In a recent development from Baltimore, a dispensary in Maryland faces a $26,000 penalty for the sale of cannabis, which was discovered in a dumpster for a duration of two days. This action comes as a result of a consent order issued by the Maryland Cannabis Administration.
Per the details of the consent order, a total of 224 grams of cannabis was disposed of in a dumpster adjacent to the Curio’s Far & Dotter dispensary and remained unattended for over 41 hours. Surveillance systems captured footage of three employees rescuing four boxes of the pre-packaged cannabis from the dumpster. Additional video evidence depicted another staff member repackaging the cannabis into plastic bags after removing them from the soaked original packaging, and then securing them in a vault.
An MCA investigator was informed by the employee involved that the original packaging was compromised with a liquid from the dumpster, necessitating the repackage into plastic bags, as stated in the consent order.
An inventory manager expressed via email that the compromised product should be discarded as it fell short of several regulatory standards. However, it was reported that the management decided to proceed with the sale to avoid financial losses. Consequently, the dispensary sold the retrieved product from July 28 to August 3, 2023, amassing a total of $3,174.50 in sales. Following the incident, the manager’s association with Far & Dotter was discontinued around August 20, 2023.
A representative for Curio communicated through an email, as reported by The Baltimore Banner, emphasizing the company’s dedication to maintaining robust relationships with both customers and staff. The spokesperson clarified that the implicated product was securely sealed within jars and boxes, ensuring that the contents remained uncontaminated by external elements.
Curio disclosed that it has undertaken an in-depth internal review and reaffirmed its commitment to stringent adherence to safety and compliance protocols, highlighting that deviations from these standards are neither overlooked nor accepted.
The dispensary has been mandated, in addition to the financial penalty, to undergo monthly inspections of its green waste logs and scale calibration and cleaning records by the MCA. Furthermore, it is required to conduct retraining sessions for its employees on proper green waste management practices.
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