Marijuana producer may lose license after Santa Fe fire

SANTA FE — A medical marijuana producer is in danger of losing its license in the wake of a fire at a Santa Fe facility 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, which include failing to train their staff on how 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.