[Japan First] Dispensary Japan, JRW, Anresco, and Authorized Cannabinoid Sign MOU to Build a Regulatory Distribution Framework for Synthetic Cannabinoid Raw Materials

Dispensary Japan Inc. (Representative: Wataru Matsufuji, Head Office: Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, hereafter "DJ"), Anresco, Inc. (Representative: Zachly Eisenberg, Head Office: California, USA, hereafter "Anresco"), General Incorporated Association Authorized Cannabinoid (Directors: Yuya Murata, Shunji Kurihara, Fumitaka Sekioka, hereafter "AC"), and JRW Holdings LLC (Representative: Jon Willcox, Head Office: Michigan, USA, hereafter "JRW") have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding a legitimate cannabinoid distribution framework in Japan.

This agreement clarifies the roles and standards of the four parties to address structural quality issues in the Japanese cannabinoid market—specifically, the disguising of raw material origins through the misuse of Certificates of Analysis (COA). By linking JRW’s batch identification information with Anresco’s testing records, they will build a mechanism that allows the market to distinguish between "Tested by Anresco" and "Tested by Anresco and confirmed as authentic JRW product" for the first time.

Currently, DJ, which supplies JRW raw materials to the Japanese market, and AC, which approves them, are the only entities operating within this framework. Businesses can access this legitimate supply chain through DJ.

This agreement is a milestone in ensuring the transparency and credibility of the entire supply chain from academic and legal perspectives.

■ Background: Quality issues facing the Japanese cannabinoid market
Due to the December 2024 revision of the Cannabis Control Act, legality in the Japanese market cannot be guaranteed solely by the existence of a COA. Meanwhile, there are cases where synthetic cannabinoids of unknown origin are distributed as authentic products, damaging the credibility of the entire industry. The essence of the problem lies in the lack of a mechanism to prove "who" tested the product and "with what" raw materials. This framework closes this gap.

■ Framework Structure
・Manufacturer | JRW Holdings LLC | Provides batch identification information, enabling authenticity verification.
・Testing Institution | Anresco, Inc. | Issues ISO/IEC 17025-compliant COAs and establishes manufacturing linkage protocols.
・Certifying Body | General Incorporated Association Authorized Cannabinoid | Formulates membership standards, conducts reviews, and provides industry certification and guarantees for participants.
・Authorized Distributor | Dispensary Japan Inc. | Legitimate import and domestic supply of JRW raw materials; maintains and guarantees batch-level transaction records.

■ Preparing for June 2026 regulations: CBN handling obligations
From June 1, 2026, CBN (Cannabinol) will be designated as a controlled substance. Sellers will be required to keep transaction books and submit periodic reports. The four participating companies will handle these management and reporting obligations at the same level as their existing regulatory compliance track record. DJ has a system in place to maintain records detailing which business received which batch number and in what quantity.