Raman proposes fixes for LA market – Newsletter 10/2/26

Hi everyone, Last call for great networking and an open bar at the WeedWeek happy hour on Tuesday. It’s free, but space is limited.

Now the news,

Alex

FROM WEEDWEEK

SCOOP: Muha Meds founders face investor lawsuit

A married couple are suing the brothers who founded multi-state brand Muha Meds. The plaintiffs claim they invested $2.75M in three affiliated entities but have not received anticipated payments. Muha Meds has asked the judge to dismiss the case.

Read the story

Raman proposes fixes for LA market

Mayoral candidate Nithya Raman released a plan for fixing the troubled Los Angeles cannabis market. In particular, legal operators have struggled to compete against entrenched illegal operators selling untaxed products that are identical or nearly identical to those available in licensed shops.

Read the story

Also in WeedWeek:

• Opponents sue San Diego Co. supes over equity law
• Newsbrief: California regulator plans to appeal diversion suit

Send tips, press releases, concerns, feedback and criticism to hello@weedweek.com. Sensitive material to share? Contact Alex on Signal.

QUICK HITS

Federal:

• DEA administrative law judge Derek Julius issued a stay in the REC rescheduling process. It came after three opposed parties pointed to a new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office which found “gaps” in the DEA’s scheduling policies. It now seems less likely that the judge’s non-binding opinion on rescheduling REC will be released before the midterms.
  Cannabis Business Times
• Four Republican senators asked U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche to investigate Chinese infiltration of the cannabis and hemp markets. They suggest delaying the federal hemp ban would encourage additional criminal activity.

Business:

• Pot stocks plunged following the DEA judge’s ruling.
  Cultivated
• Attorney Slates Veazey discusses the data breach lawsuit recently filed against Planet 13 and its identity verification vendor. MSO Vireo has announced plans to acquire Planet 13.
• The founder of payments company Kind Financial faces federal charges related to defrauding investors. He could not be reached for comment.
  Philly Inquirer
• A federal judge tossed a patent infringement suit against MSO Trulieve.
  Law360
• Lawyer and consultant Marc Hauser thinks a federal appellate court may have endorsed interstate commerce. Many questions remain.
  Cannabis Musings
• George Archos, CEO of MSO Verano, discussed his plans for Virginia.
  MJBiz
• Drinks company Cann makes its debut today at Austin City Limits.
  AP

State and local:

• The NIH is funding a CU Boulder study on airborne hazards in cultivation facilities.
  NBC
• Oklahoma is reckoning with the industry’s environmental toll.
  The Oklahoman
• Twelve workers at a Missouri dispensary claim they were fired for attending a meeting where they discussed joining a union. Days later, workers at another store managed by a Good Day Farm affiliate voted overwhelmingly to unionize. Good Day declined to comment on personnel matters to the Missouri Independent.
• A New York judge threw out operator Veterans Holdings’ lawsuit against track and trace provider Metrc. Veterans Holdings’ CEO Jason Ambrosino discussed what the suit achieved and said they may appeal.
• Maryland firefighters and rescue workers can now use MED off duty.
  Marijuana Moment
• A new poll suggests Massachusetts residents will vote to keep weed legal.
  CommonWealth Beacon
• North Carolina’s Advisory Council on Cannabis has until December 31 to make recommendations for a comprehensive cannabis policy to governor Josh Stein.
  NC Newsline
• In Illinois, new rules delivered wins for operators.
  Cultivated
• Are operators seeking to exit Florida’s MED only market?
  MJBiz
• Pennsylvania Democrats need to flip seats in Harrisburg to legalize REC, pro-legalization lawmakers said.
  WHYY
• An Atlantic City, N.J. public official faces federal, cannabis-related bribery charges related to alleged assistance he provided for a cannabis business.
• A big New York Times narrative looks at cannabis equity in a Hudson Valley river town.

Health and science:

• A new study in Preventative Medicine found potency is not the same thing as THC dose.
• Another study found high rates of cannabis use disorder among seniors.
  WGBH

Fun and interesting:

• GreenState discovered Mark Twain’s “hasheesh’ awakening” in 1865 San Francisco.
• Spotted at On the Revel in New York: A game called Nabis: The Gardening. Learn more here.

CALIFORNIA HITS

State:

• Gov. Gavin Newsom signed new bills on packaging and labeling requirements, as well as on testing, tracking and consumer access to information.
  Marijuana Moment

Business:

• LEEF Brands CEO Micah Anderson argues all crops should be tested like weed.
  HIgh Times
• Glass House said CFO Mark Vendetti would retire in March.
  TipRanks
• MSO Trulieve expanded its licensing agreement with sister companies Connected and Alien Labs to Texas.
• Longtime cannabis prisoner @LukeScarmazzo shared his thoughts on today’s industry.

Local:

• A Monterey County lounge ordinance is moving forward to the board of supervisors.
  Monterey County Now
• West Hollywood’s Emerald Village initiative is inviting folks to “come out for cannabis” on National Coming Out Day, October 11.
  WeHo Times
• A Stanislaus County deputy shot a dog after it allegedly attacked a department K-9 during a cannabis raid.
  CBS