Category: California
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California Judge Orders Kushy Punch Inc. Defendants to Pay $128 million
Largest cannabis fine to date in the United States. 20CHCV00560 December 5, 2022 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, et al. vs VERTICAL BLISS, INC., et al. 8:30 AM Judge: Honorable Stephen P. Pfahler CSR: None Judicial Assistant: Adrina Chebishyan ERM: None Courtroom Assistant: Christy Andrade Deputy Sheriff: None APPEARANCES: For Plaintiff(s): ETHAN A. TURNER (Telephonic)…
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Cannabis Delivery by Bike, Motorcycle, or Cargo Van? New Legislation Says Yes
Covid-19 has impacted the cannabis industry in significant ways. It was great that the state governments designated the cannabis industry as an essential service. It was a disgrace that the cannabis industry has been left out of federal small business relief. It is yet to be seen how Covid-19 guidance will impact the industry’s structure…
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San Jose, CA May Mandate Paid Sick Leave for Employees of Essential Service Businesses
San Jose’s City Council will meet tonight to review an ordinance that requires “essential service” businesses to provide employees with paid sick leave. Businesses with personal leave policies that provide employees with a maximum of at least 160 hours are exempt. San Jose’s proposal is significantly higher than the requirements under the California Sick Leave…
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Opinion: California’s Cannabis Tax Cut is a Subsidy, Not a Solution
California is reducing taxes so that licensed cannabis businesses can compete with the unlicensed market. Tax relief without enforcing existing laws will not work. This is not to say that the tax cut is not needed. The tax cut is great and is necessary. However, California can level the playing field by using enforcement powers…
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Super Tuesday: Barstow, CA Cannabis Tax Measure Fails
Residents in Barstow, CA voted yesterday on whether to approve a cannabis business tax. Measure F required a supermajority or 66.7% of voters to say yes in order for it to succeed. The measure failed as only 58.97% of residents voted yes for the measure. The measure authorized a 15% tax on gross receipts and…
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Super Tuesday in Barstow, CA: Residents Will Vote on Cannabis Tax Measure
Residents in Barstow, CA will vote today on whether to approve a cannabis business tax. Measure F requires a supermajority of voters to say yes in order to succeed. The measure authorizes a 15% tax on gross receipts and up to $30 per square foot for cultivation facilities. The city believes that it will generate…
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California to Fine Black Market Landlords and Suppliers Up to $50,000 a Day
California’s Legislature proposes to stamp out the black market by using a two-step approach. Municipalities are encouraged to embrace commercial cannabis while prosecutors will charge black market landlords and service providers with steep daily fines. The expanded enforcement net will act as an indirect tax that levels the playing field. Should service providers to the…
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California Cities Reduce Cannabis Taxes to Boost Businesses
California cities that embraced the commercial cannabis industry are now revisiting tax rates in an effort to boost local businesses and to fight the black market. Some California cities are reducing tax rates or forgoing automatic raises including San Leandro, Benicia, Cathedral City, Monterey County, Redding, and Salinas. These cities are focused on attracting cannabis…