Oklahoma Cannabis Extraction Facility Owner Charged With Murder After Fatal Explosion

The owner of an Oklahoma cannabis extraction facility in Sand Springs is facing murder charges after an explosion at his business killed two of his employees, the Associated Press reports. Ryan Bassham, 35, turned himself in last weekend after being charged with two counts of first-degree murder following the Thursday blast at his Solos Extracts facility. 

Adam Jones, a spokesman for the Tulsa County district attorney’s office, told the AP that the two victims, Michael Newman and Stephen Scott, worked for Bassham at the site. Prosecutors believe they were unlawfully manufacturing hazardous chemicals that led to the explosion. According to court documents outlined by the AP, Newman told a paramedic on the way to the hospital that the area he was working in was not well ventilated and that the explosion occurred after he had unplugged something. Newman later died at the hospital. 

According to court records, a fire marshal who inspected the facility in January found an outdated fire suppression system and equipment commonly used for manufacturing cannabis products. The marshal returned to the facility after the explosion and found large amounts of liquid propane and other hazardous materials that were not there during the January inspection, the report says. The fire marshal indicated that the business was seeking an updated cannabis license and narcotics registration from the state. 

Bassham is believed to have purchased the business last year, according to court records. He was released from a Tulsa jail after posting a $2 million bond. 

The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority said in a statement to the Tulsa District Attorney that during its latest inspection, “the agency determined that [Solos Extract Company LLC was nonoperational and found no evidence of illicit activity.”

“Had OMMA inspectors suspected illicit activity or identified threats to public health and safety, the agency would have immediately shut down the operation and filed an administrative case against the licensee.”