California marijuana lab official fired for policy violations, state says

California’s marijuana regulatory agency is denying claims that a former top official was fired for highlighting widespread problems at state-licensed testing labs under her supervision, according to court documents obtained by MJBizDaily.

The filing by the state’s Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) in Los Angeles Superior Court countered allegations levied by Tanisha Bogans as to why she was fired as former deputy director of laboratory services at the agency.

Bogans claimed in a September lawsuit that she was fired in January after sharing reports of rampant THC-potency inflation and labs’ deliberate failures to detect pesticides and mold.

The pesticides scandal has plagued the California cannabis market for months, prompting regulators to revoke the business licenses of testing labs and at least one operator.

In its counterclaim, the DCC said Bogan broke the state’s telework policy and made “false representations” related to her employment.

“During a substantial period of Plaintiff’s tenure, she falsely represented that she resided in California, while residing and working remotely from the state of Arizona, in conflict with the requirements of her employment, and without authorization,” the DCC alleged in the court filing.

“Additionally, subordinates reported that Plaintiff failed to visit the lab she oversaw in person, and thus lacked an understanding of the work of the scientists under her supervision and the time required for completion of various tasks within the lab.”

The DCC is requesting a jury trial, according to the court filing.

Chris Casacchia can be reached at ch*************@mj********.com.