Search

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.

CAHWBanner2.jpg

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

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Lion Technology workshops are amazing!! You always learn so much, and the instructors are fantastic.

Dorothy Rurak

Environmental Specialist

I used the IT support number available and my issue was resolved within a few minutes. I don't see anything that could have made it better.

Danny Province

EHS Professional

The instructor kept the class engaged and made learning fun. There was a lot of information to cover but time flew by. I will definitely use Lion in the future!

Chelsea Minguela

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The course was very informative and presented in a way that was easily understood and remembered. I would recommend this course.

Jeffrey Tierno

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Attending Lion Technology classes should be mandatory for every facility that ships or stores hazmat.

Genell Drake

Outbound Lead

The instructor was excellent. They knew all of the material without having to read from a notepad or computer.

Gary Hartzell

Warehouse Supervisor

Much better than my previous class with another company. The Lion instructor made sense, kept me awake and made me laugh!

Marti Severs

Enterprise Safety Manager

I love that the instructor emphasized the thought process behind the regs.

Rebecca Saxena

Corporate Product Stewardship Specialist

The online course was well thought out and organized, with good interaction between the student and the course.

Larry Ybarra

Material Release Agent

The instructor did an excellent job presenting a very dry subject; keeping everyone interested and making it enjoyable.

Marc Bugg

Hazardous Waste Professional

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Some limited quantity reliefs are reserved for specific modes of transport. Use this guide to identify which reliefs you can capitalize on, and which do not apply to your operations.

Latest Whitepaper

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.