Fire codes are enforced to maintain facilities in a fire-safe manner and protect extractors. Marijuana extraction facilities, in particular, use flammable solvents and other hazardous materials during extraction processes that require stringent regulations.

The fire marshal can visit an extraction facility at any time, so it is vital to stay on top of the fire code requirements to pass inspection. Any fire inspector's goal is to reduce the risk to life and property. Extractors can use this handy checklist to help them prepare and pass their inspection.

Extraction facilities use various methods, each with unique processes and building requirements. An extraction facility must meet applicable building code guidelines, equipment requirements, and safety regulations in order to gain approval to operate. Denial of an application for an extraction facility can typically be appealed through a hearing within a certain period of time.

While certainly not exhaustive, here are some general guidelines that can be applied to most jurisdictions. Following these guidelines will not ensure regulatory compliance but are a good starting point for obtaining approval.

Fire safety professionals developed new building and life safety codes to keep up with the ever-changing cannabis industry. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) added Chapter 38, "Marijuana Growing, Processing, or Extraction Facilities," to the 2018 Edition of NFPA 1 Fire Code to address common marijuana production hazards.

Cannabis concentrates range in texture, potency, and quality, but each provides a concentrated form of medicinal and therapeutic compounds found in the cannabis plant. While many cannabis consumers only focus on a couple of cannabinoids (THC and CBD), the truth is that cannabinoid isolates pale in comparison to an extract that also contains terpenes and flavonoids. Aromatic terpene and flavonoid compounds contribute to more than just a strain’s smell. They interact with cannabinoids to amplify or mitigate certain effects.

Cannabis flower is covered in tiny, resinous hairs called trichomes, which contain beneficial compounds including cannabinoids, terpenoids, and flavonoids. These elements are incredibly important to the overall flavor, experience, and benefit of consumption of final product. While some extraction methods are geared toward isolating certain elements like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) exclusively, there is a growing field of research highlighting the benefits of retaining as many of these elements as possible throughout the extraction process in order to achieve a more symbiotic and genuine representation of the entire plant. The final product is commonly referred to as "full spectrum," and the effect it produces for the end user is known as the "entourage effect".

The world of cannabis oil extraction is riddled with bad or outdated information. Most of the negative press BHO extraction receives actually serves the agendas of competing groups rather than as viable health or safety warnings. The CO2 industry's path to popularity, in particular, was paved by sensationalized stories of home explosions from open loop butane extraction, and misinformed claims of impurities in the end product.

What Is Butane?

Butane is a light hydrocarbon belonging to the same molecular family consisting of ethane, propane, and methane. Butane is produced from crude oils derived from decaying organic matter buried deep underground. Fractional distillation purifies the crude oil and compresses the butane into an odorless and flammable liquid. Professional extraction companies use instrument-grade butane for its purity and low boiling point allowing a more complete cannabis extraction compared to other solvents such as carbon dioxide or ethanol.

What Is the History of BHO?

Cannabis concentrates have a long history as ancient medicinal substances with the development of hash, or concentrated cannabis resin. The origins of today’s BHO concentrates can be traced back to D. Gold’s 1971 book titled “Cannabis Alchemy: The Art of Modern Hashmaking,” which described a solvent-based process used to make concentrates. 

BHO, also known as butane hash oil extraction, or hydrocarbon extraction, is the preferred extraction method for large-scale producers due to its scalability and versatility.