Hi all,

There is too much news!

And California Gov. Gavin Newsom is about to hold a press conference recommending emergency measures to address hemp products. (Correction: This previously referred to contaminated hemp products, which were not the reason for Newsom’s proposed ban.)

Read last week’s story FREE for more info.

Alex

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Key Cookies retail partner TRP, has sought to add new allegations to a pending $100M lawsuit it filed against the company, generally regarded as the best known brand in cannabis. 

• Separately, and not previously reported, an entity associated with Cookies has sued entities associated with the retail partner, TRP.

Read it in WeedWeek California Pro

Federal:

• Donald Trump “kinda-sorta” endorsed Florida’s upcoming REC ballot initiative. Kamala Harris called him an opponent of legalization during his administration. The Washington Post reported on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ opposition to the initiative which is supported by Trulieve and other MSOs. Trump met with Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers before his endorsement.
  Cultivated, Orlando Sentinel, Marijuana Moment
  
• The DEA rescheduled a hearing on rescheduling until after the election. Former Trump attorney general Bill Barr called rescheduling “grossly irresponsible.“
  Marijuana Moment
• Canna Law Blog argues the future of reform is brighter. Overall, the industry prefers Harris, MJBiz reports.
• A federal appeals court in Texas ruled that a cannabis user can’t be barred from gun ownership.
  Reuters

Business:

• Overall, sales growth is struggling. Ancillary stocks are outperforming operators.
  New Cannabis Ventures, BDSA
• Pre-rolls are the industry’s fastest growing product category.
  MJBiz
• Entrepreneur profiled Roger Volodarsky, CEO of dab-rig pioneer Puffco.
• Lender (and WeedWeek advertiser) FundCanna has a new offering that aims to relieve the industry’s A/R debt crisis.

State and local:

• Massachusetts equity activists called for an investigation into MSO Ascend Wellness Holdings after it emerged that chairman Abner Kurtin owned between six and nine retail licenses, well-above the state limit of three.
  Green Market Report
• Kentucky received a staggering 5,000 applications for MED licenses, with a lottery upcoming.
  WHAS
• Missouri regulators issued their third big recall in a month. Show Me State Gov. Mike Parson (R) ordered intoxicating hemp products removed from store shelves.
  StLToday, Hemp Today
  
• New York’s regulator hasn’t increased staff since Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) called for an overhaul of the agency. So far there are only two names on the state’s list of shops delinquent on their bills.
  NYPost, Green Market Report
  
• Ohio capped the number of shops in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati, its three biggest cities.
  Cincinnati.com
• Lots of businesses applied for MED retail licenses in Kentucky.
  WLKY

Health and science:

• The Atlantic argued weed is now too strong.

Fun and interesting:

• In a different universe, Trump went to Woodstock.
  Richard Rose
• Burning Man from the sky.
  @ravemoments2

State:

• The legislature passed bills that would allow weed to be sold at farmers’ markets and cafes. They await Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature. Last year he vetoed a cafe bill.
  SFGate, WeedWeek
• A state auditor determined that the Department of Cannabis Control did not properly oversee a $100M grant intended to help jurisdictions transition growers from provisional to annual licenses.
  Cannabis Business Times
• The state collected $263M in Q2 pot tax revenue, down slightly from Q1.
  SJVSun
• There’s a press conference today in West Hollywood to support the cafe bill.
  CityWatchLA

Business:

• Many industry luminaries squared off in a conference call with officials from the CDTFA, the state’s tax agency over a proposed rule.  Agency officials stonewalled for two hours, infuriating execs on the call. Retailer Catalyst has sued the agency over the rule in question. Public comments can be submitted until September 12.
• Stiiizy faces a new lawsuit alleging its products caused cannabis-induced psychosis in a user.
  Law360

Local:

• A CNN investigation found Antioch (Contra Costa Co.) is a hotbed of unlicensed grows. One is in a home owned by an Oakland cop.
  Officer.com
• San Luis Obispo city council voted to let retailers deliver.
  KSBY
• Stockton could allow dispensaries to stay open longer.
  Recordnet.com
• In growing hub Santa Barbara Co. the county planning commission will hear recommended amendments to the odor ordinance.
  CoastalView
• A Merced Co. high school teacher was arrested for allegations of giving cannabis to a student.
  ABC
• Humboldt County’s sheriff said “forced labor” is rife on unlicensed farms.
  Mad River Union

Recalls Etc.:

• On his podcast, Catalyst CEO Elliot Lewis interviewed Josh Swider, CEO of testing lab Infinite Chemical Analysis.

Crime:

• Nearly two dozen suspects, many tied to Oakland gangs, were charged in a number of NorCal dispensary robberies.
  NBC
• LA’s “ketamine queen” has been charged in Matthew Perry’s death.
  LATimes