Fire, Health, and Safety Risks Associated with Cannabis Extraction Methods, and the Rules and Regulations Designed to Address Such Risks

In an article published by Cannabis Business Executive on December 18, 2019, I discuss legal issues, operational challenges, and regulatory hurdles that marijuana-related businesses (MRBs) frequently encounter.

I explains the three most common extraction methods that MRBs use when processing cannabis plant material to extract cannabinoids, terpenes and other components from the plant; the fire, health, and safety risks associated with each cannabis extraction method; the National Fire Protection Association’s (N.F.P.A.) rules and regulations that govern cannabis extraction; and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules and regulations that MRBs must comply with in their extraction facilities.

“As the cannabis industry has grown, so have fire, health and safety risks, and industrial accidents and explosions, in marijuana extraction facilities. In the 33 states where cannabis is legal for medical and/or recreational use, at least 10 fires or explosions have occurred in the past five years at extraction facilities, and nearly all of these incidents resulted in serious injuries to production-line staff working in the facilities."

Fire, health and safety rules and regulations at cannabis extraction facilities is primarily a state and local government issue because marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law. Notwithstanding the fact that marijuana is still classified as an illegal drug under federal law, OSHA rules and regulations still apply to cannabis-related businesses and their facilities.