The key to quality assurance, with respect to cannabis plant sanitation, is that it begins before plants even start growing. When planning a cannabis cultivation operation, there are regulations to follow and best practices that will ensure your plant sanitation is efficient and meets the necessary standards.
After proper training and licensing, the choices you make in setting up your cannabis facilities can make all the difference. For example, it is advisable to choose flooring and wall materials that are non-porous and smooth, so that sanitation is efficient and easily managed. Keep reading to learn more about sanitation and why it matters for quality assurance.
Sanitizers: Where to Start
As covered previously, grow room set up and environment conditions are extremely important for proper cultivation and development. According to regulations, a sanitary condition refers to:
- A condition that does not present a risk of contamination, allergen cross-contamination, or the introduction of an extraneous substance to cannabis or anything that will be used as an ingredient
After taking cannabis quality assurance courses, you will have an understanding of the fundamental aspects of effective sanitation and cleaning programs for cannabis. After the cultivation facilities are set up, the sanitizers on site must be clearly identified and suitable for use with cannabis according to federal regulations.
Sanitizers for trimming equipment must not put cannabis at risk of contamination
Use Your Cannabis Quality Assurance Training to Keep Facilities Clean
There are several topics covered in cannabis quality assurance training, including the sanitation of work surfaces and equipment, which are important factors in keeping facilities clean. You can combine your quality assurance education with the requirements for cannabis cultivation facilities to ensure proper sanitation.
Another aspect of sanitation in cannabis facilities to keep in mind is high-risk areas, which include:
- Change rooms (for personnel to go from street clothes to work clothes)
- Growing rooms
- Hallways and corridors
- Packaging areas
- Curing or drying areas
- Trimming areas
Make sure personnel have proper facilities to change in and out of work clothing
Special attention, including daily use of disinfectant, should be paid to these areas to ensure there is no risk of cross-contamination. Other areas such as offices and shipping and receiving docs should also be sanitized regularly, but may not require disinfectant every day.
Procedures and Personnel
Part of the set up of a cannabis cultivation facility should include written procedures for sanitation and for personnel. Additionally, the owner or manager of a cultivation facility must document procedures to ensure quality, transparency, and the ability to improve if necessary. Proper sanitation programs will set out the following:
- Requirements for personnel hygiene and behaviour
- Procedures for handling cannabis plants
- Procedures for cleaning the facilities
- Procedures for cleaning equipment
Checklists and written procedures are a core part of quality assurance
This highlights the importance of documentation, and how it is an integral part of quality assurance for cannabis plants. Plant sanitation is more than just keeping facilities clean: it is a coordinated effort that involves every part of a cultivation facility.
Do you want to know more about cannabis quality assurance?
Contact the Academy of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences today!