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Marijuana Industry Consultant Wins $3 Million Award From Jury Over Injury From Lab Accident

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2 weeks ago

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“We believe the jury was very persevering and realized that my client had life-threatening and life-changing injuries and would never be the same.”

By Rebecca Rivas, Missouri Independent

St. Louis, Missouri jury awarded $3 million to a California cannabis consultant on Thursday after a four-day trial in which he argued that a 2022 lab accident ended his career in the marijuana industry.

The incident occurred at Mark Avent Escondido, California at 5401 Bulwer Ave. in St. Louis when he was helping build a cultivation and manufacturing facility owned by Blue Arrow Missouri LLC.

Blue Arrow hired Avent in 2022 under a one-year, $100,000 contract to acquire the necessary equipment to grow and manufacture marijuana products and train workers on the machines.

During this time, a lab technician accidentally mishandled a commercial vacuum used to clean lab equipment. The vacuum threw fine marijuana dust particles into the air, causing Avent to have a severe asthma attack and heart attack.

The jury unanimously found that Blue Arrow was at fault for 85 percent of Avent’s injuries, while Avent was at fault for 15 percent.

“We are very pleased with the verdict,” said William Meehan, Avent’s attorney. “We believe the jury was very persevering and realized that my client had life-threatening and life-changing injuries and would never be the same.”

Blue Arrow’s attorneys argued that Avent was partially liable because it did not wear a mask, even though it knew it had problems with asthma.

“Mr. Avent was a very intelligent and skilled person who knew how to set up new labs,” David Simmons, Blue Arrow’s attorney, said in his closing argument Thursday. “And he also knew how to protect himself.”

During the trial, a cannabis expert said that the only mask that could have protected Avent from the fine dust particles that had been thrown into the air that day was an industrial face respirator, not a surgical mask.

Lisa Avent, Mark’s wife, said the jury may have missed the significance of differences in the types of masks needed to prevent a medical emergency.

The jury awarded Mark Avent $2.5 million in punitive damages and Lisa Avent $500,000 in punitive damages.

In closing arguments, Meehan proposed that the jury award the couple $5 million, while Simmons proposed that the amount awarded be $325,000.

“We’re not happy with 15 percent, but I could live with that,” Meehan said. “The amount is big enough, so we’re happy. And now it’s a matter of getting paid by this company.”

A separate lawsuit is underway to determine whether the company needs any of the company’s three insurance plans to cover Avent’s claim.

Blue Arrow’s lawyers declined to comment on the ruling or whether the company will appeal the decision.

In the meantime, Meehan said his clients will engage in a “multi-front collection effort” to get a claim from insurance companies and possibly break up the company’s accounts.

John Wilbers, founder and chairman of Blue Arrow, was absent from the trial as he was attending his mother’s funeral. Wilbers, a St. Louis personal injury attorney, started Blue Arrow with his mother, Kathy, who owned the majority of two cultivation, manufacturing and dispensary licenses the state granted him in 2019, according to records obtained from the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation.

Wilbers told The Independent Tuesday that he plans to look after Avent.

“If someone is injured, we will help them,” he said.

After the lab accident, Avent was taken to the emergency room and passed out in the ambulance. Doctors put a stent in his heart to save it, Meehan said, and he still hasn’t fully recovered four years later.

In addition to his ongoing medical bills, Meehan said Avent has lost at least $130,000 a year in income because he can no longer work in the marijuana industry.

Mark and Lisa Avent said they were tired but relieved after the four-day trial. The case was initially filed almost three years ago.

“We’re glad it’s over,” he said.

This story was first published by the Missouri Independent.

user photo National Institute of Standards and Technology.

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US (FL): Cannabis company countersues competitor for AI-fabricated extortion

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19 hours ago

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December 9, 2025

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Leafwell Inc. filed a federal lawsuit against medical marijuana company My Florida Green, alleging that its competitor used artificial intelligence to make legal claims as part of an extortion scheme designed to harm Leafwell’s business. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court…

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Maine Officials Approve 2026 Ballot Initiative To Largely Repeal Marijuana Legalization Law For Signature Collection

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20 hours ago

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December 9, 2025

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Maine officials have given permission to prohibition activists to begin gathering signatures for a proposal A ballot initiative that would roll back the state’s voter-approved marijuana legalization law. The measure, if passed, would also overhaul the regulatory structure of the medical cannabis program by establishing product testing requirements.

The proposal — called the “Cannabis Legalization Act and Maine Medical Use of Cannabis Act” — is a revamped version of a marijuana initiative introduced in September, sponsored by a Republican state senator and a former top staffer for then-Gov. Paul LePage (R), staunch prohibitionist.

The latest proposal, a petition approved by the Secretary of State on Monday, would remove and amend multiple sections of the current state statute, which voters approved in 2016 to effectively repeal the legalization of recreational marijuana sales.

Adults over the age of 21 would remain legal to possess 2.5 ounces of cannabis under the proposal, but a section of the law allowing home cultivation would be repealed. The sale and home cultivation of medical marijuana would be legal.

Madison Carey, who was listed as a lead petitioner in the original version of the repeal initiative and remains involved in the current campaign, told Marihuana Momenti on Tuesday that “there needs to be regulation of marijuana,” arguing that her own experience recovering from opioid misuse disorder speaks to the inadequacy of the current law.

“My hope is to raise awareness of the reality of the potential dangers of not having regulation,” he said. “I think people are fed up with the constant use — the constant (retail businesses) coming up where people can legally buy marijuana.”

Of course, repealing the voter-approved law that established the adult-licensed sales system would eliminate the current regulatory infrastructure in place, which reform advocates say helps mitigate public health and safety risks associated with the illegal market.

Rep. David Boyer (R), who led the fight to get a cannabis legalization initiative on Maine’s ballot in 2016 when he was a staff member at the Marihuana Policy Project, said voters should refuse to sign petitions for the new initiative.

“Don’t stop Maine’s progress, don’t stop signing this unfair repeal initiative,” he told Marijuana Moment on Tuesday. “Repealing the legalization of cannabis would shut down an industry larger than lobsters, potatoes and blueberries combined, costing our state jobs, revenue and economic growth.”

According to the new measure, the director of the Office of Cannabis Policy will “advance policies that promote the health and welfare of the people of the state and protect their health and safety, emphasizing the health and welfare of minors as a priority consideration in the performance of all duties.”

They should also “ensure that eligible patients maintain access to high-quality, effective, and affordable medical cannabis under this Act.”

Under the proposal, the Department of Administrative and Financial Services would create a testing program for cannabis products that would require dispensaries and dispensaries to send those products to a licensed facility for safety evaluation before dispensing them to qualified patients.

The testing facility “should ensure that cannabis or cannabis products do not exceed acceptable levels of contamination for any contaminants that are harmful to health and require testing and ensure proper labeling.”

“The department shall adopt rules establishing a testing program under this section, rules identifying the types of pollutants harmful to health, which must be tested for cannabis and cannabis products under this chapter, and rules regarding the maximum level of contamination for each pollutant,” the vote said. the initiative the text says

Additionally, regulators should administer a system to track cannabis plants from seed to the point of retail sale or disposal. That system “should be able to track cannabis plants in groups during the cultivation phase and when passing from the cultivation phase to another registrar”.

Entrepreneurs must submit at least 67,682 valid voter signatures by February 2, 2026 to be eligible for next year’s ballot. If approved by voters, the initiative would take effect on January 1, 2028.

—
It’s Marijuana Moment tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracking and become a Patreon supporter to gain access
—

Maine lawmakers passed a bill in June legalize possession of an ounce of psilocybin Adults over 21 years of age.

After a different effort in the state last year legalize psilocybin and allow adults to access the psychedelic in state-licensed facilities. But lawmakers watered down that bill—instead, they changed it to create a committee to study further reforms—and in the end it was not approved.

Meanwhile, Maine legislators in February A top marijuana official voted to investigate possible conflicts of interest.

And last year, the law that allowed people came into force now apply for legal marijuana crime records to be sealed.

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By concentrating our portfolio, we create room for innovation and growth

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2 days ago

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December 8, 2025

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Viscon transfers the range fork product portfolio to Flier






Viscon Plant Technology will transfer its spacer fork product portfolio (including spacer forks and fixed forks) to Flier Systems effective January 1, 2026.

“The furrows are a proven solution for spacing within the sector. By transferring this portfolio to Flier Systems, the technology will remain available to both existing and new customers, with continued quality and support. Flier Systems will take over development, sales and technical service, while Viscon Plant Technology focuses on its core activities,” the team says.

© Viscon

“The transfer of the fields is a deliberate strategic step to strengthen our focus on automation solutions for plant growers and young breeders. In addition to concentrating our portfolio on technologies such as tissue culture automation, phenotypic sorting and somatic embryogenesis automation, we create room for further innovation and growth. We are pleased to have found a reliable and dedicated partner in Flier Systems,” said Nigela, who will continue the same product portfolio. Viscon Plant Technology.

“Acquiring spacer forks fits perfectly into our strategy to automate the entire production process for professional plant growers. Having just introduced the upgraded SPH transplanter/sorter, we have already taken an important step in the automation of potted plants. Acquiring spacer forks is a logical addition as it allows us to offer a complete and integrated package. Viscon,” said Ad Kranendonk, Flier Systems.



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