Starting a new lab can be a daunting project to say the least. From determining a budget to leasing or purchasing space to hiring personnel, the number of details and decisions can quickly become overwhelming – and let’s not even get into all the regulatory headaches. The good news is that there are only a few basic pieces of equipment you need to get your lab started and you can supplement and add to these as you expand and your needs grow.
So in no particular order, here are the most basic pieces of equipment that every cannabis lab needs to have in place:
Refrigerated centrifuge
Refrigerated centrifuges allow you to spin samples to separate solid plant particles from cannabis THC extract all while simultaneously maintaining a low temperature and preventing any heat damage to the samples. This separation can typically be done at relatively low speeds and can be used as part of the hydrodynamic cannabis extraction technique, among other separation processes. The Eppendorf 5804R with a swinging bucket rotor is a popular choice, while many labs choose to go with a classic Beckman Allegra 6R for the additional capacity and lower cost.
Analytical balance
Analytical balances can typically weigh samples with precision to 0.01mg accuracy. This precise weight accuracy is needed when performing THC content analysis. Mettler Toledo models are considered the gold standard for analytical balances. Many labs also choose to purchase toploading balances and even large capacity bench scales for higher capacity weighing applications.
Grinder and/or homogenizer
Grinding and homogenization of cannabis allows for a stable emulsion to be created for use in and production of cannabis infused products. In fact, some industry insiders consider this is to be the most important step in cannabis production. Homogenization and grinding help to evenly distribute cannabinoids, which are often clumped together, throughout a solution and avoid irregular concentrations that prevent uniform potency. Kinematica is a popular brand with many of our customers.
Vortexer (vortex mixer)
Vortexers are a very common piece of general lab equipment used to mix small quantities of liquid in test tubes or small flasks. Fisher and VWR both make excellent, durable vortexers.
Micropipettes
Essential when precisely measuring and transferring small amounts of liquids, such as when transferring samples for HPLC breakdown tests. Pipetting is as much of an art and technique as it is a science, and both practice and proper form are needed to develop your pipetting skills. Think of a world-class chef and his knives – with enough experience they almost become an extension of his hands. We have many different pipettes in stock and available, including newer Rainin E4 units with digital displays and programmable memory.
Rotary evaporator
Used to remove solvent in a controlled manner under vacuum, rotary evaporators can be used as part of the ethanol extraction process, after which the solvent-free and purified extract can be dried with the resulting product containing terpenes, THC and other cannabinoids. Buchi is by far the most common and well-known rotary evaporator brand and we have both benchtop systems and large 20L production models available. For example, this Buchi R-215 system includes a bath, pump, and vacuum controller.
Oven for decarb
Decarboxylation is a function of time, temperature and atmosphere which fully activates the THC in cannabis to achieve a much higher potency. Laboratory ovens feature much tighter temperature stability than typical kitchen ovens, while vacuum ovens remove oxygen that can cause decomposition. Binder, Yamato, and Thermo Scientific all produce well respected vacuum ovens.
Chemical fume hood
Fume hoods are often the largest purchase new labs will make both in terms of money spent and sheer size. Traditional ducted models must be connected to existing duct work in a lab and vented out. We have plenty of these units in stock and available. Another option is a ductless fume hood. These are typically smaller and more expensive than ducted models but can save users considerably in terms of installation costs.
PCR machines
PCR testing allows for the precise measurement of bacteria, mold, fungus, or yeast in a sample and is also capable of quantification of DNA molecules. Some basic, relatively inexpensive units include the BioRad MyCycler and the Eppendorf Master Cycler.
Now before you pick up your keyboards and send us the angry “What about…?” and “You forgot…!” emails, we recognize that this is not a comprehensive list. We left off some basics, along with consumables such as gloves, pipette tips, eyeware, lab coats, etc. But we view the above list as an adequate blueprint with which to get started.
We can provide all of the equipment listed above along with many other types of equipment for use in cannabis labs. Check out our website for more information on currently available inventory and as always please feel free to give us a call or email with any questions. Thanks!
American Instrument Exchange has been a reliable source for used laboratory and scientific equipment for over 50 years, buying and selling equipment since 1969. Our surplus lab equipment is reconditioned for many types of laboratories, including biotech, biomedical, medical research, chemical, pharmaceutical, and university and hospital research laboratories. All lab equipment listed on our website is in stock and ships from our 30,000 square foot warehouse in Massachusetts. Our facilities include a fully equipped shop with highly trained technicians who thoroughly test each instrument before it reaches your laboratory. Please visit our website at https://www.americaninstrument.com/.