As more people join the weed workforce and plant products emerge as a consumer-packaged good (CPG) space, scrutiny of safety and standards has continued to rear its head. The industry saw a brutal reckoning after the death of Trulieve employee Lorna McMurrey, who passed away after an asthma attack thought to be triggered by inhaling cannabis dust. Now, two more deaths potentially linked to pot production have led to even more cause for concern.
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Two men from Rochester, New York, died following a rare lung infection linked to the use of bat guano in cannabis cultivation. A case study of the deaths revealed the men developed Histoplasmosis, a type of pneumonia caused by inhaling H. capsulatum, which are fungal spores typically found in bird and bat droppings.
Both men were using bat guano (aka bat poop) as fertilizer for their homegrown pot plants, a common practice among cultivators. One had obtained commercial bat guano, while the other collected it himself from his attic after an infestation.
Illness from H. capsulatum is incredibly rare, and death even more so. The men in the case study had pre-existing conditions which were likely worsened by the exposure. The case study authors called for testing of commercial fertilizers containing bat guano to ensure the fungus is not present. Safety measures such as wearing face masks are recommended when using bat guano for weed or other crops.
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As the cannabis market evolves, so does the need for industry standards. Groups like ASTM are working to develop these standards, but a piecemeal approach to legalization means each state will define its own regulations until a nationwide industry is formed. Furthermore, the lack of worker protections for cannabis employees means those exposed to potentially hazardous materials are at risk.
Cannabis, used as a medicine by so many, should be safe to both consume and produce. Cases like that of the Rochester men and Lorna McMurrey underscore the need for a unified industry and more stringent standards to achieve this goal.
