Advisory for hazardous solvent extraction & manufacturing

Cannabis extraction lab design is a complex process, one that can be exciting but also frustrating without the right partner. Navigating the regulatory landscape for a compliant extraction facility requires deep, specialized experience, and every project comes with its own unique hurdles.

We specialize in cannabis extraction lab design and compliant facility build-outs, with core expertise in hazardous solvent extraction, including hydrocarbon (BHO) extraction using butane and propane, as well as alcohol extraction systems. We also offer solventless extraction lab design for teams seeking a non-solvent-based build-out.

An efficient design and proper workflow can make or break a facility. Our team provides mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) drawings to your engineering team, supporting a stamped drawing set ready for submission to your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Because every AHJ enforces different requirements, our multi-state experience matters: we've completed extraction lab design and build projects in over a dozen states, with hands-on equipment installation in every state that permits hazardous solvent extraction.

After the stamped drawings are submitted, we can also provide project management to ensure the build team completes the build-out to the specifications we've outlined.

As part of our extraction lab design process, we provide equipment suggestions for every room in the facility, complete with specification documentation (spec sheets) for each piece of equipment. We can also provide equipment recommendations for labs that are already built out, helping existing facilities upgrade or optimize their setup.

Having the right tool for the right job is essential for success. The wrong equipment choice is often costly and can be the hinge point that determines whether a facility survives. Every facility has unique needs, so we take the time to understand exactly what your operation requires and tailor our recommendations accordingly.

To make that information easy to use, we deliver a condensed spreadsheet consolidating all key spec sheet details in one place, so your team can find what it needs quickly.

The cannabis license application process varies significantly from state to state. Some states are highly competitive, with applicants competing for a limited number of licenses. Having a team member who knows how to communicate effectively with regulators and application reviewers can make or break your chances. Other states grant a license to any applicant who meets the qualifications and completes the application.

Either way, slowdowns can be costly. It's important to provide as much information as needed, but not so much that it delays review. Local city governments typically have their own licensing requirements too, and city departments may require additional special permits. We can help with all of it.

Navigating this process often requires extensive technical writing and deep knowledge of how these facilities operate. This is where we really shine: we've worked on several successful competitive applications, including one that earned first place and the highest score of any application submitted in Georgia, a market that allowed only 6 processing licenses among well over 150 applicants.

In competitive states, the experience of the team members listed on the application often makes the difference. Our experts are proven industry veterans, with biographies and resumes available on request.

It's all too frequent that we come across a client who was led astray by a lab manager, director, or "consultant," only to be left high and dry, often with a lot of expensive equipment and no clear plan for how to use it.

We'll sit down and understand exactly what you're trying to produce, then provide a write-up on the current state of the facility and equipment, along with recommendations for what it would take to efficiently produce the products you need at the speed you need.

We'll come to your facility to help you directly. We're an open book, providing a foundation for your operators to build the knowledge and know-how needed to optimize their processes.

Efficiency is our goal and our expertise. We can help customize your equipment and upgrade just about any system. In some cases, all a facility needs is a conference call, and we can accomplish a lot through video chat alone.

We develop complete facility manuals, including safety information and SOPs. Our founder, Dustin, wrote the last major update to the ETS manual before the company closed, adding more than 100 pages to the original and more than doubling its content.

A well-written SOP helps new employees train faster and gives experienced extractors new techniques to learn. We offer an à la carte option so clients can pick exactly what they need, and terminology is flexible to follow whatever naming convention you prefer. Custom SOP creation is available for almost any lab process.

Engineering Technical Report Advisory (PSI). Our founder, Dustin, used Pressure Safety Inspectors (PSI) at his Denver facility before joining ExtractionTek Stainless (ETS). While at ETS, he was responsible for the content of the Engineering Peer Reviews (EPR) performed by PSI. Since then, he has helped dozens, if not hundreds, of clients correct deficiencies in their Technical Reports (TR) and Facility Reports (FR). We are extremely confident we can resolve any deficiency called out in a PSI report and get your facility running.

State Compliance Documentation (PCQI). Some states require rigorous compliance documentation, including a Preventative Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI). Dustin is PCQI-certified and capable of writing the applicable documents. We're also equipped to help with states requiring Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) documentation, including Food Safety Plans (FSPs). Requirements vary by state, and we'll help you understand the hurdles and get over them.