After a surprise inspection found numerous violations, The PA Department of Health ordered AGRiMED Industries of PA, LLC, to cease and desist harvesting, cutting or destroying marijuana plants at it’s Carmichaels, Pa. facility. The grower can harvest unique strains but must have a department inspector present at its medical marijuana growing and processing facility when harvesting or otherwise.
During the unexpected inspection, AGRiMED was unable to produce records showing how or when it destroyed marijuana plants that matured. Plants that reach maturity and are not processed must either be harvested, trimmed or destroyed. because the security cameras were frequently non-functional, it also could not produce security footage of the destruction of the plants, as required.
“Lapses in security cannot and will not be tolerated,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “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 be able to grow plants to cultivate its unique strains but is prohibited from removing anything from the marijuana plants outside the presence of a department inspector. It also is prohibited from turning off security equipment at any time without written authorization from the department. If there is an outage for any reason, it must be immediately reported to the department.
AGRiMED received a medical marijuana grower/processor permit in June 2017 and became operational in February 2018. The facility has been growing marijuana, but its processing equipment is inoperative, so there has been no processing or shipping of medication to be sold at dispensaries.
For more information about the Department of Health, visit www.health.pa.gov.