March Webinar - Growing Pains: Case Studies of Challenges in Cannabis

March Webinar - Growing Pains: Case Studies of Challenges in Cannabis

Welcome to SFPE New England's March webinar. Due to COVID-19, we are sadly unable to meet in person like we have for so many years. Instead we will be able to learn about new and exciting topics from the safety of our socially and physically distant computers. We are excited to present opportunities for New England's fire protection industry to get together and stay current on new topics.

During the March webinar, Jennifer Hoyt from the Massachusetts Division of Fire Safety will present case studies on the fire protection challenges in the Cannabis industry. 

Cannabis has been cultivated for centuries but only recently has been brought forth from the shadows of illegality to under the grow lights in many communities. As this emerging trend progresses, we are faced with the challenge of discovering and addressing new fire safety risks. In Massachusetts, where the growing and distribution of cannabis and its byproducts has been decriminalized for both medicinal and adult-use, a growing supply of fire events have been analyzed to determine areas for improvement. Case studies including extraction and processing fires and other compliance challenges are explored in detail. The solutions to these challenges were created through a joint effort of fire protection engineers, building owners, industry experts, and fire safety professionals. We will discuss the risk analysis, decision making process, and the results of the implementation of these solutions in currently operating facilities. Cannabis is an ancient plant but the emergence of the technology employed for the processing and extraction of its byproducts has warranted a high level of engineering and risk management to remain safe.

Learning Objectives

• Gain knowledge about emerging trends in cannabis extraction and processing and their associated risks and effective mitigation strategies

• Apply fire protection concepts to case studies of cannabis extraction and processes

• Analyze case studies to identify unsafe or high risk scenarios

• Effectively evaluate cannabis extraction and processes to determine an acceptable level of fire and life safety