Workers Suffer Burns in Cannabis Manufacturing Explosion

The explosion occurred around the company's chemical extraction equipment.

Two workers have been hospitalized following an explosion at a New Mexico cannabis manufacturing facility.

On Oct. 15, workers at the New MexiCann Natural Medicine facility in Santa Fe suffered severe burns and were airlifted to a Denver burn center.

The explosion was reported around 12:40 p.m. and occurred around the company's chemical extraction equipment.

On Friday, the fire department received search warrants to obtain camera footage from New MexiCann. 

Investigators don't yet know the cause of the explosion, and the department of health has suspended the company’s medical cannabis production license.

According to the Albuquerque Journal, this is the second explosion in the last five years to injure New MexiCann employees. 

A 2015 explosion injured two workers and the state Occupational Health and Safety Bureau fined the company $13,500 after it found 12 workplace safety violations. The company agreed to pay a $7,250 settlement. 

In the 2015 incident, the workers were making hash oil by soaking marijuana in butane. A butane leak met with an ignition source, which triggered the blast.

The company did not respond to our request for comment.

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