A lawsuit filed this week in Cook County court claims a Cresco chemist resigned in May and quickly joined GTI, in violation of a one-year non-compete agreement.
Cresco Labs and Green Thumb Industries have been fierce rivals since Illinois issued its first licenses to grow and sell medical marijuana in 2014.
Now, as the two River North-based firms battle for market share in states across the country, Cresco has filed a lawsuit accusing GTI of poaching a high-level employee who allegedly violated a non-compete clause in his contract when he switched sides this year.
The suit, filed Wednesday in Cook County court, claims the employee was recruited by another former Cresco employee who has allegedly been trying to lure others to GTI.
A GTI spokeswoman denied the allegations, saying the litigation is “aimed at preventing a former non-executive Cresco employee from finding a suitable career in the cannabis industry.”
“Instead of investing to retain current employees or support former employees through their transition following a recent sizable layoff, Cresco is spending money on lawyers to monitor and sue its former employees for finding new jobs,” the spokeswoman said in a statement. “This move is not only distasteful to their former employees looking to continue their careers in the cannabis industry, but also a total waste of Cresco’s capital and resources.” [Read More @ The Chicago Sun Times]
