Criminal charges dropped against Massachusetts marijuana grower

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Criminal charges were dismissed against a Massachusetts marijuana license holder who allegedly conspired with another man to set up an illicit cannabis cultivation operation.

A District Court judge dismissed a marijuana trafficking conspiracy charge against Mark Rioux, according to The Milford Daily News.

After learning of the original charges, the state’s Cannabis Control Commission in September suspended Rioux’s medical and recreational cannabis licenses and quarantined the company’s products.

Rioux held a controlling interest in six provisional and final cultivation, processing and retail licenses under the name Nova Farms, according to the state.

Massachusetts regulators couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Monday, but the Daily News indicated that Rioux remains under state investigation.

According to authorities, Rioux, who also is a commercial real estate agent, and another man communicated by text about finding a warehouse site for an illicit growing operation.

Rioux denied the allegations.

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