Tribunal | Biotech firm director sacked after colleague smells cannabis in company car

A director at a Bristol-based biotech company has been sacked after a colleague could smell cannabis in a company car being driven by the business leader.

Martyn Jutsum, the Co-Founder of biotech firm O3Biotech, was suspended from his role as a director when he admitted to using cannabis recreationally while at work.  He attempted to sue the company on grounds of unfair dismissal, however his claims were rejected.

Jutsum founded O3Biotech - a company that provides purification for air, feed and water supplies in the agriculture industry - with Co-Founder Paul Draper in 2016, becoming science director the next year. 

The case

O3Biotech housed several employees close to the business’ office in Dorset. Jutsum and his son Matthew lived there, along with the company’s technical director Erik Helmink.