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• Cookies retail partner TRP sued for gender bias

Read up,

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Five terminated female employees of TRP, which owns and runs numerous Cookies-branded dispensaries, sued the retail company alleging that the company has a “bro culture” that fostered “pervasive gender discrimination.”

MJBiz:

According to the lawsuit, TRP executives told the women that “some tables are just not meant for you to sit at” and that the company would be better suited with male representatives “bro-ing out” with other brand owners.

The suit further claims that the company allowed an “all-male Real Estate team to enjoy a team-building event in Cabo San Lucas” and permitted another male executive “to rent a penthouse suite in Las Vegas for a cannabis convention.”

• Read the lawsuit.

TRP execs didn’t respond to request for comment.

Read the story

Federal:

• A filing alleges DEA ‘bias’ in its selection of speakers to participate in rescheduling hearings.
  MJBiz
• Substack Ask a Pol Drugs asked all 100 senators what they think of the proposed Safer Banking Act.
• President Biden dodged a question about pardoning cannabis offenders before he leaves office.
  Marijuana Moment

Business:

• A federal appellate court ruled that the federal farm bill legalizing hemp does not pre-empt Virginia’s more restrictive hemp law.
  Law360
• Delivery app DoorDash said it would start delivering hemp-derived products in several states.
  Marijuana Moment
• REIT Innovative Industrial Properties is feeling the pain of tenants not paying rent. PLUS: Here are some of the companies, big and small, that collapsed in 2024.
  Green Market Report
• MJBiz‘s new interim editor in chief Omar Sacirbey writes that opportunities with distressed cannabis businesses abound, but use caution.
• A Florida judge nixed MSO Green Thumb Industries’ plan to open dispensaries at Circle K gas station stores.
  ClickOrlando
• Forbes visited “Willy Wonka’s cannabis flavor factory.”
• Industry exchange traded fund Alternative Harvest ETF (MJUS) has been shut down.
  New Cannabis Ventures
• POSIBL CRO Max Rudsten posted on “Red Lobster, debt walls and cannabis: What could go wrong?“
• Canopy USA, the U.S. division of the Canadian operator, named seasoned cannabis and alcohol executive M. Brooks Jorgensen as its first president. The company has completed acquisitions of MSO Acreage Holdings, edible maker Wana Brands and vape brand Jetty Extracts.

State and local:

• In a long-running dispute, an Arkansas MED grower said he would appeal a judge’s ruling against him.
  ArkTimes
• Ohio REC sales reached $242M in their first, incomplete year. Reforming the law is a top priority for the legislature.
  Cannabis Science and Technology, Dayton Daily News
  
• Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker was disappointed when a bill that would restrict hemp products stalled.
  WTTW
• It’s still not clear when Minnesota’s REC market will open. And the state’s top regulator is stepping down.
  Cannabis Business Times, Star-Tribune
  
• Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear stressed that MED will be available this year.
  Marijuana Moment
• Will rule changes boost Connecticut’s industry?
  CT Insider
• Delaware’s top regulator resigned.
  Delaware Public Media
• The Maine industry gathered ahead of the legislative session with many calling for the state’s top regulator to be fired.
  The Maine Wire
• Rhode Island is one step closer to opening new pot shops.
  Boston Globe
• The Nevada industry blames the illegal market for sales declines.
  CarsonNow

Health and science:

• The U.S. surgeon general called for alcoholic drinks to have labels highlighting cancer risk.
  AP
• Calif. NORML is putting together a study on vape pen emissions.
  KymKemp.com

Fun and interesting:

• What’s changed about ‘Dry January’?
  Axios
• Would you smoke a joint wrapped with sausage casing?

State:

• A bill would re-legalize some hemp-derived products banned by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).
• Cannabiz companies face unique risks amid the LA fires, Green Market Report reports.

Business:

• Now legal cannabis cafes could help landlords fill empty restaurant space.
  CoStar
• Cookies is launching in Ohio, in partnership with Klutch Cannabis.
• Marketer Alicia Jernigan wants to know why would YOU choose a sun grown brand over indoor.
• Catalyst CEO Elliot Lewis pushed back on a licensing “flip flop” in the city of Riverside.
• Trade show Hall of Flowers is returning to the Ventura County Fairgrounds in March.
• Weedmaps named Sarah Griffis CTO.
• Vertosa, which makes ingredients for cannabis drinks, named Gul Konuklar, VP, research and development.

Local:

• Delivery business MedLeaf is expanding in Oceanside (San Diego Co.).
  San Diego Union-Tribune
• Monterey Co. approved a revised cannabis strategic plan.
  KION