502 Cannabis Infused Processing Professional Education SAMPLE
502 Cannabis Infused Processing Professional Education SAMPLE
502 Cannabis Infused Processing Professional Education SAMPLE
Cannabis Infused
Processing
Chapter 314-55 WAC
Professional Education Series
by James Chaney
Copyright 2014 by Dream Cream Design
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by
any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the pri-
or written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and
certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher,
addressed Attention: Useage Request, at the contact below:
[email protected]
Ordering Information:
Quantity sales. Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others.
For details, contact the publisher at the address above.
Printed in the United States of America
Table of Contents
About the Author - Page 3
Introduction - Page 4
Processor Specifc WSLCB Requirements - Page 5
Drying, Curing & Trimming
Automatic Trimming - Page 12
Manual Trimming - Page 14
Sample Manual Trimming Line - Page 16
Drying - Page 17
Curing - Page 18
Measuring and Packaging
Scales & Measurements - Page 19
Weighing and Measuring Devices Addendum Form - Page 20
Scale Choices - Page 21
Codes & Rule Violation Penalties - Page 22
Packaging - Page 23
Commercial Packaging Solutions - Page 24
Labeling - Page 27
FDA & WSLCB Label Requirements
FDA Labeling Requirements - Page 28
Dietary Supplement Requirements - Page 29
WSLCB Labeling Requirements & Tracking - Page 30
Extraction Area Systems
Concentrates Processing - Page 32
Solventless Hash - Page 33
Packaging C02, BHO & Solventless Hash - Page 35
WSDA & Food Processing
Liquor Control Board Interim Policy - 36
WSDA Food Processing - Page 37
Food Regulation Common Requirements - Page 38
Shelf Stable Edibles - Page 39
Cannabis Alchemy
Cannabis Infusion - Page 40
Temperature and Time - Page 41
Parameters - Page 42
Processor Seminar Workshop - Page 43
3
About Author Jim Chaney
Coming from IT and Marketing backgrounds, Jim has been working in the medical cannabis industry for the
past 4 years with considerable results in the edible and design sectors. He is the founder of processing and logis-
tics company Dream Cream whose product line includes popular cannabis infused cofees known as Cafe Sativa.
Te company specializes in processing based on solventless hash extraction and vegetable fat infusions. Jim also
serves the cannabis market as a consultant providing branding, packaging, FDA compliant labeling and logistic
services to a wide portfolio of established medical and 502 businesses.
Jim has been working with the Coalition for Cannabis Standards & Ethics for the past three years helping to
manage marketing and push the envelope in developing rigorous standards for cannabis processors. In 2011 Jim
authored the groups ofcial standards for medical processors which were presented to many city and state of-
cials throughout 2012. He currently serves on the Coalitions board as Secretary.
Contact: [email protected]
4
Introduction
Tank you for purchasing Volume 2 of this handbook or attending one of our seminars. We hope to make it a
learning experience for you and appreciate your support for professional standards in the cannabis industry. My
intention with this document has been to craf a information packed yet slim book you can keep handy in your
facility or ofce.
Te frst section is a word for word copy of current Washington State Liquor Control Board marijuana regula-
tions that specifcally afect processors. Along with the regulatory code I have expounded at length in an attempt
to read between the lines and glean some practical information about the emerging 502 markets.
We will target the specifcs of establishing a food processing facility with Liquor Control Board requirements. We
will discuss the various types of processing capacities and the details of many processing tasks.
Ten we will move into labeling guidelines as well as the FDA. Were going to look at some sample packaging
and the best ways to pick and purchase packaging solutions for your business.
Tis book is going to discuss the basics of WSDA compliance. It will cover the diferences between food prod-
ucts and dietary supplements as well as the requirements for both product categories.
Tere are over three pages devoted to hash, if you have any specifc questions about hash or solventless wax feel
free to email me at [email protected] and I will do my best to respond promptly.
Well be covering methods and extraction parameters. Well also discuss so called cannabis science, the tempera-
tures when cannabinoids convert into other compounds and the times and methods to control these changes.
Tis book includes a workshop portion in the fnal portion. Tis is intended as a series of light brainstorming
that I hope might help you think about your business from a diferent perspective.
I would like to thank the CCSE membership for their help and support in facilitating the orginal Professional Ed-
ucation Series and giving me a platform to share my processing knowledge with the broader community. Special
thanks to Lara Kaminsky for all her expertise and patience. Kudos to BioTrackTHC executive Matthew Newton
for the tracking compliance assistance. Cheers to Amy Gibson and WCPSolutions for serving the cannabis in-
dustrys needs and educating me on commercial packaging equipment. Warm thanks to Nick Kelly for recording
multimedia and a hearty hug to Chuck Olivier of Dimebag Scale Company for teaching me about measurements.
May this document serve you and your future well.
Tank You,
James Chaney
Processor Specifc State Law
Te liquor control has released the following important regulations in regards to cannabis processing:
WAC 314-55-077
What is a marijuana processor license and what are
the requirements and fees related to a marijuana processor license?
(1) A marijuana processor license allows the licensee to process,
package, and label usable marijuana and marijuana-infused products for
sale at wholesale to marijuana retailers.
(2) A marijuana processor is allowed to blend tested useable mar-
ijuana from multiple lots into a single package for sale to a marijua-
na retail licensee providing the label requirements for each lot used
in the blend are met and the percentage by weight of each lot is also
included on the label.
(7) Marijuana processor licensees are allowed to have a maximum
of six months of their average useable marijuana and six months aver-
age of their total production on their licensed premises at any time.
Application to Processors: Tis section ensures that cannabis processors have a fair amount of freedom to
process and source cannabis infused goods. It also means that there will be a robust need for third party dis-
tribution services under the 502 market. Only cannabis processors may sell to retailers and production only
companies are forced to work with other companies if they do not acquire their own processing facility and
license.
WAC 314-55-083
What are the security requirements for a marijuana licensee?
(f) All marijuana or marijuana-infused products that are intended
to be removed or transported from marijuana producer to marijuana pro
cessor and/or marijuana processor to marijuana retailer shall be staged
in an area known as the quarantine location for a minimum of
twenty-four hours. Transport manifest with product information and
weights must be afxed to the product. At no time during the quaran-
tine period can the product be handled or moved under any circumstan-
ces and is subject to auditing by the liquor control board or designees.
(h) Tere is a twenty-four hour mandatory waiting period afer
the notifcation described in this subsection to allow for inspection
before useable marijuana, or marijuana-infused products are transpor-
ted from a processor to a retailer.
Application to Processors: All processors will have to accommodate these requirements with a secure area
set aside for quarantine purposes. Te most efective processors will easily integrate these quarantine periods
into drying & curing protocol. For instance, a day can be removed from cure schedules to accommodate the
obligatory twenty four quarantine period while packaged cannabis waits for transport to retailers.
5
WAC 314-55-104
Marijuana processor license extraction requirements.
(1) Processors are limited to certain methods, equipment, sol-
vents, gases and mediums when creating marijuana extracts.
(2) Processors may use the hydrocarbons N-butane, isobutane, pro-
pane, or heptane or other solvents or gases exhibiting low to minimal
potential human health-related toxicity approved by the board. Tese
solvents must be of at least ninety-nine percent purity and a process-
or must use them in a professional grade closed loop extraction system
designed to recover the solvents, work in a spark free environment
with proper ventilation, and follow all applicable local fre, safety
and building codes in processing and the storage of the solvents.
(3) Processors may use a professional grade closed loop CO 2 gas
extraction system where every vessel is rated to a minimum of nine
hundred pounds per square inch and follow all applicable local fre,
safety and building codes in processing and the storage of the sol-
vents. Te CO 2 must be of at least ninety-nine percent purity.
(4) Processors may use heat, screens, presses, steam distilla-
tion, ice water, and other methods without employing solvents or gases
to create kief, hashish, bubble hash, or infused dairy butter, or oils
or fats derived from natural sources, and other extracts.
(5) Processors may use food grade glycerin, ethanol, and propy-
lene glycol solvents to create extracts.
(6) Processors creating marijuana extracts must develop standard
operating procedures, good manufacturing practices, and a training
plan prior to producing extracts for the marketplace. Any person using
solvents or gases in a closed looped system to create marijuana ex-
tracts must be fully trained on how to use the system, have direct ac-
cess to applicable material safety data sheets and handle and store
the solvents and gases safely.
(7) Parts per million for one gram of fnished extract cannot ex-
ceed 500 parts per million or residual solvent or gas when quality as-
surance tested per RCW 69.50.348.
Practical Application to Processors: Te rules will allow processors to produce virtually any popular canna-
bis extract in existence. Tere are minimum standards based on which solvent or method you choose. BHO
and C02 processors have the most rigorous regulations. If you plan to extract these concentrates you should
plan to invest at least $50,000 - $250,000 in equipment that will meet LCB solvent processing requirements.
Te rules ensure that all concentrates are somewhat pure with a solvent PPM threshold of 500. Te best
medical cannabis processors typically do not release products above 25-50 PPM of hydrocarbon.
Processors are responsible for ensuring extraction ventilation systems are compliant with fre and safety
codes.
Te regulations for solventless hash and fat extractions are the least restrictive out of all the various meth-
ods. Tis makes hash and fat processing methods very attractive to startup processors.
6
Practical applications for processors: Te most glaring section is 9 which prohibits adding anything to can-
nabis fowers at retail. Tis means that the Liquor Control Board is attempting to create a fower market that
consists of pure cannabis fowers. While this might prevent some legitimate and safe advances in favoring
and preserving cannabis, these regulations are important and a show of good faith from the Liquor Control
Board. Tis regulation prevents various producers from adding synthetic cannabinoids, bath salts or other
psychoactive chemicals to fowers in the hopes of a competitive edge. Tere are no additive prohibitions for
concentrates or cannabis infused goods of this nature.
Te rules state that consumers will legally never be able to access your product directly, meaning your busi-
ness will mainly be interacting with customers through the front display panel of your packaging. Not hav-
ing direct access to pick up your product means consumers will be looking for catching front panels from
more than a few feet away. Tis makes designing the right kind of appealing front labels very important for
your business and product lines.
Subsection (2) states that a marijuana processor is to package and label useable marijuana and marijuana
infused products for sale at wholesale to marijuana retailers. Subsection (3) does not allow marijuana re-
tailers to package and label at all, only to sell useable marijuana and marijuana infused products.All prod-
uct must be packaged and labeled by the processor prior to being sold to the retailer.
All processors will have considerable labeling requirements. Te frst area of requirements are the 14 warn-
ings concerning health hazards. Tese warnings are largely fctitious but absolutely required by Initiative
502. However, the important part of this section is must include accompanying material that contains.... It is
easy to interpret these warnings being provided as a small card or brochure that is ubiquitously available at
all retail establishments and is included with every marijuana purchase. It is unlikely the WSLCB means for
processors to include over 14 health warnings on every package of cannabis.
Processors will have to include two warnings on every label for every package of marijuana:
Warnings that state: Tis product has intoxicating efects and may be habit forming;
Statement that Tis product may be unlawful outside of Washington state.
Te requirements for packaged marijuana are much less strict than the requirements for infused products.
Marijuana does not have to be packaged in child resistant packaging so theoretically we will likely see some
low-end recreational marijuana sold to the customer in labeled zip-lock bags or other simple solutions.
Processors of concentrates beverages, infused products and goods must provide child resistant packaging
for every retail item in the form of unperforated heat seals, blister packages and other suitable barriers.
Processors will also have to include one warning for all cannabis infused edibles or beverages:
Caution: When eaten or swallowed, the intoxicating efects of this drug may be delayed by two or more hours.
Other than the small amount of health warnings, packaging infused goods is the same as packaging any
other retail good in the state of Washington. In addition to WSLCB requirements, processors will have to
maintain packaging compliance with FDA and NIST standards.
NIST - Regulates weights, measures in regards to packaging as well as child resistant packaging.
FDA - Regulates food, dietary supplements, drugs and the packaging and labeling of goods.
10
WAC 314-55-089
What are the tax and reporting requirements for
marijuana licensees?
(3) Marijuana processor licensees: On a monthly basis, marijuana
processors must maintain records and report purchases from licensed
marijuana producers, production of marijuana-infused products, sales
by product type to marijuana retailers, and lost and/or destroyed
product in a manner prescribed by the board.
A marijuana processor licensee must pay to the board a marijuana
excise tax of twenty-fve percent of the selling price on each whole-
sale sale of usable marijuana and marijuana-infused product to a li-
censed marijuana retailer.
Practical Application for Processors: All processors will have to pay excise tax when they wholesale goods.
In addition all processors must have a robust tracking system that satisfes the WSLCBs requirements.
WAC 314-55-099
Standardized scales.
(1) Marijuana producer and
processor licensees must have at least one scale on the licensed
premises for the traceability and inventory of products.
(2) Te scales and other measuring devices are subject to chapter
19.94 RCW, and must meet the requirements of the most current version
of chapters 16-662 and 16-664 WAC.
(3) Licensees must register scales on a business license application with business license
services through the department of revenue as required under chapter 19.94 RCW.
Practical Application for Processors: Your business will have to own at least one compliant commercial scale
for packaging and inventory. In addition you will be required to register it with the state and ensure it is
sealed and serviced by a compliant professional.
WAC 314-55-015
General information about marijuana licenses.
(10) A marijuana processor or retailer licensed by the board
shall conduct the processing, storage, and sale of marijuana-infused
products using sanitary practices and ensure facilities are construc-
ted, kept, and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition in accord-
ance with rules and as prescribed by the Washington state department
of agriculture under chapters 16-165 and 16-167 WAC.
Practical Application for Processors: Processors will be responsible for complying with the rules of the
WSDA. Simply put, if a business produces food products they will have to be compliant and licensed by the
WSDA as a food processing facility. Tis process is begun by flling out a WSDA processor packet with your
facilities information. Te facility codes vary based on product types with meat and dairy requiring the
most stringent safety features.
11
For boutique and premium quality cannabis providers, an expertly trimmed bud cannot be beat by an automatic
trimmer. Hand trimming reveals the true shape of the bud and allows for attractive leaves to remain a part of the
fower.
Compared to an automatic trimmer a pair of Fiskars is much cheaper at around $10-$20 but the cost disadvan-
tages of manual operations lie in paying hourly employees to trim cannabis. You should expect to pay trimmers
at least $15 hourly to do a good job trimming cannabis.
Te total cost of trimming a pound varies greatly based on the skill and dedication of your staf. Cost also varies
due to strain diferences and desired level of trimming (more or less leaves trimmed). Hand trimming can add as
little as $50 and as much as $250 to a pound of cannabis.
Allowing your staf to play music and audio books while trimming should be considered a minimum so you will
need a decent stereo. However, TVS and laptops playing movies and media should not be allowed in the trim-
ming room. Anything taking a trimmers eyes of the bud will result in neglected fowers. You should also consid-
er quotas and bonuses to encourage efciency.
Manual Trimming
Productivity loss in the trim room can be avoided by
keeping laptops, videos and food strictly to break areas.
A decent stereo with an iPod dock will allow employees to
avoid tedium while keeping their eyes on the cannabis.
Te Fiskars Sofouch micro-tip pruning snip is probably the most popular trimming scissor in the cannabis
industry. Tis is by no accident as the grip is very comfortable, the tip is adequate for getting into nooks and the
spring reduces worker stress. Tis model is available on Amazon for around $10.
14
Codes
By educating yourself and your employees in basic Washington State law, your business can easily maintain com-
pliance in the areas of packaging and measuring. Marijuana retailers should have accurate scales on premise but
NTEP certifed and sealed scales are not necessary for retail operations as retailers are not permitted to package
cannabis for retail sale.
WAC 314-55-099 Standardized Scales.
(1) Marijuana producer and processor licensees must have at least one scale on the licensed premises for the
traceability and inventory of products.
(2) Te scales and other measuring devices are subject to chapter 19.94 RCW, and must meet the requirements of
the most current version of chapters 16-662 and 16-664 WAC.
(3) Licensees must register scales on a business license application with business license services through the
department of revenue as required under chapter 19.94 RCW.
Some helpful codes to acquaint your business with:
RCW 19.94- Establishes State Weights & Measurements Program
WAC 16-662- NIST Handbooks are WA Law
WAC 16-664- NTEP required
Rule Violations and Penalties
WAC 314-55-515
Failure to maintain standardized scale requirements:
Processors - WAC 314-55-525 - Group 2 Violation
1st Ofense-5 day suspension or $500 monetary option
2nd Ofense-10 day suspension or $2,500 monetary option
3rd Ofense-30 day suspension Cancellation of license
4th Ofense-Cancellation of license
Producers - WAC 314-55-535 - Group 4 Violation
1st Ofense- $2500 fne
2nd Ofense- $5,000 monetary fne and destruction of 25% of harvestable plants
3rd Ofense- $15,000 monetary fne and destruction of 50% of harvestable plants
4th Ofense-Cancellation of license
`
22
Dietary Supplements
Tese medical cannabis labels show how dietary supplement compliant features can be easily integrated into infused product labeling
Quoted Directly From Te FDA Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide:
How are dietary supplements defned?
Dietary supplements are defned, in part, as products (other than tobacco) intended to supplement the diet that bear or contain one or more of the
following dietary ingredients:
A vitamin;
A mineral;
An herb or other botanical;
An amino acid;
A dietary substance for use by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake; or
A concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or a combination of any ingredient mentioned above.
Further, dietary supplements are products intended for ingestion, are not represented for use as a conventional food or as a sole item of a meal or the
diet, and are labeled as dietary supplements. Te complete statutory defnition is found in section 201(f) of Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
What label statements are required on the containers and packages of dietary supplements?
Five statements are required: 1) the statement of identity (name of the dietary supplement), 2) the net quantity of contents statement (amount of the
dietary supplement), 3) the nutrition labeling, 4) the ingredient list, and 5) the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor.
21 CFR 101.3(a), 21 CFR 101.105(a), 21 CFR 101.36, 21 CFR 101.4(a)(1), and 21 CFR 101.5
Where do I place the required label statements?
You must place all required label statements either on the front label panel (the principal display panel) or on the information panel (usually the label
panel immediately to the right of the principal display panel, as seen by the consumer when facing the product), unless otherwise specifed by regula-
tion (i.e., exemptions).
21 CFR 101.2(b) and (d), 21 CFR 101.9(j)(13) and (j)(17), 21 CFR 101.36(g), (i)(2) and (i)(5)
What label statements must I place on the principal display panel?
You must place the statement of identity and the net quantity of contents statement on the principal display panel. Where packages bear alternate
principal display panels, you must place this information on each alternate principal display panel.
21 CFR 101.1, 21 CFR 101.3(a) and 21 CFR 101.105(a)
How do I locate the principal display panel?
Te principal display panel of the label is the portion of the package that is most likely to be seen by the consumer at the time of display for retail
purchase. Many containers are designed with two or more diferent surfaces that are suitable for use as the principal display panel. Tese are alternate
principal display panels.
21 CFR 101.1
What label statements must I place on the information panel?
You must place the Supplement Facts panel, the ingredient list, and the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor on
the information panel if such information does not appear on the principal display panel, except that if space is insuf cient, you may use the special
provisions on the Supplement Facts panel in 21 CFR 101.36(i)(2)(iii) and (i)(5). See questions 46 and 56 in Chapter IV for more details.
21 CFR 101.2(b) and (d), 101.36(i)(2)(iii) and (i)(5), 101.5, 101.9(j)(13)(i)(A) and (j)(17)
29
PAI N I NDI GESTI ON RELAXATI ON
I NDI CA CAPSULES
THE C.P.C.
Te CPC
TERPENE ENHANCED
12 grams net wt
40 COUNT - 25MG EACH
i n Ol i ve Oi l wi th fi ve added essenti al
oi l s for enhanced terpene potency
D
i
r
e
c
t
i
o
n
s
:
T
a
k
e
o
n
e
c
a
p
s
u
l
e
o
n
a
n
e
m
p
t
y
s
t
o
m
a
c
h
a
n
d
w
a
i
t
6
0
-
9
0
m
i
n
u
t
e
s
.
R
e
p
e
a
t
a
s
n
e
c
e
s
s
a
r
y
.
F
o
r
B
e
s
t
R
e
s
u
l
t
s
:
C
o
n
s
u
m
e
w
i
t
h
s
m
a
l
l
a
m
o
u
n
t
o
f
g
o
o
d
f
a
t
s
u
c
h
a
s
p
e
a
n
u
t
b
u
t
t
e
r
,
o
l
i
v
e
o
r
s
h
o
i
l
,
e
t
c
.
R
C
W
6
9
.
5
1
a
m
e
d
i
c
a
l
u
s
e
O
N
L
Y
.
T
H
E
C
P
C
.
O
R
G
I
n
g
r
e
d
i
e
n
t
s
:
O
l
i
v
e
O
i
l
,
E
s
s
e
n
t
i
a
l
C
a
n
n
a
b
i
s
O
i
l
,
N
a
t
u
r
a
l
O
i
l
s
(
L
e
m
-
o
n
,
L
a
v
e
n
d
e
r
,
R
o
s
e
m
a
r
y
,
L
e
m
o
n
g
r
a
s
s
,
B
l
a
c
k
P
e
p
p
e
r
)
,
G
e
l
a
t
i
n
A
m
o
u
n
t
/
S
e
r
v
in
g
%
D
V
A
m
o
u
n
t
/
S
e
r
v
in
g
T
o
t
a
l F
a
t
.3
m
g
S
a
t
. F
a
t
0
m
g
T
r
a
n
s
F
a
t
0
m
g
C
h
o
le
s
t
e
r
o
l 0
m
g
S
o
d
iu
m
0
m
g
D
e
lt
a
9
T
H
C
1
3
m
g
C
a
n
n
a
b
id
io
l (
C
B
D
)
3
m
g
C
a
n
n
a
b
in
o
l (
C
B
N
)
.1
0
m
g
C
a
n
n
a
b
ic
h
r
o
m
e
n
e
.0
3
m
g
D
e
lt
a
8
-
T
H
C
.2
5
m
g
0
%
0
%
0
%
0
%
0
%
S
u
p
p
l
e
m
e
n
t
F
a
c
t
s
S
e
r
v
. S
iz
e
1
C
a
p
s
u
le
(
.3
g
)
C
a
l
o
r
i
e
s
4
C
a
lo
r
ie
s
f
r
o
m
F
a
t
4
T
e
r
p
e
n
e
P
e
r
c
e
n
t
a
g
e
s
a
r
e
b
a
s
e
d
o
n
t
o
t
a
l t
e
r
p
e
n
e
c
o
n
t
e
n
t
A
-
P
i
n
e
n
e
3
0
%
B
-
P
i
n
e
n
e
1
9
%
L
i
m
o
n
e
n
e
2
9
%
L
i
n
a
l
o
o
l
5
%
Concentrates Processing
For solvent based concentrates, there is a whole world of technologies, vendors and materials for you to pick
when choosing facility equipment and gas providers. Solvent extraction methods deserve their own seminar
and we will not be able to address this topic in depth. Tis seminar is not going to attempt to address all of these
products or methods. Its assumed at this stage of the market that if you wish to make BHO or CO2 oil, you
already have extensive experience or are prepared to hire/contract an expert manufacturer currently serving the
medical cannabis market.
Concentrates processing does not fall under the full jurisdiction of WSDA food processing regulations so does
not face a lot of difculties in fnding a suitable location. A concentrates processor will beneft from spaces that
function like laboratories. Solventless hash is the most fexible of concentrates for processors as it will never
explode. If your extraction method utilizes fammable solvents you are required by the LCB and good sense to
utilize extensive interior ventilation. A small sealed room or chamber with high air pressure and powerful ceiling
mounted external vented fan is a good choice for an extraction environment.
Natural ventilation using solvents is a cost efective option to avoid expensive ventilation installation during
startup phases. Rolling up a warehouse door is an option and so are multiple windows and fans. Make sure to
utilize screens to keep insects out of your processing facility. Outdoor extraction is possible using a screened in
gazebo as work area and making sure to comply with LCBs requirement to obscure processing activities from
public view.
Te extraction area is the most important part of your concentrates operation. It should be kept clean and pris-
tine with all work surfaces cleaned and cleared afer use. Just like the trim room, isopropyl alcohol is a must for
reclaiming spilled or stuck cannabis. If you dont wish to reclaim spilled concentrates, you can use much cheaper
denatured grain alcohol for cleaning up sticky messes (never consume cannabis mixed with denatured alcohol).
Work surfaces should be restaurant or industrial quality stainless steel tables and work benches. Plastic surfaces
should never be utilized in an environment with high temperatures or hot concentrates. If plastic is utilized it
should be non porous and non textured.
All containers for concentrates should be glass. It is essential to have a variety of beakers, lidded jars and assorted
containers to hold concentrates. Heated lab scales with magnet powered mixing functions should be used rather
than hand stirring if possible. Manipulating concentrates is best done with high quality steel kitchen or labora-
tory tools. Paint scrapers are very efective at manipulating large quantities of concentrates. Silicon pads, plastic
cling wrap, parchment paper and plastic gloves should always be available to separate and cover materials from
dirt, heat, air, water and skin oils. When making concentrates it is important to pay attention so it is recommend
to provide comfortable tall stools in extraction areas rather than padded ofce chairs.
32
Cannabis Infusion
Infusion platforms
Tere are many ways to combine cannabis with food products. Te chief methods this document will cover are
concentrate infusion, animal fat infusion and vegetable fat infusion. Your business will have to choose the best
infusion platforms based on the needs and principles of your company and consumer base. All of the methods
work rather well as cannabinoids bond just fne with a wide variety of fats, chemicals, compounds and solvents.
Concentrate infusion
Concentrate infusion is the mixture of hash, BHO, oil or other cannabis concentrate into a food product using
low heat and automatic or manual mixing. Adding directly to food usually works best when the recipe include
suitable amounts of fats or sugars. By testing the concentrate before mixing, a processor can precisely alter the
amount of concentrate added per batch to result in the desired dosage of cannabinoids. Concentrate infusion ba-
sically skips a long infusion process and multiple tests as the concentrate has already been processed and tested
in large batches and will bond to the edible platform in a fraction of the time as plant matter into fat.
Animal Fat Infusion
Animal Fat Infusion is the mixture of raw or already processed cannabis with animal fats such as butter, milk,
cream, ghee, lard, grease or other animal derived fatty oils. If your product has cooked meat as an ingredient
this is a great platform to use animal grease. Animal fats bond great with cannabinoids and a variety of terpenes
though the terpene retention is not as good as vegetable fats. Butter is the most popular infusion platform in the
current medical cannabis industry due to its low price point and tolerance for abuse. When using animal fats like
butter it is best to add a reasonable amount of water and use salted butter as it will bufer temperatures and avoid
burning and vaporization. Due to the volatile nature of animal fat extraction you should expect to practice fat
infusion in large batches and test each fnished batch of fat to accurately label your cannabis infused goods.
Vegetable Fats and Sugar Infusion
Vegetable Fat Infusion is the mixture of raw or already processed cannabis with vegetable fats and sugar such as
canola oil, safower oil, coconut oil, peanut butter, cane sugar, corn syrup, almond milk, honey and any vegetable
derived food ingredient that bonds with cannabinoids. Vegetable platforms are versatile with olive oil and coco-
nut oil being the most popular platforms currently in the medical marijuana market. Processing cannabis into
vegetable derived oil is similar to animal fat extractions such as butter with added water being useful to bufer
temperatures. Proper temperatures and vigilant mixing are key to quickly extracting cannabinoids locked deep
in plant matter. Vegetable milks are among the most efcient platforms too as is the process of creating your own
infused cannabis/vegetable/nut milk by processing cannabis with water and heat combined with a suitable vege-
table, grain or nut such as almonds, soy, rice, coconut, etc.
40