The U.S. Supreme Court this week sided with a former truck driver who is seeking triple damages against Vista, California-based Medical Marijuana Inc. over a hemp CBD product the plaintiff said caused him to fail a routine drug test, which resulted in his firing, ABC News reports.
The court ruled 5-4 to confirm the plaintiff’s right to sue the company for triple damages under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, an anti-mob law established to target organized crime.
Douglas Horn, the now ex-truck driver, said he purchased the product to help treat chronic back and shoulder pain, and because it was advertised as being free from THC. But after Horn failed the drug test and was let go, lab tests found that the products did in fact contain THC.
An appeals court previously sided with Horn.
Medical Marijuana Inc. argued in defense that Horn couldn’t seek the additional damages because he’s claiming personal injury, which is not covered under RICO, but Horn argued that because the product had led to him losing his job as a truck driver, it was in fact a business-related inquiry.
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