Glass House bets big on scale

California operator Glass House Brands is building what could be the biggest cannabis grow in world history. But the company’s already sizeable operations haven’t necessarily endeared it to smaller businesses struggling to keep afloat in a glutted market.

I spoke to CEO Kyle Kazan, a former drug cop, about the company’s strategy, the dawn of interstate trade and what equity means to him.

Read it in WeedWeek.

QUICK HITS

Federal:

Congressional Democrats talked equity at a party retreat.
Marijuana Moment

Business:

Investors filed two lawsuits against MSO Parallel and chairman Beau Wrigley, the gum heir, in connection with the company’s failed SPAC deal. Parallel didn’t respond to a request for comment.
After closing its acquisition of Gage, MSO TerrAscend is looking for more deals.
MarketWatch
Pricing pressure has emerged as a “key theme” for public companies.
New Cannabis Ventures
Reuters highlights five court cases to watch.
China is shuttering factories amid a Covid surge. It could have knock on effects for the vape hardware supply chain.
WSJ
Cartoonist and patient advocate Brian “Box” Brown shared more MSO brand maps. This time for Cresco Labs, Verano and Columbia Care.

States:

The weed dealers in New York’s Washington Square Park are now totally open about it.
NY Times
Westword looks at cannabis and hemp bills in Colorado.
A new Georgia law seeks to have D8-THC declared legal.
AP
Reason says California’s mismanaged market has fueled unlicensed sellers.
Los Angeles’ cannabis regulator is hosting a career fair on Saturday. It’s also hosting a webinar series on business development.
Non-profit Americans for Safe Access rated states for MED access.
Phoenix New Times

Fun and interesting:

Check out stoner art from J del.

COMPANY MILESTONES

Bloom Montana, the state’s largest vertically integrated player — 23 stores — closed an $11M debt financing with Altmore Capital.
Trulieve‘s Momenta brand partnered with “Survivor:Africa” winner and cancer survivor Ethan Zorn.
Colorado-based greenhouse designer urban-gro said it would acquire Colorado-based Emerald Construction Management for $7M.
Daily Camera
Software unicorn Dutchie announced a partnership with Last Prisoner Project and said it would match $1M in donations.
Cookies new Batman merch triggered a discussion on LinkedIn.

JOB MOVES

Nancy Birnbaum joined the board of the Sonoma County Growers Alliance.
Weedmaps‘ parent named tech exec Anthony Bay chairman.
California delivery service Grassdoor named Colin Graham creative director.
Former High Times CEO Stormy Simon joined the board of media company Kaya Now.
Colorado-based edibles company Coda Signature named Maigread Eichten CEO, Jessica Urbaniak CFO and Amber Milos CMO.
Lelehnia Du Bois joined Canopyright as Chief Community Officer.

PRODUCT NEWS

There’s a new online community called Weed for Black Women.
California brands Claybourne and El Blunto have a new pre-roll partnership.
Benzinga
A company called Thriving Design sells plant supports made from recycled plastic.
California brand Raw Garden has a new line of infused joints.
Jones Soda is the latest mainstream brand to go green.
Yahoo