Two members of the Cannabis Control Commission acknowledged Thursday that the commission is investigating the January death of a 27-year-old cannabis cultivation facility worker in Holyoke.
CommonWealth Magazine reported this month that Lorna McMurrey died after a shift at Trulieve’s Holyoke facility, and that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration had fined the company $35,200 upon finding that McMurrey inhaled ground cannabis dust and could not breathe.
“What happened on Jan. 4 of this year was sad, it was tragic, and it was unfortunate,” Commissioner Nurys Camargo said. “This is serious. I know we have an open investigation into the incident at Trulieve in Holyoke, but it’s also a reminder to the industry, to us at the CCC, and the employees working in this sector; employee safety and public health is crucial everywhere.”
Commissioner Ava Callender Concepcion also acknowledged the commission’s investigation and said she expects the agency to make more information public as the process plays out.
“We take that very seriously and I think we will be able to provide more information as things come along,” she said.