San Jose cannabis dispensary to pay $50,000 for pesticide-related violations

Theraleaf used a pesticide that was not approved for cannabis, per prosecutors.

SANTA CLARA COUNTY - A San Jose cannabis dispensary will pay $50,000 to settle claims it broke laws related to the safe application of pesticides, prosecutors said.

The case centered on Relentless Enterprises Inc., a licensed cannabis dispensary doing business as Theraleaf. According to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, the company used a pesticide that was not approved for cannabis while cultivating cannabis at its San Jose facility between May and July 2020.

Theraleaf also allowed untrained workers to prepare and apply pesticides to cannabis without wearing all the required personal protective equipment, and a worker who was not wearing any personal protective equipment was allowed to enter a grow room that had been recently treated with a pesticide, prosecutors said.

The civil settlement is the first between the district attorney’s office and a licensed cannabis dispensary.

“Retail cannabis dispensaries are part of our community and are required to operate in accordance with the law,” Deputy District Attorney Christopher Judge said in a statement. “The citizens of Santa Clara County have an expectation that their cannabis products are produced in a manner that is safe for consumers and dispensary employees.”

Prosecutors said they began investigating the company after receiving a referral from the county’s Division of Agriculture. There were no reports of harm to customers.

In addition to paying civil penalties and costs, Theraleaf agreed to be bound to a permanent injunction never to improperly apply pesticides again, according to the district attorney’s office.

Prosecutors said the company also cooperated with the investigation and took steps to improve their compliance with environmental protection and worker safety laws.