Vertosa’s hemp products are cannabis derived: Lawsuit — Newsletter 1/16/25
Marquis Hayes, courtesy Marquis Hayes
THE BIG IDEA
Hi all,
Wow, 2026 seems to be the year the rest of the world moves as fast as the cannabiz.
Hope you’ll join us next Thursday Jan. 22 at 1 pm PT for the next WeedWeek Wonks virtual event. BDSA COO and co-founder Lis Stahura will present on 2025 state and national market data, and her outlook for the year ahead.
In the newsletter:
- N.Y. AG backs equity operator against Southampton
And lots more,
Alex
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FROM WEEDWEEK
N.Y. AG backs equity operators’ suit against Southampton
New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) is backing a social equity operator in his lawsuit against Southampton, the eastern Long Island town known as a summer playground for ultra-wealthy vacationers. While the town has imposed numerous local ordinances on hopeful dispensaries, the plaintiff’s location satisfies state requirements, James wrote in November. “The town code must give way.”
BREAKING: Ingredient maker Vertosa’s hemp products are cannabis derived: Lawsuit alleges
- Vertosa denies the allegations
A California Assembly committee advanced a bill to ban disposable vapes
Despite the disaster next door in LA, Santa Monica is starting an equity program
QUICK HITS
Federal:
- Two Republican Senators filed an amendment to block rescheduling.
Marijuana Moment - A Republican congressman filed a bill to delay the hemp ban two years.
GreenState - Canna Law Blog weighs in on the Constitution’s dormant commerce clause issue which is dividing federal appeals judges as it pertains to you know what.
- High Times published an essay on Libertarians on the long road to legalization. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), discussed hemp and cannabis with Joe Rogan.
- Marijuana Policy Project executive director (and my cousin) Adam Smith argues “legal access faces an existential threat” in 2026.
Marijuana Moment
Business:
- MJBiz reports on the “flurry of M&A” since Trump’s December rescheduling order. Cannabis Musings asks if M&A is back.
- Colorado-based Key Investment Partners bought BellRock Brands’ portfolio out of receivership. Fomer Curaleaf CEO Joe Bayern will lead the company, now called MM Brands. It’s brands include Dixie Elixirs, Rebel Coast, Défoncé and Mary’s Medicinals.
State and local:
- A bill filed in New Jersey would enable interstate trade.
Marijuana Moment - It appears unlikely that fraud allegations will derail a Massachusetts ballot initiative to repeal REC legalization. Longtime legalization opponent Kevin Sabet’s Smart Approaches to Marijuana is backing the initiative. Meanwhile, sales reached a new high, despite falling prices.
WWLP, MJBiz, WCVB - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul(D) wants to open a MED center that would boost access in minority communities.
NY Post - An applicant described the Illinois equity situation as a “nightmare.”
Crain’s Chicago Business - Nevada’s Republican AG argued cannabis users don’t have gun rights.
Nevada Independent - A bill was filed to create a REC market in Virginia.
The Marijuana Herald - In Hawaii, a lawmaker wants REC on the ballot.
Star-Advertiser - Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost rejected a proposed veto referendum on a new law making the state’s REC law more restrictive.
Cannabis Business Times - A Michigan appeals court declined to fast-track litigation over the recent tax hike.
WKAR - Georgia lawmakers are set to weigh an expansion of the state’s limited MED program.
Axios Atlanta - A new proposal in Texas would cut into its big hemp industry, even as MSOs enter its MED industry.
Houston Public Media, MJBiz
Health and science:
- Writer Susan Shapiro published an essay: “How I broke free of cannabis, and you can too”
LA Times
International:
- Two of Australia’s biggest operators merged.
MMJDaily - An arriving American who filed a lost luggage report at Dublin airport was arrested when his bag held €280,000 worth of weed.
EchoLive.ie
R.I.P.
- Beloved and celebrated Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir died at 78. He’ll be honored Saturday at a celebration in San Francisco. And the Dead play on.
NPR, Rolling Stone, NY Times
CALIFORNIA HITS
State:
Here’s what Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) last budget says about weed.
Cannabis Wire- Outgoing Department of Cannabis Control(DCC) director Nicole Elliott gave an exit interview to Cannabis Wire.
Business:
- Operator Sunderstorm acquired pre-roll shop Lime.
- The SLO Co. New Times called weed California’s dead golden goose.
Local:
- How Redwood City ended the SF-Peninsula’s “weed desert.”
SF Gate - San Diego Co. supes voted to update their rules.
Times of San Diego - In Humboldt, licensed grows are getting complaints about light pollution.
KymKemp - Humboldt Botanical Garden has a new interim executive director.
North Coast Journal - Times are tough in Humboldt.
Mad River Union - Richmond’s equity program isn’t working.
Richmondside - To settle a lawsuit, Siskiyou county agreed to policing reforms over profiling Asian Americans for suspected involvement with unlicensed grows.
The Guardian
Upcoming:
- The Top Shelf Comedy Show will be Jan. 28 at The Pottery on Venice Blvd. in LA.