Aldevra | “What to Expect” Before You Build or Lease
Important: This tool is for planning and education only and is not legal advice. Always confirm requirements with your state regulator, local health department, and qualified legal counsel.
1. Basic Profile – Where Are You and What Are You Trying to Do?
State / Province: ______________________
City / County: ________________________
Planned Operation Type (check all that apply):
☐ Cannabis edibles manufacturer / processor
☐ Standalone cannabis kitchen
☐ Vertical facility (grow + process + retail)
☐ Co-manufacturing / white label production
☐ Shared / contract kitchen (multiple brands)
Products You Plan to Make:
☐ Gummies / chews / jellies
☐ Hard candy / lozenges
☐ Chocolate
☐ Baked edibles (cookies, brownies, bars)
☐ Beverages
☐ Infused oils / butters / tinctures
☐ Other: ____________________________________
Business Stage:
☐ Idea / early planning
☐ Raising capital
☐ Site selected (LOI/lease)
☐ License pre-application
☐ License application in progress
2. License Type & Agency Map
Use this section to identify who you’ll actually be dealing with.
A. Licenses You Likely Need
For your jurisdiction, fill in:
Questions to Answer
- Do cannabis processors in your state need a separate cannabis license in addition to general business licenses?
- Is the cannabis agency state-level only, or do local municipalities add their own approvals or bans?
- Does the local health department treat you as a food processor, restaurant, or something different?
3. Facility Siting & Zoning Checklist
Most projects get slowed down here. Use this to sanity check a potential location.
Zoning & Location:
☐ Property is in a zoning district that allows cannabis processing
☐ There are no separation conflicts (schools, day care, churches, etc.)
☐ Local jurisdiction does not have a cannabis moratorium in place
☐ Building meets minimum size & use requirements for your license type
Lease / Ownership:
☐ Landlord allows cannabis use in writing
☐ Lease addresses buildout, utilities, and security modifications
☐ Landlord understands power, ventilation, and odor-control impacts
Building Condition:
☐ Structure is in good condition (roof, walls, slab)
☐ Utilities (power, water, sewer) are available and upgradable
☐ Dock or loading access suitable for ingredient deliveries and shipments
4. Health / Food Safety Requirements (Cannabis + Food Code)
Most states blend cannabis rules with food safety expectations.
Use this table to track how your state handles it:
Questions for Your Regulator / Health Department
- Are we required to submit a HACCP plan for gummies / chocolate / beverages?
- Do we need a separate food permit in addition to the cannabis license?
- Are there any prohibited ingredients (e.g., alcohol, caffeine combinations, shapes appealing to children)?
5. Cannabis-Specific Facility & Security Requirements
Almost every jurisdiction will expect some version of this list. Use it to prep questions and design decisions.
A. Security & Surveillance
☐ 24/7 video surveillance with required retention period (e.g., 60–90 days)
☐ Coverage of all production, storage, waste, and access points
☐ Secure cannabis storage (vault / cage / room)
☐ Controlled access (keys, badges, or codes)
☐ Alarm system monitored by licensed provider
B. Seed-to-Sale & Recordkeeping
☐ Approved seed-to-sale system (Metrc, BioTrack, or state-specific)
☐ Process for logging raw cannabis, intermediate products, and finished goods
☐ Batch IDs linked to COAs, packaging, and waste
☐ Record retention period and format (paper vs electronic)
C. Waste & Destruction
☐ Approved method(s) for cannabis waste destruction
☐ Secure storage for waste prior to destruction
☐ Witness / dual-signature requirement for destruction events
☐ Video coverage of destruction area
6. Facility Design Requirements – What Regulators Commonly Look For
This section ties into your other tools (layout, hood, utilities, etc.) and becomes a great cross-link on the microsite.
A. Construction & Materials
☐ Smooth, non-porous, cleanable floors, walls, and ceilings
☐ Food-grade surfaces on work tables and shelving
☐ Adequate floor drains in wet/process areas
☐ Handwashing sinks in production and packaging areas
B. Equipment & Flow
☐ Clearly defined zones (receiving, pre-processing, cooking, cooling, packaging, storage)
☐ Equipment sized for volume and placed to avoid cross-traffic
☐ Separate storage for cannabis-active vs non-infused ingredients
☐ Adequate dishwashing and sanitation equipment (3-comp sink or dishmachine)
C. Environmental Control
☐ Temperature and humidity control in gummy/chocolate rooms
☐ Adequate ventilation and hoods sized per code
☐ Odor-control strategy acceptable to local authorities
7. Labeling, Packaging & Product Rules Snapshot
You’re not writing label law here—just giving operators a place to document what applies to them.
Find out and document:
☐ Required THC symbol(s) and placement
☐ Serving size and per-serving THC limits
☐ Total THC per package limits
☐ Required warning statements
☐ Allergen disclosure requirements
☐ Child-resistant packaging rules
☐ Tamper-evident packaging requirements
☐ Font size and label layout rules
☐ Shelf-life or expiration date rules
☐ Prohibited product shapes, colors, or marketing claims
8. “Ask Your Regulator” Question List
Perfect for calls or emails so they don’t forget anything.
Licensing Path
- Which license type do we need for a cannabis edibles kitchen?
- Is there a cap on the number of licenses?
Facility Standards
- Do you have any model floor plans or examples you prefer?
- Are there minimum size or room requirements (e.g., separate packaging, chocolate room, vault)?
Inspections & Timelines
- What are the steps from plan review to final inspection?
- How long does each step typically take?
Food Code & Health
- Are we required to obtain a separate food establishment permit?
- Do we need a HACCP plan for our products?
Odor, Ventilation & Fire
- Are there specific odor ordinances or expectations?
- Any additional local rules beyond NFPA / IMC for hoods and fire suppression?
Local vs State
- Which local approvals must be in place before you’ll consider our cannabis license application?
9. Pre-Application Readiness Snapshot
Rate where you are before spending on major construction.
Every cannabis kitchen lives in two worlds: food code and cannabis law.
Aldevra helps operators bridge both—tying equipment, layout, and utilities to the actual licensing and inspection path in your state.
