Trulieve pursues defamation suit against influencer – Newsletter 10/15/26

Hi all,

We had a great happy hour last week in LA and are buzzed about future opportunities. We’d appreciate your thoughts and feedback on what kinds of events (and where) would be most valuable to you.

Now the news,

Alex

FROM WEEDWEEK

Trulieve pursues $750k defamation suit against influencer

Leading MSO Trulieve is pursuing a $750,000 defamation lawsuit over six social media posts from between March 2024 and January 2025.

Read the story

“Unimaginable instability” if Curaleaf decision holds, unpaid party warns

A federal appeals court’s ruling not to enforce a cannabis contract because of federal illegality would create chaos in the cannabis industry, a Michigan cultivator argued.

Read the story

Also in WeedWeek:

• Newsbrief: Pro-legalization group stumps for hemp

Send tips, press releases, concerns, feedback and criticism to hello@weedweek.com. Sensitive material to share? Contact Alex on Signal.

QUICK HITS

Federal:

• The DEA judge presiding over the rescheduling hearings has asked the agency to respond to opponents’ ask for more testimony and discovery.
  Marijuana Moment
• Dentons lawyers Eric P. Berlin and Joanne Caceres argue the rescheduling process has been “delayed – but not derailed.“
  Marijuana Moment
• “Weed is on the ballot. The debate has changed.”
  Forbes

Business:

• Glass House stock has taken a beating since it uplisted to the New York Stock Exchange in June. Trulieve has held steadier.
  Kalkin
• Canadian operator Aurora says it’s actively exploring alternatives to MSO Curaleaf‘s hostile bid.
  Cultivated
• Cultivated also asked if rescheduling will revive M&A.
• The CEO of REIT NewLake Capital Partners Anthony Coniglio says institutional capital is coming for the cannabiz.
  MJBiz
• Upscale Denver lounge Cirrus says its opening its second location in Las Vegas, Fall 2027.

State and local:

• The Berkshire Edge reports on Massachusetts’ upcoming repeal REC vote, and spoke to its prohibitionist backer Kevin Sabet.
• Ousted Massachusetts commissioner Deb Goldberg hasn’t given up.
  Boston Globe
• Colorado expanded a vape recall after more consumers reported health problems apparently related to banned compounds.
  Westword
• Both Wisconsin gubernatorial candidates want to legalize.
  The Cap Times
• New Jersey lawmakers are further cracking down on unlicensed product.
  Politico
• Amid mistrust, Oklahoma lawmakers may revise testing requirements.
  Oklahoma Voice
• Illinois sales are up as prices have fallen.
  Chicago Tribune
• MJBiz profiles Joanne Wilson, founder of four store New York retailer Gotham. Wilson, the wife of venture capitalist Fred Wilson, features in a big recent New York Times story about equity.
• Florida’s Amendment 2 initiative may be a tax break for potcos.
  Jason Garcia
• Reklaim Credit CEO Kraig Fox assesses the Oregon market.

Crime:

• California man David “Max” Leidermann pleaded guilty in Nebraska for trucking cannabis across the country.
  Omaha World-Herald
• A RAND Corporation study found legalization reduces crime.

Fun and interesting:

• Panel season is upon us.
  @boofdujour
• A new crime drama, King of Cannabis, is inspired by the rise of Philly hustler Terrence “Tee” Jackson.
• Michael Douglas said he sold weed to pay for college.
  EW
  

CALIFORNIA HITS

Business:

• Glass House said it received Good Agricultureal and Collection Practice (GACP) certifications, “a critical step” towards supplying domestic and international MED markets.
• California’s largest retailer, and leading vape brand, Stiiizy is expanding its state retail presence to 65 by the end of the year.
  Cannabis Equipment News
• Berner has unveiled a new genetics menu. He says distribution will be selective and there may be a San Francisco store and lounge in the works.
  @trapmag_
• Berner is also doing a collab with smoothie chain Sidewalk Juice.
  @berner415
• David Downs writes on the secret to growing California’s best outdoor weed.
  GreenState

Local:

• LA operators are excited about mayoral candidate Nithya Raman’s plan to fix the broken market.
  High Adam
• LA made it a crime for cannabis and tobacco retailers to sell nitrous oxide.
  LA Times
• La Mesa approved a pot tax hike from 4% to 5%, still far lower than San Diego’s 10%.
  San Diego Union-Tribune
• LA is opening cultivation licenses to all eligible applicants next week.
  The Marijuana Herald
• Santa Barbara Co. pot taxes came in $500,000 above expectations for the fiscal year.
  Santa Maria Times
• GreenState checked out Puffcon 2026 in DTLA.
• A man is going to jail for almost a year for crimes against “vulnerable workers” at a Humboldt farm.
  Lost Coast Outpost

Upcoming:

• Here are some of the events alongside the Behind the Redwood Curtain exhibit at the Mendocino County Museum.