Hi all,

It was a bit of a slow news week for weed, so it only moved at four times the pace of a normal industry.

In the newsletter:

• More pesticide recalls in California

Stay cool,

Alex

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The California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) recalled three vape SKUs for the presence of a banned pesticide.

The SKUs: Circles’ Gelatti and Pink Runtz and Backpackboyz’s Black Cherry Gelato all failed tests in the recent LA Times/WeedWeek report on pesticide contamination. In the case of Gelatti and Black Cherry Gelato it was the same batch number.

All of the products were manufactured by K.U.S.H. Collective in LA County, which also figured in our report.

• Circles is a house brand of delivery service Eaze. Eaze provided clean certificates of analysis for the products and CEO Cory Azzalino said it would “continue to evaluate our suppliers and the labs they utilize for testing.”
• Backpackboyz and K.U.S.H. did not respond to requests for comment.

The DCC recalled the vapes for the presence of chlorphenapyr, which the agency does not allow in any amount.

• Our report also found that the Black Cherry Gelato tested above state-permitted limits for insecticide spiromesifen, fungicide myclobutanil and pesticide bifenazate.

The recent pesticide-related recalls of West Coast Cure products were also for chlorphenapyr. The DCC has declined to clarify which of the 66 pesticides that it restricts it can currently test for.

• In addition to chlorphenapyr it has also recalled a product for spiromesifen.

Federal:

• Trump’s running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) voted against banking reform and appears to have a distaste for cannabis, but supports states’ rights to set their own laws.
  Marijuana Moment
• The FTC warned companies making Delta-8 products that resemble popular children’s snacks.
  Ganjapreneur
• Monday is the deadline to comment on federal rescheduling.

Business:

• After Florida Gov. Ron Desantis (R) vetoed an anti-hemp bill, a pro-hemp group pledged $5M to the state Republican party and the fight against November’s REC ballot initiative, CBS reports.
• Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) warned about Amazon and big tobacco entering the cannabiz.
  Marijuana Moment
• A lawsuit alleges singer Melissa Etheridge’s failed potco left her partners in “financial ruin.”
  Billboard
• Consultant and investor Seth Yakatan asked which industry investors and VCs have the best record?
• Attorney Matt Zorn asks whether the U.S. Supreme Court’s Chevron decision is a “nothingburger” for reschduling.
  WeedWeek, On Drugs
• American Banker profiled CTrust which provides companies with a a “cannabis trust score” that provides an objective measure of their creditworthiness.

State and local:

• A New York federal judge rejected a bid from shops to halt New York City’s crackdown on unlicensed shops.
  Law360
• Vegas could allow pop-up weed lounges.
  Fox
• Pennsylvania won’t go REC this year.
  Cultivated
• New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu expanded MED access but vetoed a bill to allow greenhouses.
  New Hampshire Bulletin
• New York City is cracking down on kava and kratom bars.
  Curbed
• With the 100th equity dispensary opening, Illinois boasts of having the country’s most diverse industry. But an MJBiz report finds the picture isn’t so rosy.
  ABC,

Health and science:

• A new study looked at people’s brains on psilocybin.
  N.Y. Times
• A first of its kind study found cannabinoid CBG has an anti-anxiety effect.
  Dr. Ethan Russo

Fun and interesting:

• Entourage star Adrian Grenier discussed psychedelics and fatherhood on April Pride’s SetSet podcast.

State:

• The California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) extended its contract with track and trace software provider Metrc for four years at up to $28.4M per year.
  MJBiz
• With wildfire season underway, DCC is urging the industry to familiarize itself with the agency’s disaster relief programs.
• Cal Norml director Dale Gieringer made the first legal purchase at the California state fair cannabis lounge, hosted by retailer Embarc. The LA Times embedded.

Business:

• SCOOP: Raw Garden products showed up in an NYC raid. The brand didn’t respond to a request for comment.
• LA insiders say the city’s equity program failed. A group of equity operators that have held on are lobbying Mayor Karen Bass (D) for emergency relief.
  Green Market Report
• WEHOVille checks in on what’s happening to MedMen’s assets.
• Cookies is accepting applications for its two-month Cookies U program in Humboldt. Deadline is August 18.
• DenCob Farms, the first “retail” farm in California, a seed-to-sale facility, opened in Smartsville, Yuba Co.
  The Union

Local:

• Visalia (Tulare Co.) is set to vote on retail in November.
  CBS
• A Lake County grand jury report found many potcos going out of business.
  Record-Bee

Job moves:

• Marc LeForestier was appointed general counsel at the DCC. Joshua Eisenberg joined as deputy director of legal.
• Hector de la Torre rejoined the Glass House board.

Company milestones:

• Uncle Arnie’s has a new direct to consumer site selling hemp-derived beverages to 40 states.
• West Coast Cure kicked off a 100 Days of Summer promotion.

Tara Dikhof of Cannabis Cabaret was on board the Hudson River yacht at MSO Curaleaf’s Pride on the High Seas event. 

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