence to both customers and regulators.