Operator intervenes in Catalyst tax suit – Newsletter 4/3/26

THE BIG IDEA

Hi all,

Happy Friday!

In the newsletter:

• SCOOP: Operator intervenes in Catalyst tax suit

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Alex

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FROM WEEDWEEK

SCOOP: Retailer intervenes in Catalyst tax suit

A Los Angeles County retailer has filed a motion to intervene in a long-running lawsuit over how California taxes vapes. The motion alleges the state is not applying the law fairly.

PLUS: The latest in Catalyst’s diversion suit against the DCC

Read the story

Also in WeedWeek:

• Newsbrief: Anti-legalization activists sue feds over Medicare coverage of CBD
• Newsbrief: Missouri seeks to replace Metrc

QUICK HITS

Federal:

• Sources close to the process said President Trump’s firing of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi isn’t expected to delay rescheduling, MJBiz reports. Bondi, who had said little about rescheduling opposed legalization as attorney general of Florida.

Business:

• The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued MSO Ascend Wellness Holdings after HR allegedly ignored sexual harassment at an Illinois facility. Ascend did not respond to a request for comment.
  HR Director
• Whitney Economics predicts the U.S. cannabis industry will return to growth this year with $30.5B in sales.
• A federal judge ruled an insurance unit of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway must defend MSO Trulieve in a lawsuit over a worker’s death.
  Law360
• A lawsuit alleges Canadian operator Tilray dodged $11M in Bob Marley-related royalty payments.
  Law360
• MSO Vireo Growth closed its acquisition of MSO Eaze. In California, where Eaze is the state’s largest delivery service, former CEO Cory Azzalino continues to lead the unit.
• Jordan Tritt, CEO of data shop BDSA, argued the industry “wasn’t built to favor small operators.“
• The Teamsters union claimed a win in a 20-day strike against a Pennsylvania dispensary owned by MSO Cresco Labs.
• MSO Ethos Cannabis is closing its doors for 4/20 to give the holiday back to its people and patients.
• The Latino Cannabis Alliance argues its time has come.
• Kyle Jaeger, who wrote more than 8,000 articles for Marijuana Moment, is moving on from the weed beat to cover California state government at State Affairs.

State and local:

• Several Massachusetts operators sued to keep a ballot measure repealing the state’s REC law off the November ballot.
  Bloomberg
• Texas’ smokeable hemp ban took effect. These THC products are still available. Buyers may turn to mail order. KSAT commemorated the last day of sales in photos.
  MySanAntonio, San Antonio Current
• New York’s new top regulator hopes to stabilize the market.
  Politico
• There’s a new industry lawsuit against Michigan’s new wholesale tax. The initial lawsuit is pending.
  Detroit News
• A new batch of vertical licenses could become available in Ohio.
  MJBiz
• A convicted cocaine cash launderer is a key figure at an Illinois equity retail chain, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
• The Idaho Senate passed a resolution to keep MED off the November ballot.
  Cannabis Business Times
• Equity activists are calling for Virginia’s forthcoming REC market to be delayed.
• A prominent Colorado political consultant endorsed dispensary owner Wanda James(D) for Congress.
  The Denver Post
  
• Georgia could expand its MED program, and crack down on hemp products, before the legislative session ends.
  Axios
• An Oregon industry veteran wrote about how his work makes him a second class citizen.
  The Source (Bend)

Health and Science:

• A survey of Washington state doctors found they’re concerned about weed’s impact on their patients’ mental health.
  MyNorthwest

Books:

• Joyce Gerber, host of The Canna Mom Show, has a new book: She’s Taking a Break: A Cannabis Romance.
• Publisher’s Weekly reviewed Mendo: How an Unlikely Group of Rebels Turned Cannabis into California’s Cash Crop by Oxford University researcher Charlie Harris.

Fun and interesting:

• There’s a community of foragers who hunt for magic mushrooms on big Silicon Valley campuses.
  SFStandard
• High Times highlights the re-emergence of Ghetto Celebrity, a 2003 book by former WeedWeek California editor Donnell Alexander.

CALIFORNIA HITS

Business:

• Mr. Sherbinski wrote about his career cultivating hot strains.

Local:

• A San Diego County hemp grower is switching to cannabis production.
  San Diego Union-Tribune
• Strong odors in Cathedral City (Riverside Co.) prompted a town meeting.
  Patch
• High Times checks out Trinity County, the “Emerald Triangle’s best kept secret.“

Upcoming:

• The Zalympix are set for May 30 in LA.
  @zalympix