The Upcountry site where cannabis is cultivated and manufactured for Maui Grown Therapies, Hawaii’s first licensed dispensary, is part James Bond and part Albert Einstein.
It is a far cry from growing cannabis in the cane fields or in secret greenhouses under grow lights.
Christopher Cole, director of product development, this week took the media for the first time through Maui Grown Therapies’ cloning, vegetation, extraction and manufacturing rooms — each pristine, organized and cataloged to meet biosecurity and legal standards. Up until about six months ago, media were not allowed in such Hawaii facilities, said Teri Freitas Gorman, Maui Grown Therapies director of community relations and patient affairs.
An extensive criminal background check, fingerprinting and state approval are all required for the few, if any, visitors approved to enter the heavily secured and surveilled site on 7 acres of Kula farmland. State Department of Health investigators may arrive unannounced to check on Maui Grown Therapies at any time; Hawaii has some of the most rigid rules for medicinal cannabis operations in the country, dispensary officials say.
Lab coats, hairnets and visitor identification are mandated on arrival. A company official directs the tour at all times.
Read more at mauinews.com