X-ray Cannabis Decontamination. The Non-Evasive way to Kill 99.9% of Mold, Yeast, Aspergillus, E.Coli and Other Uninvited Microbials.
We help operators pass state microbial testing requirements — without gamma radiation, chemicals, or heat that can damage or alter quality, color, terpenes, and cannabinoids.
Understanding The Real Need for Decontamination
Mold and pathogens in cannabis create a "double-threat" of medical and financial catastrophe. For consumers, especially those with weakened immune systems, contamination of these "silent killers" can lead to life-threatening lung infections like Aspergillosis, severe respiratory distress, and long-term toxicity from mycotoxins.
Microbial contamination is one of the most pressing challenges for cannabis cultivators today. With strict state regulations mandating safe microbial levels for human consumption, compliance is non-negotiable. Molds like Aspergillus and yeasts are considered harmful enough that most states have implemented tight standards and limits on what is allowed. In some cases, the limit is "Undetectable." Without a "Kill-Step" in your SOP's to manage your unwanted microbials, you risk consumer safety, state testing failures, and lost time and profits. Integrating a kill step into our production process, we ensure the highest safety and quality standards, allowing you to deliver clean, compliant cannabis products to market with confidence.
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Cannabis frequently fails state microbial testing even in well-managed grow operations. When a batch fails, options are limited and time-sensitive. Today, X-ray irradiation is widely regarded as the gold standard for high-volume decontamination. X-ray decontamination is a "cold" sterilization process that eliminates up to 99.9% of pathogens by using deep-penetrating photons to disrupt microbial DNA. Unlike heat or chemical treatments, X-rays target only minute DNA strands, leaving larger compounds like THC and terpenes intact to preserve the flower's potency, aroma, and color.
Our systems are engineered specifically for cannabis processing and your GMP-compliant decontamination workflows. As cannabis processors move toward pharmaceutical-grade standards, cannabis processing, GMP-compliant decontamination has become essential for passing microbial testing and meeting regulatory expectations. Kimtron’s ionizing-radiation solutions support full GMP documentation, batch traceability, and validated microbial reduction, giving cultivators and manufacturers a proven method to ensure product safety without compromising potency or quality.
"Harvest Proofing" Your Operation: The ROI of Decontamination
The initial capital investment for advanced decontamination technology—such as X-ray systems—can certainly lead to "sticker shock" for many operators. However, viewing this equipment as a luxury often overlooks the massive financial risks inherent in modern cannabis cultivation. A single failed batch due to Aspergillus or high microbial counts doesn't just represent lost product; it results in wasted labor, energy, and nutrients, alongside the logistical headache of remediation or destruction. When you calculate the total cost of failure—which includes potential state fines, product recalls, and the irreparable damage to your brand’s reputation—the equipment often pays for itself within the first year. By shifting from a reactive "hope we pass" mindset to a proactive "guaranteed pass" strategy, you secure your revenue stream and transform a high upfront cost into a long-term insurance policy for your facility’s profitability.
Addressing Common Misconceptions About X-ray Decontamination
X-ray decontamination is sometimes misunderstood due to its association with radiation, but the process used in cannabis is fundamentally different from nuclear or radioactive technologies. While premium brands fear that decontamination ruins flower quality, modern low-dose X-ray and e-beam technologies are designed to eliminate microbes without affecting aroma, potency, or visual appeal. Properly calibrated, these cold-process methods maintain product integrity, making them a necessary risk-management tool for safeguarding brand reputation against microbial recalls.
We generate X-rays electrically, only when powered on, and leave no residual radiation in the product. The treatment does not make cannabis radioactive, alter its genetic material, or introduce chemicals or heat. In regulated industries such as food inspection, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals, X-ray technology has been safely used for decades as a precise, non-contact method to reduce microbial risk while preserving product integrity.
Real Protection for Your Consumers
Consumers are increasingly drawn to cannabis brands that prioritize natural integrity and responsible processing. X-ray treatment supports that commitment by delivering effective microbial control without chemicals or residual byproducts. It’s a smarter, cleaner way to safeguard your product—helping ensure every batch meets the highest standards of safety and trust.
Comparison of Cannabis Microbial Decontamination/Remediation Methods & Technologies.
​Cannabis microbial Decontamination can be achieved using several different technologies, each with distinct capabilities and limitations. Surface-oriented methods such as UV-C light, cold plasma, ozone, and steam primarily act on the exterior of the flower and may not fully address internal mold or pathogens such as Aspergillus. Radio frequency (RF) systems use electromagnetic energy to interact with moisture within the product, which can result in volumetric warming and microbial reduction but may also affect terpene and cannabinoid profiles if not carefully controlled. Gamma irradiation provides full-batch penetration but relies on radioactive sources and can involve additional regulatory and logistical considerations. X-ray decontamination, by contrast, delivers deep, uniform penetration without radioactive isotopes or chemical residues, helping operators reduce microbial contamination throughout the product while preserving flower integrity and supporting compliance requirements.
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Kimtron X-ray systems use electrically generated radiation with no radioactive isotopes. When operated within validated parameters, X-ray decontamination is permitted in most U.S. cannabis markets where remediation is allowed, provided operators follow state reporting and testing requirements.
X-ray has become the industry standard because it's the most effective solution for cannabis decontamination. Here's why and what makes Kimtron's cutting-edge technology uniquely different.
What makes our HiRad Systems so unique?
X-ray technology for cannabis decontamination isn’t exclusive to Kimtron. While we may have been early pioneers, others have since developed X-ray and ionizing radiation systems.
What truly sets our HiRad system apart is how we apply X-rays.
Our patented Uniform Dispersion technology delivers the most homogenous and evenly distributed dose. Unlike other systems, which often need to overdose the product to ensure the most distant areas receive enough photons to deactivate bioburden, our system delivers even homogenous precision where it matters.
Think of it like baking a cake—most systems overbake the outside to cook the center. With our HiRad systems, every "slice" gets perfectly and evenly treated. And to be clear: X-rays don’t burn or heat cannabis. The cake analogy simply illustrates our ability to provide consistent, uniform dosing through all the buds.
We don’t waste time, energy, or photons.
This video of our HiRad 6002 shows the patented Uniform Dispersion process in action—a technology consistent across all our HiRad systems.
As shown in the video, our patented process—rotating the filled container while moving the X-ray emitters from bottom to top—uniquely maintains consistent, targeted dosing throughout the entire biomass.
Our user-friendly Photon Purification™ HiRad systems deliver clean, safe, heat-free, and chemical-free decontamination, targeting mold and microbial pathogens down to the DNA level. CFUs can be reduced to undetectable levels, all while preserving the product’s terpenes, cannabinoids, appearance, aroma, flavor, and texture.
Currently, X-rays are the only technology that can fully and effortlessly penetrate cannabis flower from end to end—eliminating hidden “cave dwellers” and halting microbial replication post-treatment. We can even treat fully packaged products.
Keeping it COOL with our UNIQUE Cool Cabinet Feature.
We know how important it is to keep your cannabis cool. We'll never heat your weed. We get it. Terpenes can begin to break down at temperatures as low as 80 degrees.
Calling on our 30-plus years of experience in harsh and often HOT industrial environments, Kimtron’s exclusive “COOL Process” ensures your product stays COOL during decontamination.
All HiRad systems come with our exclusive closed-loop, ambient temperature WA-12000 X-ray tube cooler. You don't pay extra, and you don't have to supply chilled water.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does X-ray make cannabis radioactive?
No, the process does not make the cannabis product radioactive.
The radiation passes through the product but does not remain in it after treatment
is complete.
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How does X-ray differ from gamma radiation or other methods?
X-ray is often preferred over gamma rays because they do not use radioactive isotopes, which require specialized licensing and disposal. It is also considered more effective than ozone or UV light, because it penetrates deeply into the center of dense buds, rather than just treating the surface.
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Will this affect terpenes or THC?
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Cannabinoids: Studies generally indicate that irradiation does not significantly alter THC or CBD content.
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Terpenes: Only a barely detectable reduction in certain delicate terpenes due to accelerated evaporation, not X-rays, and no new, harmful components are formed.
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Physical Appearance: The process is typically conducted at room temperature and generally does not affect the moisture content or physical appearance of the dried flower.
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What is ionizing radiation for cannabis decontamination?
Ionizing radiation (such as gamma rays, electron beams, and X-rays) uses high-energy wavelengths to penetrate cannabis flower and disrupt the DNA of microorganisms, effectively killing them and ensuring the product is safe for consumption, particularly for medical patients with compromised immune systems. This process is used globally for many products, including medical devices, spices, and certain foods.
Is irradiated cannabis safe for consumption?
Yes, regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) consider irradiated products safe for consumption. However, since the cannabis industry is not federally regulated in the U.S., a patchwork of state-level rules means some consumers and businesses remain cautious due to a lack of long-term, specific studies on inhaled irradiated cannabis.
Can you treat pre-packaged products?
Yes. X-ray technology can penetrate packaging, allowing producers to decontaminate finished, packaged goods (such as pre-rolls or jars), saving them from having to destroy failed batches.
Does this method prevent mold from returning?
Yes. X-ray disrupts the DNA of microorganisms, effectively killing them and preventing microbial regrowth.
Key Points
• Easy to use. No special training is required.
​• "Keeping it COOL", with our exclusive Cool cabinet and our WA-12000 tube
The cooler requires NO CHILLED WATER.
​• Terpenes, cannabinoids, look, taste, smell, and feel virtually unchanged
• Our unique "Uniform Dispersion" provides equal, consistent dosage & penetrates
through and through. No missed spots or "cave dwellers" left hiding for future re-
population.
• DNA destroyed and rendered inactive
​• Can bring CFUs to undetectable levels
• Engineered and Made in the USA
• 6000 series Systems can be upgraded on-site for faster throughputs to keep up
with business
• Designed for 100% duty cycle 24/7
​• Can remediate "in-package" product
• An exceptionally easy-to-do business with Company…
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