Ahead of MJBiz Conference 2024, taking place next week in Las Vegas, Business of Cannabis sat down with Yogesh Jhamtani, CEO & Co-Founder of Buffalo Extraction Systems, to discuss the company’s unique approach to supporting the rapidly growing cannabis industry.
With the demand for cannabis-derived products skyrocketing globally, Yogesh walks us through how Buffalo Extraction Systems has positioned itself as more than just an equipment provider and how they act as a dedicated technology partner to their clients.
I think if you look at the value chain of the cannabis industry, it really starts with the flower—whether for raw flower sales or medical flower use. Cannabis flower has been used for thousands of years, particularly in traditional medicine, for things like pain management and sleep remedies. More recently, we’ve seen growing legalization for both medical and recreational purposes, which has significantly expanded its applications.
The demand for extraction, I believe, is being driven by advancements in research. Ongoing studies on cannabinoids like THC and CBD for treating chronic pain, anxiety, epilepsy, and cancer-related symptoms are fueling the medical cannabis market. Additionally, cannabis is increasingly being seen as a complement or alternative to allopathic medicines, particularly in the wake of the opioid crisis. Physicians and patients are becoming more open to prescribing and using cannabis-based medicines and therapies.
Extraction technologies have been around for a long time—whether it’s CO2 extraction, ethanol extraction, cold water extraction, or purification techniques like distillation, chromatography, and crystallization. These methods are not unique to cannabis; they’ve been widely used for other crops as well. I often tell my clients and associates that cannabis is just another plant—it’s a technical one, but it relies on well-established extraction and purification processes.
That said, the unique demands of the cannabis industry, particularly around diverse product offerings and customization, have driven additional research and innovation. This includes advancements in cannabinoid isolation and value addition, enabling our customers to scale their products more effectively. While the machines and processes we use aren’t new, their line balancing and throughput are tailored to the cannabis industry’s specific needs.
Buffalo Extraction Systems CEO, Yogesh Jhamtani
On the wellness and medical side we’ve seen significant innovation and diversification in product offerings. For instance, cannabis- and CBD-infused beverages have gained popularity, particularly low-dose products catering to the microdosing trend in health and wellness. Products like mouth sprays, designed for use at night to promote better sleep, and functional infusions with vitamins for sustained, low-dose delivery throughout the day are becoming more common. Transdermal patches for pain management are another example of this innovation.
We’re also seeing an emphasis on eco-friendly products and thoughtful design in how these items are delivered. The industry has moved from traditional flower and gummies to more advanced products like tinctures, sprays, and personalized microdosing solutions. As the sector continues to mature, the focus is increasingly on delivering tailored, user-friendly experiences that meet the evolving needs of consumers.
The most traditional method of extracting compounds from any crop has always been ethanol—or alcohol-based extraction. Alcohol, by its nature, pulls out the nutrients and chemical compounds from the plant. Once this mixture was created, they would evaporate the alcohol to remove any residue, leaving behind the extracted oil. This process was entirely manual but effective.
From an engineering perspective, the basic principles remain the same: a solvent (like ethanol) is mixed with the plant material, which allows the desired compounds to be extracted. Modern technology, however, has significantly refined this process. For instance, using cold ethanol rather than conventional ethanol improves efficiency, safety, and the efficacy of the final product.
Investing in advanced extraction systems, such as those provided by Buffalo Extraction Systems, allows companies to achieve compliance with EU GMP and 21 CFR Part 11 standards. This ensures safe and efficient operations while maximizing output and return on investment. By partnering with the right technology providers, businesses can reduce operational headaches and focus on other core aspects of their work.
In today’s world, business success involves more than just straightforward transactions; it requires seamless integration of multiple moving parts. That’s where we come in—not just as equipment sellers, but as technology partners, ensuring our clients have the tools and support they need to thrive.
If you were a typical customer and we had a discussion, the first step would be understanding where you are in your journey. If you already have a clear product-market fit, that’s great, but if you’re still figuring it out, we help you evaluate whether you need to go all the way to isolate production or if starting with distillate makes more sense for your business.
While it might go against our vested interest, we often recommend scaling a project in phases if that approach offers a better return on investment (ROI) for the entire operation.
Once we establish the customer’s value proposition, we tailor our approach accordingly. Some clients come to us with a clear plan—they know their flower’s COA (Certificate of Analysis), the end product they need, and their timeline. From there, we provide solutions starting from raw material intake at the farm. This includes drying the flower while adhering to GACP (Good Agricultural and Collection Practices) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) standards, typically using convection drying systems.
Before this, we also assist with GMP design engineering, particularly for greenfield projects. If a customer hasn’t established their factory layout to GMP standards, we help design an efficient flow to minimize errors and maximize operational efficiency. We also consider the long-term vision of the founder, designing a layout that supports scalability over the next 10 years, so future expansions won’t pose significant challenges.
Once cultivation is complete, we step in at the appropriate stage, whether that involves drying equipment, extraction systems, post-processing, or even final product packaging and bottling solutions. Through our parent company, we can also provide automation solutions to streamline these processes. After the workflow is finalized, we deliver a turnkey project, typically within a one-month to 12-week installation timeline. During this time, our team, including myself, often remains on-site to oversee production cycles and ensure smooth operations.
It’s essential to be present during these initial phases because, while everything might look great on paper, practical challenges often arise during implementation. Being hands-on allows us to address any teething issues quickly and ensure the customer’s operation runs as planned. I hope that answers your question.
At Buffalo, our key message is that we build ecosystems. This philosophy goes beyond just providing high-quality, performance-driven equipment.
While equipment is often selected based on performance and quality, we aim to take things a step further by focusing on the service element. We partner with our clients, hand-holding them through successful production cycles, and offering support wherever needed, whether through knowledge-sharing, training, or troubleshooting.
Our approach is about creating lasting partnerships that enable our clients to succeed, not just supplying equipment. This commitment to collaboration and service is what sets us apart.
To book a meeting with Buffalo Extraction Systems and explore what they have to offer, you can use the links below:
Nov 25 – 29: https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/yogesh-jhamtani/yogesh-usa
Dec 01 – 24: https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/yogesh-jhamtani/yogesh-usa-2
The post Setting the Standard for 2025: Buffalo Extraction Systems’ Competitive Edge in Cannabis Extraction appeared first on Business of Cannabis.
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With the demand for cannabis-derived products skyrocketing globally, Yogesh walks us through how Buffalo Extraction Systems has positioned itself as more than just an equipment provider and how they act as a dedicated technology partner to their clients.
Yogesh, the demand for cannabis-derived products is skyrocketing. What factors are driving the growth of the extraction market, and how is Buffalo positioned to meet this demand?
I think if you look at the value chain of the cannabis industry, it really starts with the flower—whether for raw flower sales or medical flower use. Cannabis flower has been used for thousands of years, particularly in traditional medicine, for things like pain management and sleep remedies. More recently, we’ve seen growing legalization for both medical and recreational purposes, which has significantly expanded its applications.
The demand for extraction, I believe, is being driven by advancements in research. Ongoing studies on cannabinoids like THC and CBD for treating chronic pain, anxiety, epilepsy, and cancer-related symptoms are fueling the medical cannabis market. Additionally, cannabis is increasingly being seen as a complement or alternative to allopathic medicines, particularly in the wake of the opioid crisis. Physicians and patients are becoming more open to prescribing and using cannabis-based medicines and therapies.
Extraction technologies have been around for a long time—whether it’s CO2 extraction, ethanol extraction, cold water extraction, or purification techniques like distillation, chromatography, and crystallization. These methods are not unique to cannabis; they’ve been widely used for other crops as well. I often tell my clients and associates that cannabis is just another plant—it’s a technical one, but it relies on well-established extraction and purification processes.
That said, the unique demands of the cannabis industry, particularly around diverse product offerings and customization, have driven additional research and innovation. This includes advancements in cannabinoid isolation and value addition, enabling our customers to scale their products more effectively. While the machines and processes we use aren’t new, their line balancing and throughput are tailored to the cannabis industry’s specific needs.
Buffalo Extraction Systems CEO, Yogesh Jhamtani
How have you seen consumer preferences evolve when it comes to cannabis products, and how does that impact the demand for extraction technologies?
On the wellness and medical side we’ve seen significant innovation and diversification in product offerings. For instance, cannabis- and CBD-infused beverages have gained popularity, particularly low-dose products catering to the microdosing trend in health and wellness. Products like mouth sprays, designed for use at night to promote better sleep, and functional infusions with vitamins for sustained, low-dose delivery throughout the day are becoming more common. Transdermal patches for pain management are another example of this innovation.
We’re also seeing an emphasis on eco-friendly products and thoughtful design in how these items are delivered. The industry has moved from traditional flower and gummies to more advanced products like tinctures, sprays, and personalized microdosing solutions. As the sector continues to mature, the focus is increasingly on delivering tailored, user-friendly experiences that meet the evolving needs of consumers.
What are the key advantages of investing in advanced extraction technologies, such as those Buffalo offers, versus traditional methods?
The most traditional method of extracting compounds from any crop has always been ethanol—or alcohol-based extraction. Alcohol, by its nature, pulls out the nutrients and chemical compounds from the plant. Once this mixture was created, they would evaporate the alcohol to remove any residue, leaving behind the extracted oil. This process was entirely manual but effective.
From an engineering perspective, the basic principles remain the same: a solvent (like ethanol) is mixed with the plant material, which allows the desired compounds to be extracted. Modern technology, however, has significantly refined this process. For instance, using cold ethanol rather than conventional ethanol improves efficiency, safety, and the efficacy of the final product.
Investing in advanced extraction systems, such as those provided by Buffalo Extraction Systems, allows companies to achieve compliance with EU GMP and 21 CFR Part 11 standards. This ensures safe and efficient operations while maximizing output and return on investment. By partnering with the right technology providers, businesses can reduce operational headaches and focus on other core aspects of their work.
In today’s world, business success involves more than just straightforward transactions; it requires seamless integration of multiple moving parts. That’s where we come in—not just as equipment sellers, but as technology partners, ensuring our clients have the tools and support they need to thrive.
Buffalo is known for offering end-to-end solutions. Can you talk about how your comprehensive approach—spanning pre-processing, extraction, and post-processing—sets you apart from competitors?
If you were a typical customer and we had a discussion, the first step would be understanding where you are in your journey. If you already have a clear product-market fit, that’s great, but if you’re still figuring it out, we help you evaluate whether you need to go all the way to isolate production or if starting with distillate makes more sense for your business.
While it might go against our vested interest, we often recommend scaling a project in phases if that approach offers a better return on investment (ROI) for the entire operation.
Once we establish the customer’s value proposition, we tailor our approach accordingly. Some clients come to us with a clear plan—they know their flower’s COA (Certificate of Analysis), the end product they need, and their timeline. From there, we provide solutions starting from raw material intake at the farm. This includes drying the flower while adhering to GACP (Good Agricultural and Collection Practices) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) standards, typically using convection drying systems.
Before this, we also assist with GMP design engineering, particularly for greenfield projects. If a customer hasn’t established their factory layout to GMP standards, we help design an efficient flow to minimize errors and maximize operational efficiency. We also consider the long-term vision of the founder, designing a layout that supports scalability over the next 10 years, so future expansions won’t pose significant challenges.
Once cultivation is complete, we step in at the appropriate stage, whether that involves drying equipment, extraction systems, post-processing, or even final product packaging and bottling solutions. Through our parent company, we can also provide automation solutions to streamline these processes. After the workflow is finalized, we deliver a turnkey project, typically within a one-month to 12-week installation timeline. During this time, our team, including myself, often remains on-site to oversee production cycles and ensure smooth operations.
It’s essential to be present during these initial phases because, while everything might look great on paper, practical challenges often arise during implementation. Being hands-on allows us to address any teething issues quickly and ensure the customer’s operation runs as planned. I hope that answers your question.
As you prepare for MJBizCon, what message do you want attendees to take away about Buffalo Extraction Systems and your global impact?
At Buffalo, our key message is that we build ecosystems. This philosophy goes beyond just providing high-quality, performance-driven equipment.
While equipment is often selected based on performance and quality, we aim to take things a step further by focusing on the service element. We partner with our clients, hand-holding them through successful production cycles, and offering support wherever needed, whether through knowledge-sharing, training, or troubleshooting.
Our approach is about creating lasting partnerships that enable our clients to succeed, not just supplying equipment. This commitment to collaboration and service is what sets us apart.
To book a meeting with Buffalo Extraction Systems and explore what they have to offer, you can use the links below:
Nov 25 – 29: https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/yogesh-jhamtani/yogesh-usa
Dec 01 – 24: https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/yogesh-jhamtani/yogesh-usa-2
The post Setting the Standard for 2025: Buffalo Extraction Systems’ Competitive Edge in Cannabis Extraction appeared first on Business of Cannabis.
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