Pesticides, mold among Auburn pot grower's violations
Investigators found bugs and mold — which prompted the illegal application of pesticides — at an Auburn medical marijuana growing operation that supplies four Maine dispensaries. The company, which is the state's largest medical marijuana distributor, was cited for 20 violations.
The Sun Journal reported a weeks-long investigation of the Wellness Connection of Maine's Auburn growing facility found the operation, in response to bugs and mold, began illegally using pesticides on its marijuana plants. The paper reported the company, which serves around 2,400 patients, has signed a consent agreement with the state, stipulating a number of conditions, including that the company stop using pesticides.
Many states allow the use of pesticides in medical marijuana growing operations but Maine does not, citing uncertain results when pesticide-treated marijuana is smoked.
State regulators also ordered the company to stop selling an illegal form of marijuana, called kief or kiefer, and to submit to frequent state inspections.
The Sun Journal reported that multiple employees, on the condition of anonymity, had contacted the paper over the past two weeks, describing what they called unsanitary conditions at the Auburn growing facility. In February, employees told the paper they staged a one-day walk-out over those issues, prompting management to promise changes.
Regulators told the paper the state was prepared to revoke the company's license Monday if it did not sign an agreement with the state to correct a number of violations that also included a lack of property security, allowing unlicensed workers on site and failing to properly inventory stock.
The paper also reported investigators found a conflict of interest with the company's board of directors, as one board member, Patricia Rose-Santucci, was also serving as the company's vice president of marketing.
The paper reported the company will be allowed to sell its remaining pesticide-treated marijuana as long as it notifies patients that pesticides were used.
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