Dept. of Health issues cease and desist order to medical marijuana grower

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has ordered a Greene County medical marijuana grower/processor to discontinue most of its operations after a surprise inspection found numerous violations.

The state told AGRiMED Industries of Carmichaels to cease and desist harvesting, cutting or destroying marijuana plants without a department inspector present.

During the surprise inspection, AGRiMED was not able to produce records establishing how or when it destroyed marijuana plants that matured. It also could not produce security footage of the destruction of the plants, as required, because the security cameras were often not functioning. Plants that reach maturity and are not processed must be either trimmed or destroyed.

“Lapses in security cannot and will not be tolerated,” said Secretary of Health Rachel Levine. “Patients and communities are relying on us to ensure their medication is grown and processed in a safe, secure location, and we take that responsibility very seriously.”

Under the cease and desist order, AGRiMED will still be able to grow plants to cultivate its unique strains, but is prohibited from removing anything from the marijuana plants without a department inspector being present. It is also prohibited from turning off security equipment at any time without written authorization from the department.