The Supreme Court sided with a truck driver who was fired after a drug test showed THC from a CBD product he believed to be THC-free. The decision, announced on April 2, allows the trucker to pursue triple damages under a law typically used for organized crime cases.
The details: Douglas Horn, the driver, lost his job in 2012 after taking a product advertised as THC-free. The product was meant to help with shoulder and back pain from an earlier accident.
- Lab tests later confirmed the presence of THC, contradicting the product’s advertising claims.
- Horn filed a lawsuit in 2015 against Medical Marijuana, Inc., challenging that he faced financial ruin because of the firing.
The court's decision: The Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling permits Horn to seek higher damages under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
Though RICO is generally reserved for business-related injury claims, an appeals court had previously agreed with Horn, allowing him to challenge under these grounds, reported ABC News.
Looking forward: This ruling offers a path for Horn to potentially recover significant compensation, provided he proves his claims regarding the product.