Grow Op Employee Busted With Pocket Full of Pot

An employee at a marijuana cultivation facility allegedly tried to walk off the job with a pocket full of cannabis—only to be spotted by coworkers, supervisors, and security cameras before he made it out. According to the report, Lawrence County deputies were called to the Trulieve marijuana cultivation facility after management reported an employee had allegedly stolen marijuana during the harvesting process. The plant manager told deputies security personnel alerted him after multiple employees independently reported seeing the worker conceal marijuana instead of placing it into the designated harvest bins. According to written statements, one employee noticed the worker placing marijuana into his pocket before suddenly announcing he had a family emergency and needed to leave work. Another employee reported seeing the worker carry marijuana in his glove before later observing it inside his pocket. A third employee also told investigators he could see marijuana bulging from both of the worker's cargo pockets before management was notified. Security then reviewed surveillance footage. According to the report, security investigators observed the employee collecting marijuana from harvest containers on multiple occasions before allegedly placing it into his cargo pocket. Investigators said the employee later attempted to enter a restroom before continuing to work for approximately 30 more minutes. A short time later, the employee informed supervisors he had a family emergency, clocked out, and left the facility. The report states security personnel documented the incident, collected witness statements, and provided surveillance findings to deputies. Management also completed a criminal affidavit and deactivated the employee's access badge. The investigation has been forwarded for criminal prosecution. Cannabis Theft Is Still Theft Although marijuana is legal for regulated medical and recreational use in Ohio, products inside licensed cultivation facilities remain tightly controlled from seed to sale. Employees at licensed cannabis businesses typically work under extensive surveillance systems, inventory tracking requirements, and strict security protocols designed to detect missing product. Theft from a licensed cultivation facility can result in criminal charges, termination of employment, and the permanent loss of eligibility to work in Ohio's regulated cannabis industry.

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