EXCLUSIVE: Curaleaf’s Boris Jordan responds to Russia-related allegations

By Javier Hasse

Shares in American cannabis giant Curaleaf Holdings Inc (NYSE:CU) traded lower on Friday after several Twitter users addressed CEO Boris Jordan’s Russian and Ukrainian ancestry.

Jordan, a US-born American citizen, has been accused of having financial ties to Russian companies and oligarchs. A Twitter user also pointed out that Andrei Blokh, owner of a large part of Curaleaf’s shares, resides in Moscow.

Curaleaf is an American success story created by Me! Please stop spreading misinformation, I was born, live and work in the USA! Our shareholder Andrei Blokh is also a US citizen. $curl

— Boris Jordan (@Boris_Jordan) February 24, 2022

To which Jordan replied: “Curaleaf is an American success story founded by me! Please stop spreading misinformation. I was born in the USA and I live and work in the USA! Our shareholder Andrei Blokh is also a US citizen. $curlf”

Jordan then added, “Having dual Ukrainian and Russian descent, I pray for diplomacy and a peaceful resolution that protects the lives of all citizens on both sides of this conflict.”

Many have asked my position on the developing situation. As I am of both Ukrainian and Russian descent, I am praying for diplomacy and a peaceful resolution that will protect the lives of all citizens on both sides of this conflict.

— Boris Jordan (@Boris_Jordan) February 25, 2022

Arguing that the comments made on Twitter were speculative and xenophobic, Jordan only commented on the rumors to Benzinga.

“Rumours and misinformation spread in turbulent times. We are committed to promoting trust and transparency throughout the cannabis industry,” Jordan wrote. “For the benefit of our investors and market transparency, Curaleaf wants to provide some clarity by countering speculation about how the Russia-Ukraine crisis could affect the company.”

He continued, “US citizens, whether holding other passports or not, are not and cannot be subject to US economic sanctions. Also, as an American company, Curaleaf is not and cannot be subject to US economic sanctions.”

Photo by OpenRangeStock/Getty Images

A spokesman gave further explanations.

Our Executive Chairman and largest shareholder, Boris Jordan, is an American citizen, born and raised on Long Island, New York. He is not a citizen of another country and never has been.

Mr. Jordan has worked in Europe and Russia for several years and currently has several companies in the US (including Curaleaf), Europe and Russia.

Our second largest shareholder is Andrei Blokh, a successful retired CPG entrepreneur who is not with the company. Mr. Blokh is a US citizen who also holds a Russian passport.

The vast majority of our shares are owned by private and institutional investors.

Speculation on social media that the company and its major shareholders and executives will be subject to any US government economic sanctions now or in the future is incorrect.

The full statement is now available on Curaleaf’s IR site.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.