The consumer demand for cannabis inhalables (i.e., flower, vapes, or infused pre-rolls) is growing. According to BDSA consumer data, 51 percent of cannabis consumers prefer inhalables. And as such, the importance of understanding how to create the safest, highest-quality products is paramount.
With this growing demand comes a unique opportunity for cannabis brands to lead with science-backed formulations and thoughtful product development. A key component of that work is toxicology: the scientific study of how substances interact with the human body. While often behind the scenes, toxicology plays a critical role in ensuring that inhalable cannabis products are both effective and safe for consumers.
Below is a deeper look into the invisible science of inhalable toxicology and what cannabis brands need to know to help their products stay compliant, safe, and consumer-conscious.
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What is Toxicology in Cannabis?
At its core, toxicology is the study of how different substances affect the body based on how they are used and how much exposure occurs over time. The principles are universal, regardless of the industry. In cannabis, toxicology is especially important for inhalable products because inhalation bypasses metabolic processes, exposing the consumer directly to the full dose of a compound. In contrast, ingestion allows the body to metabolize and often neutralize potentially harmful substances before they enter the bloodstream. This makes it especially important to assess how ingredients behave when inhaled or used consistently over long periods.
While cannabis flower has been consumed for centuries, today’s products involve far more variables—especially when they include added ingredients such as flavorants, carriers, and other compounds that are used in vape formulations. By understanding how these ingredients interact with the body through inhalation, brands can formulate more responsibly and confidently.
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What to Consider When Developing Inhalable Products
To support respiratory health and consumer safety, it’s important to evaluate key toxicological considerations:
- Respiratory Effects: Some ingredients may cause mild irritation or sensitivity with repeated exposure. Identifying these effects early helps improve formulations and user experience.
- Chemical Changes with Heat: When heated, some ingredients may transform into different compounds. Understanding these thermal changes allows brands to avoid ingredients that could form undesirable byproducts.
- Cumulative Exposure: Long-term use of inhalable products means some users are exposed to certain ingredients daily. Toxicology helps determine acceptable thresholds for regular use.
These factors aren’t cause for alarm; they’re simply part of the evolving science that supports safer innovation. Just as other industries have matured with safety testing and standards, cannabis is now stepping into that next phase of responsible growth.
Decades of cannabis prohibition have left regulators without the benefit of a deep, standardized body of research or the support of federal agencies that typically guide ingredient safety in other industries. As a result, the regulation of terpene blends and other exogenous additives has emerged in a fragmented and inconsistent way.
While well-intentioned, these varied approaches often fail to effectively protect consumer health without placing undue restrictions on manufacturers. A more effective path forward would be to require that all ingredient additives meet standardized, science-based safety frameworks, striking a necessary balance between public health and the continued innovation and growth of the cannabis industry. Those frameworks haven’t existed—until now.
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The Role of ASTM Inhalation Standards
To address gaps in safety data and regulation, a collaborative team of scientists from both industry and academia–including Echoleah Rufer, Ph.D., DABT (formerly PAX Labs), Robert M. Strongin, Ph.D. (Portland State University), David M. Faulkner, Ph.D. (formerly PAX Labs), and myself—developed a science-based safety framework for inhalable cannabis products. This foundational work informed the creation of two ASTM International safety standards, which now serve as critical tools to help manufacturers, regulators, and operators evaluate ingredient safety with scientific rigor.
ASTM Standard 1: Data Collection and Applicability
This standard walks users through how to collect and assess existing scientific data on individual ingredients. For instance, if studies show that rats exposed to a compound via inhalation for 90 days experience no harm, that data is more relevant than a short-term oral study. Since cannabis consumers are often long-term users, data reflecting chronic exposure is key.
ASTM Standard 2: Toxicological Risk Assessment
Once applicable data is selected, this second standard guides toxicological calculations. These determine a maximum acceptable usage limit, often expressed as a percentage of the final formulation. This process includes estimating daily exposure, applying uncertainty (or safety) factors, and taking a conservative approach to risk mitigation. The resulting limit reflects a threshold under which the compound is expected to pose negligible risk, even with daily use over many years.
By adopting these standards, cannabis brands can make informed decisions based on real data, rather than assumptions or incomplete regulatory direction.
Setting the Industry Standard
Adopting these practices may take time and investment, but the benefits are significant. Brands that take proactive steps today are positioning themselves as leaders in product safety and consumer trust. At True Terpenes, implementation of these standards has provided a strong foundation for formulation decisions, guiding everything from product development to communication with regulators and partners.
While no system is perfect, science-driven frameworks like those from ASTM offer a practical path forward, balancing innovation, regulation, and consumer safety.
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Looking Ahead: Responsible Innovation in Inhalables
As the cannabis industry grows, so too does the complexity of the challenges surrounding cannabis products.. Toxicology isn’t about fear; it’s about foresight. It’s a tool that empowers brands to innovate with confidence, knowing their products are formulated with care, intention, and scientific backing.
By embracing evidence-based standards, cannabis companies can continue to bring exciting new products to market while reinforcing their commitment to quality and safety. Through using rigorous frameworks like ASTM standards, cannabis brands can ensure that their products are responsibly formulated for long-term use.
The cannabis industry has an opportunity to lead by example, creating products that honor the plant’s benefits while respecting the science behind safe consumption. Inhalable safety may be invisible to the eye, but its importance is crystal clear.
*This article was submitted by a guest contributor. The author is solely responsible for the content.