Air Quality and Cannabis Extraction in Colorado

Companies involved in the extraction and manufacture of products from Cannabis sativa L. (hemp or marijuana) are subject to regulation by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) – especially large operators working with chemical solvents and hydrocarbon extraction like butane and propane. The release of emissions into the air from extraction and certain manufacturing processes can trigger permitting and subject operators to emission control and reporting requirements.

At least five extractors in the Colorado have been required to obtain permits from CDPHE, and many more cannabis businesses are likely to fall under the scrutiny of air quality regulators as Colorado struggles to deal with repeated exceedances of national ambient air quality standards for ground level ozone, a harmful pollutant that can impair respiratory function and damage human health.

Ground level ozone is created by chemical reactions between nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds which chemically react in sunlight. CDPHE is currently evaluating the industry’s contribution to the Denver Metro/North Front Range significant ozone problems.

Air quality compliance and permitting are a necessary cost of doing business in the cannabis space (especially for extraction and manufacture) and McAlister Garfield, P.C. has the expertise to assist your business including an in-house air quality expert working with the firm.

If your Colorado cannabis business is one of the many operators engaged in the release of emissions, contact us today.