The former CEO of a cannabis cultivation company who now works for Connecticut is is involved in the regulation of marijuana is suing her past employer.
Jennifer Mandzuk, the former CEO of Theraplant, the first legal cannabis cultivator in Connecticut, was hired earlier this year by the state Department of Consumer Protection as the state program manager for cannabis. She earns an annual salary of $96,287.
Three weeks after being hired by the state, she filed a lawsuit against Theraplant alleging she was owed $375,000 in severance. The lawsuit was filed in conjunction with Dan Emmans, who preceded Mandzuk as Theraplant CEO, claiming he was owed $350,000 in severance.
Mandzuk’s employment at Theraplant ended Dec. 17, 2022, according to the lawsuit. She was hired at DCP on June 23, spokesperson Kaitlyn Krasselt confirmed. The lawsuit was filed July 17.
“Prospective employees for any state position are not asked to disclose any potential litigation on their application,” Krasselt said. “That said, yes, we were made aware of the situation when the suit was filed, as she notified her boss at that time.”
Theraplant was the first legal cannabis cultivator in Connecticut and one of only four operational in the state until recently. Krasselt previously described Mandzuk’s role as “a supervisory position that will oversee general management of staff within the Drug Control Division related to cannabis investigations and enforcement,” but Krasselt said Mandzuk is not involved in regulating Theraplant.
“Based on her former employment with Theraplant, Jennifer Mandzuk does not work on or oversee cases involving Theraplant,” Krasselt said. “The Department has ensured that any issues related to Theraplant are handled by an alternate supervisor to avoid the appearance of impropriety.”
Theraplant was sold this year for the second time in three years. The company was bought by Greenrose Holding in 2021, and then again this year by East Hampton N.Y.-based DXR Holdco, according to a report filed on July 21 with the SEC.
The court granted on Aug. 9 a motion for default filed by Emmans and Mandzuk. Theraplant was listed as non-appearing.
Law firm Pullman & Comely, representing Theraplant in a different matter, declined to comment for this story.
H/T: https://www.ctinsider.com/
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