How to Set Up a Cannabis Extraction Lab: The Complete Equipment Guide
Everything you need to know — from licensing to equipment selection to facility layout.
You got the license. You signed the lease. Now you're staring at an empty room wondering how to turn it into a working extraction lab.
This guide covers everything: which equipment you need based on your extraction method, how to lay out your facility, what it costs, and when to buy in the licensing timeline.
Before You Buy Anything: Choose Your Extraction Method
Your extraction method determines your entire equipment list, facility requirements, and budget. There are four main approaches:
Hydrocarbon (BHO/PHO) — Type 7 license, C1D1 room required, $150K-$500K equipment cost. Best for concentrates, live resin, shatter.
Ethanol — Type 6 or 7, standard commercial space, $50K-$400K. Best for high-volume crude and scalability.
CO2 Supercritical — Type 6, standard commercial space, $300K-$800K. Best for clean-label extracts and CBD.
Solventless — Type 6/N, standard commercial space, $15K-$100K. Best for rosin and ice water hash.
Core Equipment by Method
Hydrocarbon Extraction Lab
Essential equipment: - Closed-loop extractor (ASME-certified) — $10K-$100K - Recirculating chiller (-40C to -80C) — $10K-$25K - Vacuum oven — $3K-$15K - Vacuum pumps (x2+) — $2K-$10K - Gas detection system — $3K-$8K
Post-extraction processing: - Jacketed reactor for winterization — $5K-$20K - Rotary evaporator (20L) — $5K-$25K - Short path distillation — $10K-$30K
Estimated total: $150K-$500K (plus C1D1 room: $100K-$500K)
Ethanol Extraction Lab
Essential equipment: - Jacketed reactor (20-100L) — $5K-$50K - Recirculating chiller (-40C minimum) — $5K-$15K - Centrifuge or filter press — $5K-$35K - Rotary evaporator (20-50L) — $10K-$50K - Vacuum pumps — $2K-$10K - Short path or wiped film distillation — $10K-$200K
Estimated total: $50K-$150K (lab scale), $150K-$400K (production)
Solventless Lab
Essential equipment: - Ice water hash machine — $500-$5K - Bubble bag set — $50-$300 - Freeze dryer — $10K-$30K - Rosin press — $500-$10K
Estimated total: $15K-$40K (small scale)
Facility Requirements
Electrical Most production equipment requires 220V. Plan your electrical panel before ordering. A mid-scale lab might draw 30-50 kW total.
Ventilation Extraction rooms need adequate ventilation. C1D1 rooms have specific NFPA requirements. Route solvent vapors outside.
Space Planning A mid-scale lab typically needs 700-1,500 sq ft: extraction room (200-500 sq ft), post-processing (200-400 sq ft), storage (100-200 sq ft).
Budget Planning
Equipment costs by method and scale: - Hydrocarbon: $30K-$500K+ - Ethanol: $50K-$400K - CO2: $100K-$800K+ - Solventless: $15K-$100K
Don't forget facility buildout ($50K-$150K), licensing fees ($5K-$50K), and first 6 months of operating costs ($50K-$150K).
Next Steps
1. Decide your extraction method 2. Know your license type 3. Get a quote from us with your method, scale, and budget 4. Visit our showroom to see equipment running in person