Cannabis Company Accused of Illegally Dumping Ethanol

Posted on 7/12/2019 by Lion Technology Inc.

A marijuana production facility has been indicted by Federal prosecutors for the alleged illegal disposal of over 1,500 lbs. of hazardous waste on various properties within San Diego County, CA.

The seven-page indictment, filed on June 27, 2019, alleges that the marijuana company paid an unlicensed garbage hauler in cash to dump 28 drums filled with ethanol waste at at least five separate, unlicensed locations in San Diego and El Cajon, California.

Prosecutors allege that one of the co-owners and a facility administrator conspired to knowingly transport and dispose of the hazardous waste without a manifest, receipts, invoices, or paperwork to these unpermitted sites.

The indictment also claims these alleged illegal disposals began in February 2018, seven months before the company received a Conditional Use Permit to operate the 7,200 square foot marijuana production facility.

Ethanol as a Hazardous Waste

Ethanol is a regulated hazardous waste that is often used as a solvent when processing THC and cannabis oil. With a flash point of less than 140°F, ethanol is characterized as a hazardous waste for its ignitability.

This ignitability makes ethanol a common source of fires at marijuana processing facilities. According to a San Diego County spokesperson, the Environmental Health Department responds to roughly 30 incidents annually of "fires, explosions, and endangerment to the public" caused by THC and cannabis oil operations.

Find California Hazardous Waste Training to Fit Your Schedule

Stay up to date on the latest hazardous waste regulations that CA managers and personnel must know with Lion’s California Hazardous Waste Management course. Learn to navigate and apply California’s unique Title 22 regulations to real-world scenarios so you can go back to your facility with the confidence to manage your site’s wastes, activities, and off-site shipments.

Tags: California, cannabis, enforcement, EPA, ethanol, hazardous waste, marijuana, Title 22

Find a Post

Search for:

Compliance Topics

Compliance Archives

The instructor was very engaging and helped less experienced people understand the concepts.

Steve Gall

Safety Leader

My experience with Lion training, both online and in the classroom, is that they are far better organized and provide a better sequential explanation of the material.

Robert Roose

Manager, Dangerous Goods Transportation

This was the 1st instructor that has made the topic actually enjoyable and easy to follow and understand. Far better than the "other" training providers our company has attended!

Lori Hardy

Process & Resource Administrator

Excellent. I learned more in two days with Lion than at a 5-day program I took with another provider.

Francisco Gallardo

HES Technician

My experience with Lion classes has always been good. Lion Technology always covers the EPA requirements I must follow.

Steven Erlandson

Environmental Coordinator

Lion's online training is more comprehensive, has better slides, and is a superior training experience than what I would get from other trainers.

Robert Brenner

District Environmental Manager

I have been to other training companies, but Lion’s material is much better and easier to understand.

Mark Abell

Regional Manager

Lion was very extensive. There was a lot of things that were covered that were actually pertaining to what I do and work with. Great Job. I will be coming back in three years!

Tony Petrik

Hazmat Shipping Professional

These are the best classes I attend each year. I always take something away and implement improvements at my sites.

Kim Racine

EH&S Manager

The instructor's energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge of the subject make the class a great learning experience!

Brian Martinez

Warehouse Operator

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Get to know the top 5 changes to OSHA’s revised GHS Hazard Communication Standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200 and how the updates impacts employee safety at your facility.

Download

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.