Hi all,

You might want to sit down before reading today’s newsletter. I review Can Legal Weed Win, the new book by UC Davis economists Robin Goldstein and Daniel Sumner.

Economics is called the dismal science, and the book doesn’t disappoint on that score:

• Can legal weed win?, the WeedWeek review

Cheer up, it’s Friday,

Alex

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Since we’re talking interstate trade…

In a Maine lawsuit, a federal appeals court found 2-1 that cannabis markets are legal enough to be governed by the Constitution’s  commerce clause. The case struck down a Maine law which allowed only Mainers to sell MED. While this isn’t close to a green light for interstate trade, it’s a nod in that general direction. A new paper by several academics and at least one journalist offers recommendations for how interstate trade can support a fair and competitive industry.

Statewide:

• Gov. Newsom seems to be wavering on a bill to allow safe consumption sites.
  Filter
• Legislators gutted a proposal to legalize psychedelics.
  High Times

Business:

• The end of provisional licensing likely indicates fewer new licenses will be issued in California.
• Weedmaps is laying off about 10% of its 600-person team, Business Insider learned.
• Stock analyst Aaron Edelheit is bullish on Glass House.
• In a post, MediaJel‘s Guillermo Bravo boasts that the marketing tech firm outperformed Weedmaps for a client.
• Leading California edibles company Kiva has problems with New York’s proposed rules.
  NY Cannabis Insider
• Stundenglass is suing several SoCal vape shops for selling knockoffs.
  Law360
• After suing and reaching a settlement, MSO Ascend Wellness Holdings terminated its deal to buy MedMen‘s New York license. MedMen CEO Ed Record said the company is considering all options. 
  Seeking Alpha, MJBiz
• The Nevada Supreme Court ruled that an injured worker fired for testing positive does not have a viable wrongful termination claim. The employee was a tables games dealer who was tested after he slipped and fell in the employee break room. He wasn’t using at work. 
  Business Insurance

Local:

• Santa Barbara Co. supes have approved 166 acres of cultivation in Carpinteria and are currently considering projects for 40 more acres.
  Coastal View 
• A state appellate court declined to give the city of Chula Vista (San Diego Co.)  a new hearing after ruling that it unfairly rejected a dispensary’s application.
  Voice of San Diego
• Humboldt Co. supes made changes to equity rules ahead of dispersing grants.
  Times-Standard 
• In November San Diego County will vote on a tax measure designed to open up the county’s industry and support social equity businesses.
  San Diego Union-Tribune
• Pasadena’s first pot shop apparently closed.
  Pasadena Star-News
• Hermosa Beach approved deliveries from businesses outside the city limits.
  California City News
• Monterrey County DA said Paul King, a former CEO of several businesses, would have to pay $2.4M for growing without a license. King has been in trouble before, was fined
  KION, The Real Deal

Criminal Justice:

• An Oakland church that gives cannabis and psychedelics as communion sued over a police raid.
  LA Times

Nevada:

• Clark County (Las Vegas) regulators continue to weigh the rules for consumption lounges.
  KVVU

Fun and interesting:

• Leafly checked out the scene at the Transbay Challenge IV in LA.
• The LA Times says “clean weed” is the next big thing.

Company milestones:

• Humboldt Seed Company is seeking to register many strains under Colombia’s licensing regime.
• Coastal opened a shop in Concord, its twelfth.
  Cannabis Business Times
• The Parent Company reported another grim quarter.
• Non-infused, streetwear-themed dessert company Cookie Plug, (“Fat stacks baked fresh daily”) which is not connected to streetwear-adjacent cannabis company Cookies, announced a franchise opportunity. 
  QSR

Job moves:

• Unrivaled Brands appointed Sabas Carrillo interim CEO. No word in the press release on what happened to Tiffany Davis who became CEO in May. Here’s the corporate update they issued earlier this month.

Upcoming:

• Bongmaker Puffco announced the lineup for the second annual Puffcon Block Party, October 1 in downtown LA. ScHoolboy Q is headlining.