D.C. Cannabis Firm Files $1.6M Lawsuit Over Failed Indoor Grow System Project
Green Grow alleges breach of contract, fraud and project abandonment by cultivation design firm. The D.C.-based cannabis operator is suing its cultivation contractor for at least $1.6 million, alleging the firm failed to deliver a promised turnkey grow system, oversold specialized equipment, withheld critical designs, and abandoned the project in late 2025—forcing a costly redesign and leaving behind unusable inventory.
- The next ABC Board meeting is April 22, 2026: watch, agenda.
- Catch up on the April 8 disposition.
Stakeholders urged Virginia regulators to address key gaps in the state’s adult-use cannabis rollout, including equity-focused licensing, technology interoperability, supply chain timing, and workforce readiness, during public comments at the April 8 CCA Board meeting.
Virginia cannabis retail rollout faces new friction as governor pushes changes to market structure
Virginia’s long-awaited cannabis retail market is facing renewed uncertainty after Gov. Abigail Spanberger proposed significant changes to legislation already passed by lawmakers, including delaying the launch to July 2027, reducing the number of retail licenses from 350 to 200, and increasing the state tax from 6% to 8% starting in 2029. Lawmakers such as Lashrecse Aird and Paul Krizek, who helped negotiate the original compromise bill, have pushed back on the amendments, which also lower possession limits and introduce stricter penalties for certain cannabis offenses. The revisions now return to the General Assembly, highlighting ongoing tensions over how aggressively Virginia should regulate and tax its emerging adult-use cannabis market.
Southern Maryland contributes $1.58 million as state cannabis tax revenue tops $27.6 million
Maryland collected $27.6 million in adult-use cannabis tax revenue between October and December 2025 under its 12% tax rate, with Southern Maryland contributing about $1.58 million from dispensaries in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties. The majority of revenue came from the Central Region, but funds statewide are distributed across multiple programs, including the General Fund, community reinvestment efforts, public health initiatives, and business assistance programs aimed at supporting equity in the cannabis industry. The revenue reflects continued growth since legalization, with quarterly reporting intended to show how cannabis taxes are reinvested into communities and state operations.
ICYMI: D.C. licensing lawsuit hinges on federal appeals court ruling as Virginia faces growing pains
East Coast Roundup
North Carolina’s state cannabis advisory council is continuing to study legalization frameworks, but no bill has advanced, reflecting ongoing political gridlock rather than imminent market launch.
Rhode Island is moving forward with awarding cannabis retail licenses through a lottery that includes a worker-owned cooperative model, marking a novel approach to equity-focused ownership.
An Ohio judge issued a temporary injunction blocking enforcement of the state’s ban on intoxicating hemp-derived THC beverages, allowing continued sales while litigation proceeds.
Culture & More
New research suggests heavy or long-term cannabis use may be associated with negative brain health outcomes, adding to growing public health scrutiny as legalization expands.
Early research indicates cannabis may affect women differently than men across areas like mental health and dependence risk, underscoring gaps in gender-specific data.
Cannabis remains present in prison systems despite prohibition, highlighting enforcement inconsistencies and the persistence of illicit markets even in controlled environments.
Around the Country
Colorado regulators are increasing enforcement against intoxicating hemp products that fall outside the marijuana regulatory system, exposing gaps and risks for operators in the hemp-derived THC space.
Mississippi law prohibits transporting legally purchased cannabis across state lines, reinforcing ongoing federal illegality and legal risks for consumers and businesses.
California authorities shut down multiple illegal grow operations in Alameda County, seizing roughly 20,000 plants in a continued crackdown on unlicensed cultivation.
Colorado’s cannabis industry is experiencing declining sales and price compression, leading to business closures and signaling a challenging phase for operators in a mature market.
From the swamp
Federal health officials including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Oz are seeking dismissal of a lawsuit challenging a federal hemp-related coverage program, reflecting ongoing legal disputes over cannabinoid policy.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to expand research into ibogaine for addiction and brain trauma, signaling increasing federal openness to psychedelic therapeutics.
Federal lawmakers are considering legislation that would allow states to opt out of a potential federal crackdown on intoxicating hemp THC products, pointing to a fragmented national regulatory approach.
