An important milestone was reached last week during a visit to Green Truck, a Maine-based cannabis cultivation facility, where the SteriRadHD (Heavy Duty) system underwent a notable enhancement. This site is now the first in the country to operate the HD system with two 24-gallon drums, setting a new benchmark for high-capacity cannabis decontamination using x-ray technology.
The SteriRadHD is a high-throughput decontamination system, engineered to process cannabis simultaneously in two drums—a feature unique in the industry. Equipped with dual x-ray tubes and dual drum management, the system consistently neutralizes cannabis contamination, including mold, mildews, and bacteria, without the use of chemicals or heat. It supports full compliance with strict cannabis microbial testing standards while maintaining product integrity.
Green Truck initially operated with two 10-gallon drums but quickly transitioned to the larger 24-gallon setup to meet growing production needs. Each cycle now processes nearly 50 pounds of product, greatly improving throughput and reducing labor demands. Staff reported running over 80 batches in less than two months, noting, “We have not failed any tests since starting the use of the SteriRadHD system.”
The Operation Manager highlighted the patented Program Selector tool as a particularly valuable feature, saying it “has saved us a great deal of time and makes choosing the most efficient level of decontamination easy for me and the staff.” The tool allows users to select precise dose settings based on drum size, batch weight and decontamination requirements, which not only optimizes efficiency but also improves confidence in passing microbial testing.
The cultivation team at Green Truck, committed to growing clean product, values having a solution in place for when microbial levels come in slightly above regulatory limits. In those cases, a single x-ray cycle with the HD system is used to bring the batch into compliance, offering peace of mind that the product being delivered to dispensaries and consumers is both safe and consistent.
While the new 24-gallon drums are used for high- volume cycles, the 10-gallon configuration remains useful for tolling partners who supply smaller batches. Staff noted that swapping the shelf and switching between drum sizes was straightforward and well- supported by training. “It’s nice to have a choice.”
To support the upgrade, a complete dose mapping process was conducted on-site using 20 pounds of product in each of the 24-gallon drums. Once the drums were centered under the x-ray beams, full dose mapping was performed. Results showed that minimum dose rates were within 2% of those recorded in Precision’s R&D facility, confirming system accuracy in the field.
Following those results, staff received training on loading the larger drums, proper placement inside the system, and navigating the updated Program Selector software, now capable of handling weights ranging from 8 to 35 pounds per drum.
Additional testing addressed a common issue with prerolls sealed in metal tins— while products often passed microbial testing before packaging, some failed after being sealed. Dose mapping with 15 pounds of prerolls in a 10-gallon drum led to a correction factor that accounts for added x-ray absorption from the tin. With this adjustment, staff can now safely treat sealed prerolls and meet compliance standards without reopening them.
The SteriRadHD remains the only system in the industry that allows seamless switching between drum sizes, making it ideal for both large-scale and small-batch operations. With high throughput, flexible dose control, and minimal labor requirements, it supports modern cannabis processing demands.
This installation at Green Truck reflects the evolving standards of cannabis production, where precision, adaptability, and safety are essential. The upgrade marks a strong step forward in operational efficiency and product quality for cannabis cultivators, like Green Truck, in Maine and throughout the US.
