Illinois-based multistate operator Verano Holdings is accused in a lawsuit of illegally shuttling marijuana from its home state to Arkansas.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the allegations of illegal interstate marijuana shipments stem from cannabis MSO Harvest Health & Recreation’s attempted acquisition of Verano, a deal that fell through in March 2020.
The lawsuit, filed Monday in Colorado District Court, targets dozens of cannabis executives and companies, including Verano CEO George Archos.
The plaintiff in the suit, Nicholas Nielsen, is a former employee of Natural State Wellness Enterprises in Arkansas who was arrested in January 2020 for illegally growing marijuana at his home.
When Nielsen was arrested, Natural State was being managed by Harvest, and separate lawsuits filed against Harvest alleged that Nielsen was growing the marijuana on Harvest’s behalf. Nielsen reiterated the claim in the new lawsuit.