Air
Review airflow, filtration, HVAC maintenance and how rooms exchange air.
Start here: trace air movement through grow, drying and processing areas.
Growhaus field guide · Free download
The Cannabis Biosecurity Playbook.
Build a practical sanitation program around the pathways that matter: air, surfaces, water and the people moving through your facility.
13-page PDF · No sign-up required
A zone-by-zone guide for commercial growers
Start with the pathways
Control how contamination moves.
A strong program connects cleaning, facility systems and daily behaviour. Start by identifying where exposure occurs, then build repeatable controls around each pathway.
Surfaces
Remove buildup, apply the appropriate disinfectant and standardize coverage.
Start here: separate debris removal, cleaning and disinfection in the SOP.
Water
Review reservoirs, irrigation lines, emitters and the quality of incoming water.
Start here: map water sampling and maintenance points with your team.
Transmission
Manage the movement of people, tools, plants, materials and waste between zones.
Start here: identify shared tools and crossings between clean and dirty areas.
Inside the playbook
Five zones. One connected program.
Explore a few starting points below, then use the guide to review your facility with cultivation, QA and sanitation teams.
01Grow rooms & shared equipment+
Start with loose debris and organic residues. Document which surfaces are cleaned, how they are treated and who verifies readiness before the next crop.
Read the room-turnover guide02Air systems & HVAC+
Review filter changes, condensate, accessible ductwork and maintenance responsibilities. Include drying and post-harvest areas in the same discussion.
Discuss your air pathway03Water & irrigation lines+
Keep a system map and maintenance records. Investigate uneven delivery, residue and recurring blockages before selecting a treatment compatible with your system and crop stage.
Explore irrigation-line guidance04Post-harvest & drying areas+
Include trimming equipment, totes and storage surfaces in sanitation schedules. Keep cleaned equipment separate from incoming plant material and waste.
Read the equipment-cleaning guide05Entry points & common areas+
Define entry requirements, PPE changes and movement between rooms. Shared carts, phones and hand tools deserve the same attention as floors and work surfaces.
Review personnel-entry protocolsMake the process repeatable
Clean. Disinfect. Verify.
Remove the buildup.
Remove debris and residues so the next step can reach the intended surface. Match the cleaner and method to the material and type of soil.
Follow the label.
Use the appropriate product for the target organism and application. Document dilution, coverage, wet contact time and any rinse requirements.
Measure the process.
Agree on sampling methods and acceptance criteria with QA. Use results to find gaps, retrain where needed and improve the next turnaround.
ATP measures cleaning performance; it is not an HLVd test and does not establish that a specific pathogen has been eliminated. Use the playbook alongside current product labels, safety data sheets and QA-approved procedures. Match each product, dilution, contact time and rinse requirement to its intended use.
Go deeper
Evidence, practical guidance and solutions.
Facility example
Muskoka Grown
The playbook includes a Muskoka Grown case study and before-and-after ATP readings. Use it to frame the measurements you want to track in your own operation.
Product knowledge
Explore SHYIELD
Learn about product formats, label-based use and where SHYIELD fits into a practical sanitation program.
Operational guide
Build the whole program
Connect facility zones, responsibilities and verification into a repeatable commercial cannabis biosecurity program.
Before you get started
Common questions.
Is the playbook free?+
Yes. Download the PDF directly without creating an account or submitting a form.
Can we improve our current program?+
Yes. Start with the products, procedures and records you already use. Growhaus can help identify gaps and prioritize changes around your facility.
Does a good ATP reading prove pathogen control?+
No. ATP helps assess cleaning performance. Pathogen-specific testing and other verification methods answer different questions; your QA team should define what each result establishes.
Will this eliminate failed tests or remediation?+
No program can promise that outcome for every facility. Risk depends on incoming material, operating practices, environmental conditions and the organism involved. Build defined controls, monitor results and investigate failures with QA.
What should we bring to an advisor call?+
Your main concern, current sanitation products, room and system details, turnaround process and any relevant testing records. Start with what you have; we can help clarify what to collect next.