Vireo: California’s new MSO – Newsletter 4/17/26

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Sending everyone best wishes for a happy, safe and prosperous 4/20.

In the newsletter:

• Vireo: California’s new MSO

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Alex

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FROM WEEDWEEK

Vireo: California’s new MSO

Before the pandemic, major MSOs including Green Thumb Industries, Trulieve, Curaleaf and Cresco Labs tried to establish beachheads in California’s massive market. None still has a significant presence here. Now much smaller Vireo Growth has a plan to succeed where the industry’s leading companies fell short.

Read the story

Also in WeedWeek:

• Newsbrief: Non-profits sue California over pot tax shortfall
• BREAKING: Verano exposed private patient data, lawsuit
• California regulator proposes new pesticide rules
• Newsbrief: Georgia non-profit pushes back on MED expansion

QUICK HITS

Federal:

• A piece in the National Law Review asks ‘Why hasn’t rescheduling happened?‘

Business:

• Cultivated reports on how the industry is adapting to high oil prices.
• Target expanded its Minnesota experiment with hemp-derived drinks from 10 stores to all 72 outlets in the state.
  Marijuana Moment
• Surfside exec Travis E. Scadron argues the industry still runs 4/20 like it’s 2021.
• Custom Cones USA released its annual report on the state of the pre-roll market. It says pre-rolls have overtaken flower as the best selling product in the U.S.
• Beard Bros. Pharms argues owned distribution is the only moat left in marketing.
• Weedmaps serves up a state-by-state guide to weed pricing.

State and local:

• A Texas judge temporarily blocked the state’s new ban on smokable hemp products.
• Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger(D) wants to pushi back REC sales six months beyond the Jan 1 date passed by lawmakers.
  Virginia Scope
• Maine’s House rejected a bill to require lab testing for MED. The move emboldened activists as the bill now heads to the state Senate.
  NewsCenter Maine (NBC)
• A sweeping industry overhaul passed the Massachusetts legislature.
  CBS
• Vermont’s regulator discussed the state’s growing market.
  Seven Days
• Michigan sales fell again following its new industry-hated tax.
  New Cannabis Ventures
• New Jersey is creating a $15M low-cost lending program for small businesses.
  New Jersey News12
• The industry poured millions into Hartford, Conn. Now it’s pulling back.
  CT Insider
• After years of controversy, Alabama’s first MED dispensary appears set to open May 4.
  WSFA
• Colorado announced a crackdown on companies using cheaper hemp-derived THC as a substitute for cannabis-derived. The state is also contemplating an industry overhaul.
  The Denver Gazette, Cultivated
• The latest development in Tennessee is lawmakers may take rescheduling power away from an expert commission and give it to themselves.
  Cannabis Business Times
• With North Carolina on the fence, a conservative commentator calls for the return of prohibition.
  Charlotte Observer
• Oregon’s governor signed a bill allowing MED use in hospices and some other health facilities.
  Marijuana Moment
• Maryland’s governor signed a bill to protect veterinarians who recommend MED for pets.
  Marijuana Moment
• Nebraska’s first MED harvest could come as early as this fall.
  Nebraska Examiner

Health and science:

• Here’s what the research says about cannabis and the aging brain.
  Washington Post
• Harvard physician Dr. Peter Grinspoon has a new book: Aging Well with Cannabis: Feel better, sleep better and live better with marijuana and CBD.
• A growing number of Gen Z’ers are getting intoxicated at work.
  N.Y. Post

Fun and interesting:

• Overheard at Coachella.
  @overheardla
• Czech journalist Jakub Horak posts on Toad Venom: The rise of a new cannabis icon.

CALIFORNIA HITS

State:

• The California Department of Food and Agriculture is finalizing regulations for the Cannabis Appellations Program modeled on France’s system for categorizing wine.
  @originscouncil
• The Press-Democrat discusses why the illicit market still dominates California.

Business:

• Leef Brands said it will acquire concentrates brand Himalaya.
• Glass House is among the Santa Barbara County growers losing permits over a failure to install odor control equipment.
  MJBiz

Local:

• @theflushdaddy reviewed the restrooms at Catalyst’s giant new Santa Ana store, formerly a Planet 13.
• Why Marin County has no pot shops but Sonoma County does.
  Bohemian
• Will Hawthorne replace West Hollywood as LA’s cannabis hot spot?
  Eater
• The Mendo Cup returns.