Complaint, lawsuits contribute to troubles of Canntrust

TORONTO The enforcement team of the Ontario Securities Commission is reviewing a complaint filed against Canntrust Holdings Inc., the Financial Post has learned.

The complaint, filed last week in response to Health Canada’s finding that the company was growing cannabis in five unlicensed rooms, questions whether Canntrust placed investors at risk of harm by not disclosing that it was breaching regulations.

Speaking to the Post, the complainant, who asked to remain anonymous, said they decided to contact the OSC after reading a media report about a former Canntrust employee who told Health Canada that he was asked to put up fake walls at a greenhouse in Pelham, Ont., that covered thousands of cannabis plants to stage photos for the regulator.

“The question arose as to whether or not what was reported … was a criminal offence such as fraud,” said the complainant, who also expressed concern the OSC might not proactively look into the matter.

The OSC’S lead inquiries officer responded to the complainant in an email that said the information they provided had been forwarded to the enforcement branch of the OSC for further review.

When asked if a complaint was filed or an investigation against Canntrust was underway, the OSC said it could not “confirm or comment on the existence, status or nature of any complaint, review or investigation.”

Canntrust is still reeling from Health Canada’s findings early last week, which resulted in a hold being placed on 5,200 kilograms of product. By the end of the week, the company’s stock price had dropped by nearly 50 per cent.

On Thursday and Friday, at least 14 law firms launched class-action lawsuits against Canntrust, alleging the company breached securities laws by releasing misleading statements while it was operating in unlicensed rooms.

Canntrust did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Because Canntrust’s stock is dual listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange, the company is being targeted by law firms in both the U.S. and Canada. Thirteen of the 14 lawsuits that the Post is aware of were made by U.s.-based law firms. The sole class-action lawsuit in Canada was launched by Windsor, Ont.-based Strosberg Sasso Sutts LLP, seeking $250 million.