PAX warns retailers on Stiiizy vapes – Newsletter 6/5/26
THE BIG IDEA
Hi all,
Not much new on the rescheduling front this week, but big changes afoot in Illinois, Minnesota and other states. Let’s get to it.
Alex
Send tips, press releases, concerns, feedback and criticism to hello@weedweek.com. Sensitive material to share? Contact Alex on Signal.
FROM WEEDWEEK
EXCLUSIVE: PAX warns retailers on Stiiizy vapes
San Francisco-based vape maker PAX sent a cease and desist letter to California distributors and retailers, warning that selling certain Stiiizy vape products exposed them to patent infringement claims. It’s the latest development in an IP dispute which applies to the relevant products nationwide.
Stiiizy has denied that third parties can be held liable for selling the products.
Also in WeedWeek:
- Newsbrief: States ‘frustrated’ by lack of rescheduling guidance, report
- Newsbrief: Few seniors discuss cannabis use with doctors, study
- Newsbrief: NorCal cannabis requires less water than other uses, study
QUICK HITS
Federal:
- The Department of Transportation clarified that federally-regulated, safety-sensitive workers like pilots and truck drivers can’t claim products were rescheduled to pass a drug test.
- Louisiana withdrew from the lawsuit challenging rescheduling. Nebraska and Indiana are still on board.
Marijuana Moment
Business:
- Following rival Curaleaf, MSO Verano announced a reverse stock split. Lawyer and consultant Marc Hauser says ‘Uplistin’ ain’t easy.‘
Cannabis Musings - BriefGlance.com takes a look at MSO Ayr’s second act as “creditors take control.”
- Investment platform Robinhood is opening the door to pot stocks.
Moby - Justin Singer, CEO of Colorado-based Ripple Edibles, argues the real problem with legal markets isn’t too much regulation but too little enforcement.
MJBiz - Steakhouse chain Logan’s Roadhouse is launching hemp-derived cocktails in Texas locations.
Restaurant News - In response to the recent high profile lawsuit alleging MSOs did not adequately warn consumers about cannabis-related mental health concerns, surgeon Jeffrey Singer argues consumers “deserve honest information — not a new prohibition panic.”
Chicago Tribune - Oakland operator and activist Amber Senter discussed the cannabis equity “trap.”
High Times
State and local:
- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed the Anti-Inversion Act into law. Some New York MED operators are trying to get out of the $15M conversion fee to serve the REC market.
Cultivated, MJBiz - South Carolina lawmakers are weighing a compromise on hemp-derived drinks.
WIS10 - Canna Law Blog takes a look at Minnesota’s new weed laws.
- An industry overhaul bill is heading to the desk of Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker (D).
- Tennessee banned THCA.
Tennessee Lookout - Alabama’s first MED dispensary is now open.
Alabama Reflector - Operators are struggling in Oklahoma’s MED-only market.
Oklahoma Watch - A Democratic state senator discussed the latest on REC legalization in Pennsylvania.
City & State PA - A Hawaii dispensary sued the state over its hemp laws.
Aloha State Daily
Fun and interesting:
- High Times brought back The Stonys [awards].
CALIFORNIA HITS
State:
- Attorney General Rob Bonta ruled Indian tribes can’t participate in the state market without licenses.
Marijuana Moment
Business:
- Forbes profiled distributor Nabis – the industry’s “Amazon prime” – and preroll brand to watch Sluggers, made by Sacramento-based Natura.
Local:
- Los Angeles voters overwhelmingly passed a measure to tax unlicensed shops, despite strong opposition from the industry.
- California City (Kern Co.) approved a temporary moratorium on new cannabis businesses.
Mojave Desert News
Upcoming:
- The Native American Cannabis and Hemp Conference is June 16-17 at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula (Riverside Co.).