Calif. biz scrambles to avert July 1 tax hike

California's cannabiz has weeks to avert a July 1 excise tax hike from 15% to 19%. The flailing industry, which saw the lowest Q1 sales since 2020, says the increase would send even more of its customers to the unlicensed market.

Operators were encouraged this week when the State Assembly passed a bill to stop the tax hike with a unanimous 74-0 vote. But the bill -- A.B.564 . . .