Cannabis Worker’s 2020 Asthma Death Stays Hidden

A young father in his 20s collapsed at a California cannabis plant and died from asthma caused by his job. No one outside a small circle knew for years. A new study in 2025 finally shared the story and warned of growing risks for thousands of workers.

The man worked as an inventory specialist at a cannabis processing warehouse. He stirred big bins of dried flower to let air in before packing. He also tossed out bad batches full of mold or bugs.

No history of breathing trouble marked his past. After a few months on the job, shortness of breath hit him hard. Wheezing followed. He grabbed his mom’s inhaler to cope. Things got better during six weeks off for his new baby. Back at work, symptoms roared back.

Two months later, he fell at work and never got up. The asthma attack proved fatal. That was in 2020. California rules demand quick reports to Cal/OSHA for job deaths. Yet public records show nothing. The state health department, CDPH, looked into it four years later. They saw changes at the site, like no more grinding nearby, and closed the case.

One short sentence sums it up. Families lost a dad quietly.

Four-State Study Uncovers Alarming Pattern

Public health teams from California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Washington dug into data from legalization up to 2023. They found 30 cases of work-related asthma in cannabis jobs.

Ten cases came from California alone. Most workers were young, two-thirds under 35 and six in ten men. Nearly seven in ten toiled in indoor growing or processing spots.

Half the cases sparked new asthma never seen before. The rest worsened old cases. Two ended in death. The California event marked the first known U.S. case of fresh job-triggered asthma killing a cannabis worker.

Here is a quick look at the cases by type:

Type of Asthma	Number of Cases	Share
New Onset	13	52%
Work Aggravated	12	48%
Fatal	2	–

Numbers seem low at under 0.02% of workers. But experts call it the tip of a big problem. Many skip doctors over weed worries.

Ground Cannabis Dust Fuels the Danger

Plant dust topped the list of triggers at 40% of cases. Almost all linked straight to cannabis bits in the air. Grinding dry flower for joints kicked up clouds.

Other risks piled on. Mold grew in wet spots. Ozone from cleaners stung lungs. Pesticides and germs added fuel.

Jobs like trimming buds, packing, and bucking plants exposed folks most. One spot in Massachusetts saw a second tragedy in 2022. A 27-year-old woman ground flower for pre-rolls. She wheezed and coughed after months. She dropped while working and died days later from the attack.

Co-workers there felt it too. Four out of ten reported coughs or rashes. Dust levels stayed under limits for big particles. But tiny bits and allergens slipped through.

Common triggers include:

• Cannabis dust from grinding and packing
• Mold in grow rooms
• Cleaning chemicals like bleach mixes
• Bug killers on plants

Facilities often sweep dry floors. That stirs more dust. Bad idea.

Push for Real Safety Fixes Grows Loud

States like Massachusetts shared their sad story fast. It led to better training and vent rules. California stayed mum longer. CDPH now lists cannabis dust as a lung risk.

Bosses must act first by cutting dust at the source. Fans and filters help. Wet wipe floors. HEPA vacuums beat brooms.

Train teams to spot coughs early. Send sick workers for checkups. Swap harsh cleaners for safe ones. Masks come last, as they fail if dust flies free.

A recent payout shows change. One firm shelled out $3 million after a worker’s bad attack. OSHA now flags ground cannabis as a hazard.

Medical checks could save lives by catching issues fast. Young workers chase green jobs. They need safe air too.

Lives hang in dusty balance as the industry booms. Two deaths scream for action. Families grieve while firms grow rich. Better vents and checks offer hope. Will leaders listen before more fall?