Hi all,

Lots of news today. Let’s get to it.

• Stiiizy co-founders embroiled in “criminal enterprise,” former CEO alleges

Lots more too,

Alex

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SCOOP: Stiiizy co-founders embroiled in “criminal enterprise,” former CEO alleges

Two Stiiizy co-founders “have been running a sprawling enterprise of 18 or more unlicensed, illegal cannabis dispensaries,” while controlling the licensed company, a former CEO and director of Stiiizy parent company Shryne Group alleges in a lawsuit.

Stiiizy president Tak Sato denied the allegations.

Read the story…

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Also, ICYMI: Recalled Grizzly Peak flower was purchased from another grower.

Story updated the story with additional comment from ProForma Labs.

Business:

• Gardening company Scotts Miracle-Gro, parent of troubled grower supply company Hawthorne is looking for M&A.
  MJBiz
• MSO Curaleaf is poised to uplist its shares in Canada.
  MarketWatch
• Crain’s Detroit reports on the collapse of on-time Michigan powerhouse Skymint.
• Michigan-based Psi Labs is closing, citing their “seemingly impossible vision of providing accurate data to a community that, at times, may not have fully embraced it.”
• Some execs shared their 2024 predictions with Forbes.
• MGO published its annual list of the 50 most impactful companies, organizations and people in weed.

State and local:

• The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission is in a state of chaos and bureaucratic meltdown.
  Boston Globe, WBUR
• Republican lawmakers in Ohio won’t be able to tighten the state’s new REC law until at least January.
  MJBiz
• Lack of capital and ‘authenticity’ reportedly dog Nevada’s industry.
  The Nevada Independent
• What will Colorado dropping the RFID tag requirement mean for the industry?
  Cannabis Business Times
• Pennsylvania lawmakers passed a bill that would allow more MED companies to vertically integrate.
  Marijuana Moment
• Oregon’s new rule requiring a tax compliance certificate creates another hurdle for retailers.
  Bloomberg Tax
• REC sales are on the rise in Maryland.
  Green Market Report
• A Michigan man who challenged license residency requirements in New York and California has sued Washington state.
  Green Market Report
• Lab Steep Hill Mississippi found dangerous levels of pesticides in some hemp-derived products.
  Magnolia Tribune
• Alabama picked five companies for integrated MED licenses including MSO Trulieve.
  AL.com

Health and science:

• An article in The Atlantic says destigmatizing drug use has been “a profound mistake.”
• Food Safety reports on the state of food safety in weed.

Job moves:

•  MJBiz named Emilie Lewis SVP, marketing, audience and content strategy.

Fun and interesting:

• GreenState shared a gift guide for the old-school stoner.

Business:

• Brand Canndescent‘s web site has been down for days and execs haven’t responded to queries about whether it’s a going concern. Started by Harvard Business School grad Adrian Sedlin, the company that aspired to be the “Hermès” of cannabis raised tens of millions. Earlier this year Sedlin joined controlled environment agriculture company Wilder Fields as CEO. 
• SFGate profiles Catalyst’s Elliot Lewis “the angriest weed CEO” in California.

Local:

• There’s a petition to save licensed craft farm Agricola Flower & Nursery from being tripped up by Sonoma County’s “moving goal posts and unattainable permitting gauntlet.“
• Reversing an earlier decision, Humboldt Supes approved Big River Farm, a controversial grow near the community of Ettersburg. 
  Lost Coast Outpost
• San Diego is cracking down on intoxicating hemp products.
  Hoodline
• Lake County included weed in its crop report for the first time.
  Lake County News
• Santa Barbara Co. supes approved a Haven shop in the community of Los Alamos.
  Noozhawk
• SacBee columnist Tom Philip discusses the standoff between the industry and youth enrichment groups funded by pot taxes.
• Rancho Cucamonga (San Bernardino Co.) will allow only one MED delivery service.
  Daily Bulletin
• High Times rhapsodizes about the flower emerging from Mendocino’s Anderson Valley.

Company milestones:

• Glass House Brands finalized a $15M preferred stock offering.
  Benzinga
• Private Reserve is due to become WeHo’s newest weed lounge in February in partnership with dispensary Off The Charts.
• Cookies is opening a shop in Peoria Heights, Ill.
• Eaze subsidiary Green Dragon announced the opening of eight more shops in Florida.
• Muha Meds expanded its vape line in California and Michigan.
• Statehouse issued some restricted share units.