MAFIT - Marijuana Extraction Redux

Post date: Jul 12, 2015 4:27:40 PM

(John Bohn - July 11, 2015)

Dear Fire Investigation Colleagues,

At a recent MAFIT meeting we had a discussion about the exclusion of alcohol in the definition of inherently hazardous substance as part of the new Colorado law related to manufacturing marijuana concentrate (hash oil and more). There were several reasons for this exclusion which may or may not change in the future. Key is the fact that ethanol (what some of us drink) and isopropyl alcohol are quite similar with respect to their properties. Also key was that alcohols are used in other situations to make food and cosmetic extracts, oils, and tinctures. There are also other alcohols which could be used for extracts but are very harmful to humans if ingested.

While alcohols are excluded, we know that they can be a fire or explosion hazard. I created the attached document with some input from a forensic chemist. It is meant to give you a handy overview of alcohols than have been and are used for extractions of various substances not limited to marijuana. I also included a MSDS for ethanol and isopropyl alcohol. You may want to keep this information handy.

I am aware of two recent incidents in Boulder County involving the use of alcohol for marijuana extraction that did not cause a fire or explosion, but could have. As a fire investigation community we need to be vigilant about the dangers of alcohols used in extractions. If we see a rash of incidents involving property damage or personal injury, then we may have to campaign for a change in the law. The general belief is that the alcohols are less dangerous than other solvents and compressed hydrocarbon gases but that is based upon anecdotal evidence. If that is not correct, we need to know!

Please let me know if you encounter any incidents going forward so that we can gather data. If you do send me information please provide as much detail as possible as well as a copy of your report (redacted if necessary).