Facility fire threatens marijuana license

SANTA FE — A medical marijuana producer is in danger of losing its license in the wake of a fire at a Santa Fe facility that left two workers hurt.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reported Saturday that the New Mexico Department of Health is weighing whether to revoke the license for New Mexicann Natural Medicine.

Authorities say the October fire started after two employees were in the midst of a cannabis extraction process. One lost his grip as both were carrying a large metal vessel with a mixture of ethanol and cannabis oil. Some of the mixture spilled onto a heater plate.

The state health department suspended the dispensary’s ability to manufacture cannabis products, according to a notice from December. Officials say New Mexicann did not follow the rules of the Medical

Cannabis Program, and failed to train staff to use the equipment properly.

It is the second incident at that location after an explosion occurred there in 2015.

New Mexicann, which has been licensed since 2009, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.