Marijuana officials warn MA pesticide crackdown could stymie MMJ industry

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Massachusetts medical marijuana industry officials cautioned that a crackdown by state regulators on their use of pesticides, including natural compounds used by the organic food industry, could hamstring cultivators and curb MMJ supplies.

The Boston Globe reported that state health department inspectors shuttered Colorado-based medical cannabis firm Good Chemistry’s growing, processing and retail operations in Massachusetts earlier this month.

The inspectors charged that Good Chemistry workers at the Bellingham operation used unapproved pesticides, causing a threat to public health and safety.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • The company was allowed to reopen its Worcester dispensary and sell products from other suppliers.
  • Good Chemistry contends it used substances approved by the federal government for organic food.
  • The Globe reported the compounds have been approved by Oregon, Colorado, Washington and Nevada for use on marijuana.
  • Good Chemistry disclosed its intention to use the pesticides twice before it opened – once when it applied for a license and again when it filed the details of its cultivation facility.
  • The pesticides are two organic fungicides – sulfur and regalia – as well as pyrethrin, which is derived from flowers.