Happy fall and greetings from WeedWeek’s new HQ in Long Beach.

Let’s get to it:

• Exclusive: We tested top prerolls for potency inflation

Plus lots more.

Also, I’ll be at the Benzinga conference in Chicago next week. Say hello!

Alex 

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A WeedWeek test of seven California preroll brands suggests potency inflation is close to ubiquitous in the product category. 

• The seven brands we tested include some of the top selling brands in California: El Blunto (Albert Einstone’s), Field (Glass House), Jeeter (DreamFields), KingRoll (StateHouse), Lowell, Pacific Stone and Raw Garden.

Of the seven brands (and nine total products) included, all of them tested below the THC levels on their label. The implied potency inflation on various products ranged from  14% to more than 500%.

How’d your favorite brand do?

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The year’s legislative session ended with Gov. Gavin Newsom signing a flood of new and amended plant-touching laws. Together they go a long way towards normalizing the plant and industry but of course they only apply to California at the moment. 

Of these the most closely watched is one that could lay the groundwork for interstate trade. It allows the Government to make trade agreements with other states, subject to testing, labeling and other requirements.  Though interstate trade is likely a few years off, CCIA executive director Lindsay Robinson called it a “strong foundation.”

• A law clarifies that insurers can offer coverage for the industry.
  Property Casualty 360
• Child welfare workers must consider cannabis use by parents the same way they consider drinking and prescription drugs. In some states, cannabis alone can be used as justification for parents to lose custody.
  Marijuana Moment
• California became the seventh state to protect workers who smoke off the clock.
  LA Times
• Doctors can’t deny treatment to patients who use you know what.
  NUG
• A new law allows delivery in cities which don’t allow pot shops.
• Veterinarians can now prescribe MED.
    

Statewide:

• The LA Times has a big story on the illegal market’s vast scope and related environmental and labor problems.
• Amid the heat wave, the DCC asked growers to reduce their energy use.
  Cannabis Business Times

Business:

• The U.S. SEC is suing Instagram celebrity Dan Bilzerian’s Ignite International brand to compel compliance over a subpoena involving potential accounting fraud. The company says it’s also being investigated by the U.S. Justice Department. Read the complaint. (Legal research supported by Unicourt.)
  Law360
• Attorney and consultant Marc Hauser unpacks Glass House’s recent $14.7M raise. 
• Grassdoor exec Michael Bostarr highlights distillate’s ongoing popularity, though connoisseurs disdain it.
• Ave Miller of beverage brand Uncle Arnie‘s sees rapid growth for high-dose beverages.
• Canna Law Blog discusses Calif. pot tax payment plans. The blog also notes that the DCC is stepping up business inspections.
• I recently reported on armed officials conducting unannounced water inspections in Humboldt Co.
  WeedWeek 

Local:

• Indio (Riverside Co.) will allow five storefronts. 
  Desert Sun
• Tracy (San Joaquin Co.) is contemplating the future of dispensaries in the city.
  KCRA
• Catalyst Cannabis CEO Elliot Lewis has spent more than $300k to recall a Redondo Beach (LA Co.) councilman. The recall vote is October 19, the same day the city will vote on allowing dispensaries.
  Easy Reader
• Santa Barbara Co. supes approved a controversial shop on Santa Claus Lane. It’ll be run by Roots.
• A civil asset forfeiture case against the so-called Herbal Angels in Santa Barbara Co. is expanding into a criminal case.

Health and science:

• Among all types of agriculture, a study found wildfires are particularly detrimental for weed.
  EcoSphere

Psychedelics:

• Oregon released proposed rules for its new psychedelics program.
• SF decriminalized psychedelics.
  Vice

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Company Milestones:

• Cookies said it will transition to an “international distributor” after a year and a half with Herbl. In California, it will be distributed by Canadian Humble & Fume.
• Low dose beverage Cann raised several million from adult beverage fund InvestBev.
• “Modern oral pouch” brand Cannadips has a new line called Cannadips Fuel, which incorporates lesser known cannabinoids. 
• Glass House edibles brand AllsWell launched a vegan gummie line.
• Bloom partnered with brand accelerator PetalFast.
• Uncle Arnie‘s parent Fly Beverage is expanding to Oregon. 
• Cookies plans to open in LA’s Brentwood neighborhood.
• Cookies Miami had a big first week. It’s owned and operated by TRP.
  Respect My Region 
• Cookies is opening a branch of its Lemonnade retailer in Denver.
  Westword

Job moves:

• SC Labs named Hrish Jain, founder of Ananda Strategy, to its board.

Upcoming:

• Berner is playing Fresno on Saturday.
  Fresno Bee
• Buddy’s Bodega, GreenWolf and Astor Club are partnering on the first east coast growers invitational, in the spring.

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WeedWeek California Pro is the only publication for people who make money in the world’s largest market. Get a two-week trial subscription for $1.