Marijuana Grow Facilities - A Chronic Problem

As many of you participated in the recent election and may recall, Massachusetts recently held a vote to legalize some aspects of marijuana.  In conjunction with the medical marijuana industry that has been permitted in Massachusetts in recent years, there has been an influx of marijuana grow facilities throughout the Commonwealth.  The AHJ community is thrust into a steep learning curve to understand the agricultural process of marijuana growth and the (sometimes hazardous) ways to extract cannabinoids from the plants.  This presentation strives to outline some of the challenges associated with marijuana grow facilities in Massachusetts. 

Jen is the Chief Fire Protection Engineer for the Department of Fire Services (DFS).  Before becoming Chief, she was a Fire Protection Engineer for the areas north of the Massachusetts Turnpike.  She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Fire Protection Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.  Jen is a registered fire protection engineer in Massachusetts and is a member of various fire engineering professional organizations.  She currently serves as the secretary of the New England Chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers.  She is a member of the Bolton Fire Department.  In her free time Jen enjoys training for triathlons, running with her dog, and spending time with family.  Prior to working at DFS, Jen worked for a Boston-area code consulting firm and also with a Metro-West-based fire protection system design firm.  Jen represents the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal on the Board of Building Regulations and Standards and other regulatory boards, and also assists on plan reviews for projects throughout the Commonwealth.