# California marijuana farm shut down after worker's death

> State regulators closed a massive Lake County cannabis operation and recalled products after a 46-year-old worker died from suspected pesticide exposure.
- Title: California marijuana farm shut down after worker's death
- Summary: State regulators closed a massive Lake County cannabis operation and recalled products after a 46-year-old worker died from suspected pesticide exposure. A…
- Keywords: california, marijuana, cannabis, lake county, joel michaely farms, worker death, pesticide exposure, product recall, department of cannabis control, farm shutdown, occupational safety, contamination
- Source: California Post — https://nypost.com/2026/09/16/us-news/california-marijuana-pulled-from-shelves-after-workers-mysterious-death-at-farm
- Published: 2026-09-16T13:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: california, marijuana, cannabis, lake county, joel michaely farms, worker death, pesticide exposure, product recall, department of cannabis control, farm shutdown, occupational safety, contamination
## Worker dies at California cannabis farm
Yufang Lan, 46, died in intensive care on August 27 after being brought to a hospital with cardiac arrest. State officials believe she died from occupational pesticide exposure at Joel Michaely Farms in Lake County.
## State shuts down massive farm operation
The California Department of Cannabis Control shut down Joel Michaely Farms on September 8 after finding untagged plants, unaccounted inventory, tracking system failures, and pesticide law violations. The farm was approved for nearly 1 million square feet of cannabis canopy.
## Search reveals banned chemicals and waste
Investigators found 55,069 cannabis plants, 6,000 pounds of processed cannabis, banned pesticides including Real-Kill Indoor Fogger, and approximately 20,000 gallons of contaminated liquid requiring specialized disposal. All cannabis was destroyed.
## Four cannabis products recalled from shelves
At least four products were pulled from California retailers due to contamination concerns. Two recalls are confirmed connected to Joel Michaely Farms: Iced infused flower and Martini's Pre-Roll. Two others, Tree House Flower and Cali Lean Tincture, may also be linked.
## Workers lived in cramped, unsanitary conditions
About 10 to 15 workers lived on the farm property in moldy, cramped conditions. All spoke Mandarin and had not been paid because the farm had not turned a profit, according to the cultivation manager.
## Key takeaway

A worker's death from pesticide exposure at an unlicensed California marijuana farm triggered product recalls and a state shutdown, revealing widespread safety violations and poor working conditions.