California Cannabis Brands Fined for Violating Environmental Laws

Two California cannabis companies are facing steep fines for breaking state environmental laws, KSBY reports. 805 Agricultural Holdings, LLC is facing $40,000 in fines related to Fish and Game Code violations, including allegations that the firm polluted a stream with diesel fuel, hoop houses, pesticides, herbicides, rodenticides, fertilizers, unconsolidated soil, and plastic irrigation pipes.

The company is also accused of removing vegetation from the stream and grading a road through the stream. The company is among the businesses operated by Helios Dayspring who was charged in federal court in July with bribery and income tax fraud.

The settlement between 805 Agricultural Holdings and the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office requires the company to pay $23,000 to the county; $3,00 to the Santa Barbara County Treasurer to deposit in the County Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund; $3,000 to the Department of Fish and Wildlife to deposit in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund; $1,800 to the Department of Fish and Wildlife; $2,400 to the Timber Regulation and Forest Restoration Fund; $1,800 to the county to reimburse district attorney costs for investigation and prosecution; and $5,000 as cost reimbursement to California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Medical Investor Holdings LLC, which does business as Vertical Companies, also agreed to a $50,000 settlement with the county DA’s Office for Fish and Game Code violations, including grading a road through a river and preparing a five-acre area within the river for cannabis cultivation, which included hoop houses, underground piping, a generator, and containers of fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides.

Vertical will have to pay $30,000 to the county; $5,000 to the county treasurer, for deposit in the County Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund; $5,000 to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, for deposit in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund; $3,000 to the Department of Fish and Wildlife; $4,000 to the Timber Regulation and Forest Restoration Fund; $3,000 to the county for reimbursement of district attorney costs of investigation and prosecution; and $5,000 as cost reimbursement to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The landowner where the cultivation site was being set up also faces $5,250 in fines.