CANNABIS EXTRACTION COMPANY EMPLOYEES INJURED IN BUILDING EXPLOSION

Queen Anne's County, MD - Two employees have been injured following an explosion at a cannabis extraction facility. The incident occurred at PharmaCann, a leading business in the cannabis extraction industry, located in Stevensville on the afternoon of January 22, 2024.

Emergency services, including the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department, were called to the scene on the 300 block of Log Canoe Circle shortly before 2:00 p.m. The fire sprinkler system effectively contained the extent of the damage, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal was subsequently brought in to conduct an investigation.

In response to potential risks surrounding hazardous materials, hazmat teams from both Anne Arundel County and Dorchester County were dispatched to the location.

Early reports from investigators confirm that the explosion happened within an extraction booth where propane and butane are typically used. While the exact cause has yet to be determined, the investigation remains ongoing.

Of the two injured parties, one is said to be in severe, but non-life-threatening condition. Thanks to the complex's emergency response systems, which include alarms and ventilation, the damage and injury severity was significantly minimized.

The force of the explosion led to extensive damage to both the building and fire sprinkler system. This necessitated the evacuation and temporary closure of nearby properties at 337, 343, 345, and 345 Log Canoe Circle.

Although an exact figure has not yet been established, damage estimates already exceed $250,000.

In the aftermath of the incident, the Maryland State Police, Queen Anne's County Fire Marshal's Office, and the Alcohol, Tobacco, Cannabis Commission (ATCC) are providing assistance.

PharmaCann, who describes itself as one of the nation's largest vertically integrated cannabis companies, has been operating at the Stevensville location where the incident took place for the past four years. They specialize in processes related to cannabis extraction.

The ongoing investigation aims to shed light on the cause of the explosion and the exact sequence of events leading up to the incident.