HUNTINGTON – A Cabell County man says he was a victim of retaliation and wrongful termination after he alerted state officials to alleged illegal activity at a medical cannabis growing facility.
Todd Hardiman filed his complaint September 22 in Cabell Circuit Court against Trulieve WV, a grower of medical cannabis.
According to the complaint, Hardiman began working for the defendant on August 2, 2021, at its Lesage growing facility in Cabell County. By the time he was fired, he was Building Lead Cultivator.
Hardiman says he discovered unlawful and illegal practices and activity within the facility involving the use of non-domestic seeds, which is a violation of state code. After he made this discovery, Hardiman says he reported them to the West Virginia Office of Medical Cannabis, which began an investigation.
Part of the investigation included Hardiman answering questions in front of his supervisors. Two weeks after the July 12-13 on-site investigation, Hardiman was suspended. On July 31, Hardiman was told of allegations he threatened a coworker and that video existed of the alleged incident. Hardiman denies the allegation.
On August 8, Hardiman was fired.
He accuses Trulieve of retaliatory discharge. He seeks compensatory damages for lost wages and benefits, emotional pain and suffering and mental anguish as well as punitive damages, interests and other relief.
Hardiman is being represented by Amy Crossan of Bouchillon Crossan and Colburn in huntington and by Jason Goad of McClure Goal in Huntington. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Gregory Howard.
Cabell Circuit Court case number 23-C-348