Cannabis use is a practice considered haram (banned) by many Muslims around the world. However, a halal certification could change that.

Halal hemp is a Halal-certified direct-to-consumer CBD marketplace serving Muslim consumers. oC founder Ishaq Ali and Tengku Chanela Jamidah envisage halal certification to cater to a market of three billion people, Forbes noted.

Unlocking a $3 trillion economy

“In order for this audience to feel safe about consuming a product, Muslims typically want to see that it has been verified by a religious council and checked for safety and consistency with their religious beliefs,” Ali said journalist Andrew DeAngelo.

“Our main activities are divided into consulting and certification services, organizing educational programs and conferences, and building a platform for halal certified brands to reach a Muslim audience through ours marketplaceadded Ali, who was born and raised in Fresno, California, into a Muslim household.

Ali stated that “the halal market is a $3 trillion economy” and “halal certification is one of the most affordable consumer-facing certifications available in the market.”

Additionally, based on his previous experience in politics for Eaze, Ali noted that “Cannabis brands in particular are barred from USDA organic certifications (…) due to a federal ban, allowing halal certification to serve as an alternative (…) halal certified (. ..) appeal to vegan consumers [and] are more CO2 friendly.”