The state Department of Public Health is calling on the cannabis industry to improve health and safety conditions.
This comes after an employee died of an asthma attack while working in a Holyoke facility last year.
Lorna McMurrey of West Springfield developed an allergy and asthma while handling cannabis, and had no prior health issues of this kind.
This is the only known death related to the cannabis industry in the U.S., but there are cases of respiratory illness.
Recommendations from the agency include proper training about hazardous materials, health and safety, and medical surveillance programs.
Massachusetts has about 22-thousand workers in the industry.
(Photo by DANIEL MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo: DANIEL MUNOZ / AFP / Getty Images