Typically when we cover fines and stipulated agreements between the commonwealth and Mass cannabis businesses, the state agency making the call is the Cannabis Control Commission. Earlier this month, for example, a licensee in Western Mass was knocked for “pennying out,” which is commission slang for “distributing Marijuana and Marijuana Products in [a company’s] inventory to Registered Agents, Consumers, and other Licensees far below market price, for example a penny, five cents, or a dollar.”
This latest violation is somewhat unique though. According to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, it has “assessed a $7,730 penalty to The Botanist, Inc., for violating air quality, hazardous waste and industrial wastewater regulations at its cannabis cultivation facility in Sterling.” More below:
MassDEP identified multiple violations including failure to submit an air emissions plan application for the Sterling facility, failure to register as a generator of waste oil, and failure to submit proper certifications for wastewater holding tanks. The facility was also found to have discharged industrial wastewater into the onsite septic system.
Under MassDEP’s Administrative Consent Order with Penalty, the company must pay $7,730 and conduct the actions required to return to compliance, including submitting an air plan for facility emissions, registering as a generator of waste oil, submitting certifications for facility wastewater holding tanks, and ceasing the discharge of industrial wastewater to the onsite septic system.
“Manufacturing operations must comply with state air quality and hazardous waste regulations to protect public health and the environment,” John Beling, director of MassDEP’s Central Regional Office in Worcester, said in a statement. “The Botanist, Inc., has a responsibility to manage its air emissions, waste oil and wastewater, and take the necessary steps to return to compliance.”
We asked the DEP if it has previously issued any fines to cannabis companies, and will update this article if they give us more info.
