Expert Guide to Cannabis Decontamination Through X-Ray Technology

Decontamination processes help operators pass stringent state testing requirements while preserving terpene and cannabinoid profiles.

The XR16 from XRPure uses X-ray technology to clean cannabis.
The XR16 from XRPure uses X-ray technology to clean cannabis.

Business owners in the cannabis industry must be knowledgeable and tactful in their product safety and quality assurance approaches. It is important to successfully navigate the state and local regulations and safety standards for cannabis production. This includes compliance with rigorous testing for microbial impurities, pesticides, heavy metals and residual solvents, which can pose potential health risks to end consumers.

To mediate microbial impurities, one might consider decontamination technology that can proactively protect against unwanted growth while preserving the plant's chemical integrity. Cannabis decontamination is a proactive measure that can be applied after post-harvest processes. It removes potentially harmful microbes that can be found in dried cannabis, which is needed to pass stringent state testing requirements. By helping to ensure the quality of cannabis, this process impedes microbial growth after packaging.

How is X-ray technology used for decontamination?

There are several non-X-ray decontamination methods, with ozone gas and microwaves being the most common. Chemical treatment using chlorine dioxide gas is also another way. However, each of these methods can have detrimental effects on the chemical properties of cannabis, such as its terpenes, cannabinoids and water content, not to mention appearance and smell.

Decontamination using a cold-process X-ray, however, can penetrate the flower to kill microbes without diminishing the quality and potency of the cannabis. X-ray photons are energetic and thousands of times smaller than plant cells, so they can penetrate cannabis flower. Instead of interacting directly with the plant's cells, the X-rays target the DNA strands of microbes to break apart their chemical bonds and render them inoperable. This process, therefore, cleans the plant without impacting its chemical makeup.

Why is a cold process used?

The cold process simply means that no heat is added or applied to the cannabis during the decontamination process. This is done to avoid premature decarboxylation. Decarboxylation is the process that breaks down THCA to THC, activating the psychoactive compounds in the cannabis plant. Decarboxylation occurs through exposure to a heat source, such as the flame of a lighter. When cannabis is decarboxylated for too long, the plant's terpenes and cannabinoid levels may degrade, rendering the flower essentially ineffective for consumers.

What are the benefits of using X-ray decontamination?

Decontaminating cannabis flower as part of the regular production process helps to ensure compliance with state microbial testing standards. This allows operators to have a more consistent, predictable supply to boost their bottom lines. It also provides reassurance to consumers that the cannabis they are obtaining is safe and of high quality. By using X-rays for decontamination, the flower can maintain its terpene and cannabinoid levels and can be sold as a smokeable product by users. 

What are the drawbacks of using X-ray decontamination?

Decontamination technology requires an investment and operational know-how to use the machine effectively. While decontamination tacitly reduces microbial levels, its effectiveness in eliminating plant pathogens like Aspergillus requires assurance through rigorous and specific testing.

These machines can weigh upwards of 4,300 pounds because they are lead-lined to protect operators from X-rays. They also require physical space within facilities. For example, XRPure's XR16 is about 8 feet wide and 3 feet deep and requires space on each side for servicing. 

Despite the initial investment required, there is a significant financial upside to adopting X-ray decontamination technology. Companies that produce more than 10,000 pounds of cannabis per year typically lose about 15% due to contamination and product recalls, equating to $1.8 million in losses. However, with decontamination technology, these growers can recover up to $1.6 million annually, making it a substantial return on their original investment.

How does decontamination differ from remediation?

Both decontamination and remediation are vital to the cannabis industry. Decontamination is a preventative measure applied as part of the regular production process to ensure product safety. Remediation is a reactive process applied to batches of flower that have failed to meet state-mandated quality tests, seeking to recover and purify cannabis with a known contamination issue.

Typically, the same equipment can be used for both decontamination and remediation processes; however, the distinction is important for cannabis business owners to understand, as it informs their approach to product safety and quality assurance.

Non-X-ray remediation can be used to relieve known chemical impurity issues, such as high levels of heavy metals or pesticides. For these issues, extraction-based remediation produces clean extracts for edibles and infused products. 

There are drawbacks to using remediation to clean cannabis. The process often uses solvents and methods that render the cannabis flower unusable for smoking. It also cannot be used as a solution for all types of contamination, such as removing mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are poisonous compounds produced from plant pathogens such as powdery mildew, Aspergillus and penicillin. Mycotoxins have the potential to cause harm to end users if infected products are ingested. 

For those looking to help ensure the quality and potency of cannabis, it may be beneficial to consider an investment in X-ray decontamination technology. While remediation seeks to address an already present contamination problem, decontamination adds a layer of proactive protection against microbial regrowth after packaging.

Business owners can feel more at ease using decontamination processes to pass stringent state testing requirements while also preserving their cannabis's terpene and cannabinoid profiles. Not only does this provide a safeguard for a consistent, predictable output, but it also helps reinforce brand reputation by providing consumers with safe, high-quality flower

Jeff Adams is the founder and managing director of XRPure, a company propelling innovation in cannabis decontamination using X-ray energy.  The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Varex Imaging Corporation, the world's largest independent supplier of X-ray imaging components.

With nearly 30 years of experience in industrial manufacturing operations—including 20 years in the X-ray industry—Adams has served in many different roles spanning process engineering, quality management, operations management, sales, M&A, and general management. Adams holds a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as an Executive MBA from Brigham Young University. 

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