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June 28 2024,
THE BIG IDEA
Hi all,
The cannabis industry remains more interesting than presidential debates.
In the newsletter:
- Catalyst/Glass House suit dismissed on technicality
Happy Friday,
Alex
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LATEST PRESS RELEASE
Brass Knuckles: A Legacy Reborn - Exciting Relaunch in California Cannabis Market
CATALYST/GLASS HOUSE SUIT DISMISSED ON TECHNICALITY
A judge dismissed California retailer Catalyst‘s closely watched lawsuit against rival Glass House Brands without ruling on the merits of the case.
Catalyst alleged that Glass House is a major diverter of product through licensed burner distributors. Glass House denied knowledge or participation in any diversion of its products, which appear on East Coast (Allswell) dispensary menus (Plus) and were spotted during a recent New York City warehouse raid.
- In response to Catalyst’s suit, Glass House had sued Catalyst for defamation but withdrew the case rather than produce materials the judge ordered for discovery.
The judge determined that it’s regulators’ role to enforce California’s diversion law. Catalyst has also sued the California Department of Cannabis Control over the same issue.
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Bel Costa responds to lab suit
Bel Costa Labs CEO Myron Ronay responded to the lawsuit brought by Infinite Chemical Analysis and Anresco Labs: “The allegations contain no merit and are nothing more than a desperate attempt by two struggling and “competing“ labs to gain market share and improve their financial condition. We will vigorously defend the services we provide and are confident that we will defeat this frivolous lawsuit.“
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And for pro subscribers: Stiiizy sues equity partners who “got greedy.”
QUICK HITS
Federal:
- Marijuana Moment compared Biden and Trump on weed.
- Rescheduling didn’t come up in the presidential debate.
- “Is it legal or not?” Canna Law Blog makes sense of the DEA’s position letters.
National:
- Libertarian-ish site The Free Press hosted a podcast debate “Was legalizing weed a mistake?” between anti-legalization activist Kevin Sabet and physician Peter Grinspoon.
- A political science professor calls legalization a successful but disappointing social movement.
LA Times - The NCAA lifted its ban on cannabis use for athletes in championships.
The Hill
Business:
- Leading MSO Curaleaf entered the hemp-derived market. Chairman Boris Jordan talked global expansion and M&A with MJBiz.
- Tech companies Weedmaps and Blaze launched a “comprehensive global cannabis price catalog.” (Tense corrected.)
- Hemp lawyer Rod Kight has a new spreadsheet for state-by-state labeling requirements.
- Lender FundCanna (a WeedWeek advertiser) sponsored 100 clients for National Cannabis Industry Association membership.
State and local:
- “Texas has basically legalized marijuana.”
Texas Monthly - Ohio awarded its first REC licenses to about 40 MED shops.
WKYC - Pennsylvania’s state-mandated software is causing problems for operators.
MJBiz - A lawsuit challenging Rhode Island’s residency restrictions could end up before the Supreme Court.
Providence Journal - A few more Black farmers will receive Florida licenses.
Health News Florida - An Arkansas judge upheld the license revocation of a shop that sold expired products.
Arkansas Advocate - South Dakota is the top hemp-producing state.
South Dakota News Watch - Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced a new cannabiz workplace development program for former pot offenders.
AP - A “Bleed for Weed” promotion in Illinois gave free weed to blood donors.
WREX
Crime:
- NPR investigates the Chinese funded and staffed illegal farms popping up nationwide.
Equity:
- NORML said cannabis reform has led to more than 2.5M expungements or pardons.
Ganjapreneur
Health and science:
- The NY Times examines the death of a New York City 17-year old who started acting erratically and fell from a rooftop after hitting a vape.
International:
- Brazil became the largest nation to decriminalize.
NY Times
Fun and interesting:
- How high is Mt. Everest?
@newyorkcannabistimes - Bongmaker @Puffco asks when hash appreciation ends, and snobbery begins.
CALIFORNIA HITS
State:
- SB 1059, which would clear up a tax headache, passed the state assembly’s tax and revenue committee.
- Ananda Strategy consultant Hirsh Jain and Harris Sliwoski lawyer Griffen Thorne had a meaty conversation on whether the California cannabis industry can be saved.
Business:
- Green Market Report runs through some of California’s highest profile company failures, and asks who’s next. Also, the receiver for a High Times lender terminated the receiver it hired to sell off the brand’s assets.
- The Teamsters allege San Diego-area store Embr paid a sham union to bypass state labor requirements.
MJBiz - A law firm sued operator StateHouse for $425,000 in unpaid bills.
Law360 - The state’s appellations program, intended to highlight various growing regions, begins taking applications next year.
North Bay Business Journal
Local:
- SLO Co. froze its cannabis business tax.
SanLuisObispo.com - SFGate discusses how San Francisco’s gay community launched legalization.
- Union City (Alameda Co.) residents are pushing back against a proposed Embarc dispensary in a residential area.
KTVU - Six PotCos are fighting the city of Cudahy’s efforts to dismiss a lawsuit alleging it reneged on a promise to cancel $5.4M in fees.
Law360
Job moves:
- Emerald Sun CEO Brett Schlesinger joined the board of Mendocino Cannabis Alliance.
Upcoming:
- Hall of Flowers will host its first ‘Festival Day’ as part of its September event in Santa Rosa. HoF is also partnering with Sonoma Hills Farm on a culinary component, including scheduled sit-down meals.
- Transbay moved its San Diego event to August 10.
- The Northern Nights festival is set for July 19-21 on the Humboldt/Mendocino border.
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