15 Miss. Code. R. 22-4.6

Current through October 18, 2024
Section 15-22-4.6 - Health and Safety Standards
4.6.1 General.
A. Each licensee shall ensure that all cannabis and cannabis products it dispenses are safe for use or consumption by registered patient cardholders.
B. Each licensee shall comply with State and county health, safety, and sanitation laws and regulations and will be subject to unannounced inspections to confirm that no health or safety concerns are present which may contaminate the cannabis or cannabis products.
4.6.2 General Sanitation Requirements. All medical cannabis establishment licensees shall maintain sanitary conditions at their respective facilities and locations that include the following:
A. Any employee who, by medical examination or supervisory observation, is shown to have, or appears to have, an illness, open lesion, including boils, sores, or infected wounds, or any other abnormal source of microbial contamination for whom there is a reasonable possibility of contact with cannabis and/or cannabis products shall be excluded from any operations which may be expected to result in such contamination until the condition is resolved.
B. Hand-washing areas that are adequate and convenient to employees. Hand washing or sanitizing areas shall include running water at a suitable temperature and a sanitary towel service or suitable drying device.
C. Any person working in direct contact with cannabis and/or cannabis products shall:
1. Maintain adequate personal cleanliness;
2. Wash hands and exposed portions of his or her arms thoroughly in an adequate hand-washing area before starting work and at any other time when the hands may have become soiled or contaminated, including but not limited to:
a. Any time after handling possibly soiled equipment or utensils;
b. After leaving the initial room in which he or she was working, and before resuming work in any room, including the initial room;
D. Litter and waste shall be properly removed so they do not contribute to potential sources of contamination in areas where cannabis plants or products are located;
E. Floors, walls, and ceilings shall be adequately cleaned and kept in good repair; and,
F. There shall be adequate screen or other protection against the entry of pests.
4.6.3 Sanitary Operations.
A. General maintenance. Buildings, fixtures, and other physical facilities shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition and shall be kept in repair adequate to prevent cannabis or cannabis products from becoming contaminated. Cleaning and sanitizing of utensils and equipment shall be conducted in a manner that protects against allergen cross-contact and against contamination of cannabis, cannabis products, components, contact surfaces, or packaging materials.
B. Substances used in cleaning and sanitizing; storage of toxic materials. Cleaning compounds and sanitizing agents used in cleaning and sanitizing procedures shall be free from undesirable microorganisms and shall be safe and adequate under the conditions of use. Compliance with this requirement may be verified by any effective means, including purchase of these substances under a letter of guarantee or certification or examination of these substances for contamination. Only the following toxic materials may be used or stored in a medical cannabis production center:
1. Those required to maintain clean and sanitary conditions;
2. Those necessary for use in laboratory testing procedures;
3. Those necessary for facility and equipment maintenance and operation; and,
4. Those necessary for use in the facility's operations.
C. Toxic cleaning compounds, sanitizing agents, and pesticide chemicals shall be identified and stored in a manner that protects against contamination of cannabis, cannabis products, components, contact surfaces, or packaging materials.
D. Pest control. Pests shall not be allowed in any area of a production center. Guard, guide, or pest-detecting dogs may be allowed in some areas of a production center if the presence of the dogs is unlikely to result in contamination of cannabis, cannabis products, components, contact surfaces, or packaging materials. Effective measures shall be taken to exclude pests from the production and storage areas and to protect against the contamination of cannabis, cannabis products, or components on the premises by pests. The use of pesticides to control pests in the production center is permitted only under precautions and restrictions that will protect against the contamination of cannabis, cannabis products, components, contact surfaces, and packaging materials.
E. Sanitation of contact surfaces. All contact surfaces, including utensils and contact surfaces of equipment, shall be cleaned as frequently as necessary to protect against allergen cross-contact and against contamination of cannabis, cannabis products, or components.
1. Contact surfaces used for producing and storing cannabis or low-moisture cannabis products or components shall be in a clean, dry, sanitary condition before use. When the surfaces are wet cleaned, they shall, when necessary, be sanitized and thoroughly dried before subsequent use.
2. In wet processing, when cleaning is necessary to protect against allergen cross contact or the introduction of microorganisms into cannabis, cannabis products, or components, all contact surfaces shall be cleaned and sanitized before use and after any interruption during which the contact surfaces may have become contaminated. Where equipment and utensils are used in a continuous production operation, the utensils and contact surfaces of the equipment shall be cleaned and sanitized as necessary.
3. Single-service articles (such as utensils intended for one-time use, paper cups, and paper towels) shall be stored, handled, and disposed of in a manner that protects against allergen cross-contact and against contamination of cannabis, cannabis products, components, contact surfaces, or packaging materials.
F. Sanitation of non-contact surfaces. Noncontact surfaces of equipment used in the operation of a production center shall be cleaned in a manner and as frequently as necessary to protect against allergen cross-contact and against contamination of cannabis, cannabis products, components, contact surfaces, and packaging materials.
G. Storage and handling of cleaned portable equipment and utensils. Cleaned and sanitized portable equipment with contact surfaces and utensils shall be stored in a location and manner that protects contact surfaces from allergen cross-contact and from contamination.
4.6.4 Sanitary Facilities and Controls. Each medical cannabis establishment shall be equipped with adequate sanitary facilities and accommodations including:
A. Water supply. The water supply shall be adequate for the operations intended and shall be derived from an adequate source. Any water that contacts cannabis, cannabis products, components, contact surfaces, or packaging materials shall be safe and of adequate sanitary quality. Running water at a suitable temperature, and under pressure as needed, shall be provided in all areas where required for the production of cannabis and cannabis products, for the cleaning of equipment, utensils, and packaging materials, or for employee sanitary facilities;
B. Plumbing. Plumbing shall be of adequate size and design and adequately installed and maintained to:
1. Carry adequate quantities of water to required locations throughout the facility;
2. Properly convey sewage and liquid disposable waste from the facility;
3. Avoid constituting a source of contamination to cannabis, cannabis products, components, water supplies, equipment, or utensils or creating an unsanitary condition;
4. Provide adequate floor drainage in all areas where floors are subject to flooding-type cleaning or where normal operations release or discharge water or other liquid waste on the floor; and
5. Provide that there is not backflow from, or cross-connection between, piping systems that discharge wastewater or sewage and piping systems that carry water for cannabis or cannabis product production;
C. Sewage disposal. Sewage shall be disposed of into an adequate sewerage system or disposed of through other adequate means;
D. Toilet facilities. Licensees shall provide employees with adequate, readily accessible toilet facilities. Toilet facilities shall be kept clean and shall not be a potential source of contamination of cannabis, cannabis products, components, contact surfaces, or packaging materials;
E. Hand-washing facilities. Licensees shall provide hand-washing facilities designed to ensure that an employee's hands are not a source of contamination of cannabis, cannabis products, components, contact surfaces, or packaging materials, by providing facilities that are adequate, convenient, and furnish running water at a suitable temperature; and rubbish disposal. Rubbish shall be so conveyed, stored, and disposed of as to minimize the development of odor, minimize the potential for the waste becoming an attractant and harborage or breeding place for pests, and protect against contamination of cannabis, cannabis products, components, contact surfaces, packaging materials, water supplies, and ground surfaces.
4.6.5 Each production area designated and/or used for commercial cannabis activities shall be maintained free of debris.
4.6.6 Potable water sources shall be utilized in processing/ manufacturing of cannabis and/or cannabis products.

15 Miss. Code. R. 22-4.6

Adopted 1/13/2024