Two marijuana firms are embroiled in a legal fight over the ownership of a Pleasantville cultivation facility.
MPX NJ, a group owned primarily by Elizabeth Stavola, last week sued iAnthus Capital Management and its New Jersey subsidiary, claiming the company illegally highjacked the operation of the Pleasantville Alternative Treatment Center, for which the two firms hold a shared lease.
The suit claims iAnthus attempted to negotiate with local and state regulators on MPX NJ’s behalf, relying on a master services agreement that has not been approved by the New Jersey Department of Health.
“These actions cannot stand, as they threaten MPX NJ’s ATC permit, expose it to liability from third parties, and tarnish its reputation, as well as that of its owners, across the cannabis industry,” the suit said.
It charges iAnthus attempted to negotiate a cannabis production fee with Alfred Scerni, who is Pleasantville’s municipal counsel and sought to negotiate agreements — including authorizing construction — with other firms in the cannabis industry on MPX NJ’s behalf despite having to ground to do so.
In its response brief, iAnthus charged Stavola and MPX NJ authorized it to work on its behalf, further claiming the former iAnthus executive’s severance agreement required she assist the company with the transfer of MPX NJ’s cannabis license.