Jake Thornton
About Jake Thornton
Jake Thornton serves as the Associate General Counsel and Head of Regulatory Compliance and Regulatory Affairs at TerrAscend, where he has worked since 2022. He has extensive experience in regulatory compliance and licensing, having previously held roles at Cresco Labs and TerrAscend, and has played a significant role in major transactions in the cannabis industry.
Work at TerrAscend
Jake Thornton currently serves as Associate General Counsel and Head of Regulatory Compliance and Regulatory Affairs at TerrAscend. He has held this position since 2022. Prior to this role, he worked at TerrAscend as Lead Corporate Counsel for Licensing and Regulatory Compliance for eight months in 2021. He also served as Head of Regulatory Compliance and Licensing from 2021 to 2022. In his current role, Thornton manages a team of over 12 individuals across the United States, focusing on regulatory compliance, licensing, quality, and safety.
Previous Experience at Cresco Labs
Before joining TerrAscend, Jake Thornton worked at Cresco Labs as Corporate Counsel from 2020 to 2021 for one year in Chicago, Illinois. His earlier role at Cresco Labs was as Associate Counsel from 2018 to 2020, where he contributed to various legal and compliance matters. His experience at Cresco Labs provided him with a solid foundation in corporate law and regulatory compliance within the cannabis industry.
Education and Expertise
Jake Thornton earned his Doctor of Law (J.D.) from Northern Illinois University, where he studied from 2012 to 2015. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Sciences and Political Science from Illinois State University, completed from 2008 to 2012. His educational background equips him with a strong understanding of legal principles and regulatory frameworks, particularly in the cannabis sector.
Key Achievements in Regulatory Compliance
In his role at TerrAscend, Jake Thornton played a significant part in the $545 million merger and acquisition transaction involving Gage Cannabis in 2022. He has implemented an anonymous whistle-blower hotline to enhance internal compliance and reporting mechanisms. Additionally, he oversaw the creation of a central repository for all licensing, regulatory, and compliance materials, which streamlines access and management of critical documents.
Professional Background
Jake Thornton's professional background includes experience as an Associate Attorney at Quintairos, Prieto, Wood, & Boyer, P.A., where he worked in both Chicago, Illinois, and Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands. He was an Associate Attorney for two months in 2018 and served from 2016 to 2018. His diverse legal experience across different jurisdictions has contributed to his expertise in regulatory compliance and corporate law.