FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2026
Colorado Springs, Colo. – The S3 Collective, a national nonprofit organization advancing the cannabis industry through collaboration, education, and standardization, announced today that it has secured funding to commission a consumer study evaluating the International Intoxicating Cannabinoid Product Symbol established in ASTM D8441/D8441M-22.
The study will include a consumer survey conducted through NORC at the University of Chicago in collaboration with the Cannabis Policy Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Doctors for Drug Policy Reform. The survey will assess how consumers recognize and interpret the symbol as an identifier for products containing intoxicating cannabinoids.
“In cannabis research, policy, and public health circles there is a resounding refrain that standardization is critical,” said Riana Durrett, Director of the UNLV Cannabis Policy Institute. “This project is starting at one of the most basic and needed areas of standardization, which is how do we effectively communicate that a product is intoxicating in a way that people across the country will recognize. S3 Collective and D4DPR have led this effort and I look forward to working with them on this and other helpful standardization projects in the future.”
ASTM D8441/D8441M-22, Standard Specification for International Symbol for Identifying Consumer Products Containing Intoxicating Cannabinoids, establishes an international symbol for products containing intoxicating cannabinoids at a quantity or concentration for which an authority having jurisdiction deems a warning necessary. The standard applies to finished products intended for consumer use, including topical, ingested, inhaled and other product forms.
The research will generate evidence about how consumers understand a symbol intended to provide a consistent visual identifier across product types. The findings could help researchers, regulators, public health professionals and standards developers understand how the symbol functions in consumer communication and could inform future work on labeling and consistent product identification.
Initial findings are expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, and the project team intends to prepare a peer-reviewed paper for publication in 2027. Publication could make the findings available for scientific review and future regulatory, public health and standards work.
ASTM D8441/D8441M-22 was developed through ASTM International’s voluntary consensus process, and the study findings may be considered in future standards work.
Academic researchers and professors working on cannabis, cannabinoids, hemp, labeling, consumer communication or standards research may contact S3 Collective at [email protected].
About S3 Collective
The S3 Collective is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to advancing the cannabis, hemp, and botanical industries through collaboration, education, and standardization. By assisting in the development of robust standards, fostering open communication channels, and providing scientifically validated resources, S3 Collective empowers stakeholders to make informed decisions that promote public health and safety. S3 Collective is the first cannabis-related nonprofit to participate in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Network of Experts program.
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