A Cuyahoga County, Ohio grand jury last week indicted Garett Fortune, 54, on 20 counts of securities fraud in an alleged scam involving a cannabis candy company. The grand jury indicted Fortune on six counts of false representation, six counts of securities fraud, four counts of theft by a person in a protected class, three counts of grand larceny and one count of money laundering. In total, he faces five second-degree felonies, nine third-degree felonies and six fourth-degree felonies.

The indictment alleges that Fortune solicited $200,000 from six individuals for the purpose of operating a cannabis candy company, but misrepresented material facts about the investment and failed to disclose relevant information to investors.

In a statement, Ohio Securities Commissioner Andrea Seidt said, “It is a crime to lie, cheat and steal from Ohio investors.”

“Scammers should know that in Ohio the fines increase even for smaller dollar losses when the misconduct involves older victims, as is the case here.” – Seidt in one press release

Fortune is the founder of OdorNo and FunkSac, which specialize in anti-odor and child-resistant cannabis products, according to a Hoodline report.

In 2015, FunkSac received financial support from Casa Verde Capital and, in a press releasethe company was supported by Snoop Dogg.

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More than 300 Ascend Wellness employees at the company’s cultivation site in Barry, Illinois, went on strike last week, alleging unfair labor practices. WGEM reports.

“We have filed charges against the company for violations of the National Labor Relations Act. They have failed to bargain in good faith with the union by refusing to bargain on key and mandatory bargaining points, they have fired one of our bargaining committee members during negotiations, we also have a ULP for this and we are determined to bring forward more ULP workers. — Kyle Bollinger, Vice President of Teamsters Local 916, in the report

Workers walked off the job last Thursday, saying the company refused to negotiate a fair contract for more than a year. According to the report, many of them went outside the building after leaving.

Due to the size of the facility and the number of workers involved, the strike could cause major disruptions to the state’s adult cannabis supply chain.

Matthew McKenna, Vice President of Public Affairs at Ascend Wellness Holdings, told WGEM in a statement:

“We can confirm that there is a work stoppage at our cultivation facility in Barry, Illinois, which remains open and continues to operate. Ascend Wellness Holdings values and respects the employees at our Barry facility and has bargained in good faith throughout this process. Our last, best and final offer includes a strong economic package and remains on the table while the union was not disappointed with the proposal to proceed with the vote. to ask the union to allow a ratification vote. We remain committed to reaching a fair settlement.

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