Hi all,

This week’s story isn’t limited to California, but it certainly matters to California.

I hope you find it valuable,

Alex

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State:

• The LA Times looks at a bill that would extend provisional license deadlines for equity businesses.

Business:

• Cookies closed a Series A financing for an undisclosed amount “at the highest valuation” since the company launched in 2012. The round was led by new investor Entourage Effect Capital followed by 12/12 Ventures. 
• The founders of collective “PuffDAO” discussed the future of weed events.
  Forbes
• KCRW asks if indoor growing can be sustainable.

Equity:

• Geoffrey Lawrence of the libertarian-leaning Reason Foundation argues California’s equity programs aren’t working.
  OC Register

Local:

• NBC finds tough times for small farmers in the Emerald Triangle.
• In Santa Rosa, a city councilman’s shop remains open a month after the city ordered it closed.
  Santa Rosa Press Democrat
• Pot tax revenue has fallen dramatically in grow hub Santa Barbara Co.
  The Independent
• Humboldt supes took a step towards allowing indoor grows.
  Times-Standard
• Long Beach may reduce retail taxes.
  LB Post
• Sacramento is suing a couple alleging they grow and sell without a permit.
  SacBee
• Mendocino farmer Casey O’Neill of Happy Day Farms wrote about the long spring days he loves.
  Redheaded Blackbelt

Crime:

• Federal prosecutors indicted four in a plan to deliver cannabis and other contraband into prisons with drones.
• A driver for distru Nabis was robbed in Oakland.
  KRON 

Oregon:

• Canna Law Blog looks at Oregon’s new requirements to test for aspergillus, a type of mold.
• A survey found Portland is the country’s best weed city, whatever that means.

Nevada:

• A bill targetting the illegal market and tensions between regulators and industry was spiked, despite support from Gov. Joe Lombardo. Another bill seeks to incentivize property owners, consumers and others to hold property owners liable for illegal cannabis activity.
  The Nevada Independent

Washington state:

• A bill to permit interstate trade is headed to the governor.
  Marijuana Moment

Fun and interesting:

• In the North Bay, the Bohemian examines the link between the plant and creativity.

Company milestones:

• Xebra Brands signed an MOU with Vertosa to develop THC-infused beverages for the Mexican market.
• Beverage Cann launched in New York.
  Modern Retail
• Santa Barbara Co.-based Sunstone Estate says it’s the first wine brand to offer a cannabis beverage: Sunstone Spritz.
  Trendhunter
• Rapper Future debuted a new California brand called Evol in partnership with Carma Holdco, which is responsible for Tyson 2.0 and Ric Flair Drip.
• Meet Kush Kriminals, a “utility-driven, digital collectible project” based on a new media universe written by Marvel & DC comic writer Sam Humphries. It has a partnership with Cookies.
  One37 PM
• Seed purveyor Rocket Seeds is opening a new permanent store in Van Nuys.

420 festivities:

• In SF and Oakland and for Bay Area gourmets.
  7×7
• Fast food chain Jack in the Box is stationing food trucks across San Diego, SF and LA as it reintroduces its Pineapple Express shake. It’s also buying ads on Weedmaps.
  Marketing Dive, AdWeek
• Delivery service Grassdoor is giving away a Tesla Model 3.
• Sandwich chain Jimmy John’s is celebrating in Long Beach.
  Mashed
• AdWeek‘s Terry Stanley discussed marketing trends. 
• While “420” is said to have originated with a group of Marin County friends, “the Waldos” in the 1970s. However a group of their schoolmates, known as the Beebs, claim their ringleader said it first. 
  SFGate
• Here’s what’s happening in Fresno.
• Cannabis Now has a national list.
• LA Weekly shared its cannabis culture picks.

Community:

• Stiiizy is sponsoring an Earth Day clean-up of the LA River with LA Waterkeepers.