Cannabis producer to work with OSHA on hazardous chemicals study

A Florida cannabis company announced Thursday that it has reached a voluntary agreement with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and that it will help the agency study issues regarding hazardous chemicals in marijuana production.

Trulieve Cannabis Corp. was originally fined $35,219 for three serious violations, two of which were withdrawn: “safety data sheet” and providing training under OSHA’s hazard communication standard. The remaining citation, which identified the standard for listing “hazardous chemicals,” was replaced with a citation about conducting a hazard analysis. The fine was reduced to $14,502, according to the Tallahassee-based company.

Under the agreement, Trulieve says it will undertake a study to determine whether ground cannabis dust is required to be classified as a “hazardous chemical” in the occupational setting, according to OSHA regulations. Work on the study is to be completed by May 29, 2023.

Pending the outcome of the study, Trulieve says it will design and implement a temporary information and training program that alerts employees to potential allergic reactions they might experience working with ground cannabis dust in an occupational setting. The program will include information about steps employees should take if they experience symptoms of allergies related to ground cannabis dust.