- A Marijuana Establishment authorized to process marijuana shall do so in a safe and sanitary manner. A Marijuana Establishment shall process the leaves and flowers of the female marijuana plant only, which shall be:
- Well cured and generally free of seeds and stems;’
- Free of dirt, sand, debris, and other foreign matter;
- Free of contamination by mold, rot, other fungus, and bacterial diseases;
- Prepared and handled on food-grade stainless steel tables; and
- Packaged in a secure area.
- All Marijuana Establishments, including those that develop or process non-edible marijuana products, shall comply with the following sanitary requirements:
- Any marijuana establishment agent whose job includes contact with marijuana or nonedible marijuana products, including cultivation, production, or packaging, is subject to the requirements for food handlers specified in 105 CMR 300.000: Reportable Diseases, Surveillance, and Isolation and Quarantine Requirements;
- Any marijuana establishment agent working in direct contact with preparation of marijuana or nonedible marijuana products shall conform to sanitary practices while on duty, including:
- Maintaining adequate personal cleanliness; and
- Washing hands thoroughly in an adequate hand-washing area before starting work, and at any other time when hands may have become soiled or contaminated.
- Hand-washing facilities shall be adequate and convenient and shall be furnished with running water at a suitable temperature. Hand-washing facilities shall be located in the Marijuana Establishment in production areas and where good sanitary practices require employees to wash and sanitize their hands, and shall provide effective hand-cleaning and sanitizing preparations and sanitary towel service or suitable drying devices;
- There shall be sufficient space for placement of equipment and storage of materials as is necessary for the maintenance of sanitary operations;
- Litter and waste shall be properly removed, disposed of so as to minimize the development of odor and minimize the potential for the waste attracting and harboring pests. The operating systems for waste disposal shall be maintained in an adequate manner pursuant to 935 CMR 500.105(12);
- Floors, walls, and ceilings shall be constructed in such a manner that they may be adequately kept clean and in good repair;
- There shall be adequate safety lighting in all processing and storage areas, as well as areas where equipment or utensils are cleaned;
- Buildings, fixtures, and other physical facilities shall be maintained in a sanitary condition;
- All contact surfaces, including utensils and equipment, shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Such surfaces shall be cleaned and sanitized as frequently as necessary to protect against contamination, using a sanitizing agent registered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in accordance with labeled instructions. Equipment and utensils shall be so designed and of such material and workmanship as to be adequately cleanable;
- All toxic items shall be identified, held, and stored in a manner that protects against contamination of marijuana products;
- A Marijuana Establishment’s water supply shall be sufficient for necessary operations. Any private water source shall be capable of providing a safe, potable, and adequate supply of water to meet the Marijuana Establishment’s needs;
- Plumbing shall be of adequate size and design, and adequately installed and maintained to carry sufficient quantities of water to required locations throughout the Marijuana Establishment. Plumbing shall properly convey sewage and liquid disposable waste from the Marijuana Establishment. There shall be no cross-connections between the potable and waste water lines;
- A Marijuana Establishment shall provide its employees with adequate, readily accessible toilet facilities that are maintained in a sanitary condition and in good repair;
- Products that can support the rapid growth of undesirable microorganisms shall be held in a manner that prevents the growth of these microorganisms; and
- Storage and transportation of finished products shall be under conditions that will protect them against physical, chemical, and microbial contamination as well as against deterioration of finished products or their containers.
- All vehicles and transportation equipment used in the transportation of marijuana products or edibles requiring temperature control for safety must be designed, maintained, and equipped as necessary to provide adequate temperature control to prevent the marijuana products or edibles from becoming unsafe during transportation, consistent with applicable requirements pursuant to 21 CFR 1.908(c).
- All Marijuana Establishments, including those that develop or process edible marijuana products, shall comply with sanitary requirements. All edible products shall be prepared, handled, and stored in compliance with the sanitation requirements in 105 CMR 590.000: Minimum Sanitation Standards for Food Establishments.
Massachusetts Responsible Vendor Training