Florida based cannabis giant Trulieve has agreed to pay a settlement fine of $350,000 following the death of one of its workers in 2022.
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) is understood to have reached a tentative settlement with the company on May 29, before it was unanimously approved last week.
As part of the settlement following the death of Lorna McMurrey, a former staff member at the company’s now-closed manufacturing facility in Massachusetts, the CCC determined that Trulieve had ‘failed to comply’ with a number of workplace safety procedures, NBC Boston reported.
Last year, federal investigators reported that McMurrey, 27, was working in the Holyoke facility when she experienced respiratory issues, ultimately resulting in a fatal asthma attack.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found that the issues were related to exposure to ground cannabis, and that workers were not provided with enough information and training on the hazards involved in the grinding and production processes.
Trulieve was subsequently fined $35,200 by OSHA in November 2023, but the company could yet be forced to pay out further damages.
In October 2022, the company stated: “We believe we have demonstrated a safe and healthy work environment, but we will of course work with OSHA and the Massachusetts CCC to address their concerns,” adding that McMurrey was also wearing an N95 mask for at least a portion of the day.
McMurrey’s family is currently pursuing a civil lawsuit against the company, claiming wrongful death and negligence, and has requested a jury trial and unspecified damages.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for May 2026, according to court records.
