Welcome back to Higher Law, our weekly briefing on all things cannabis. I'm Cheryl Miller, reporting for Law.com from Sacramento. 

This week we're looking at:

  • A new California cannabis law.
  • Mandelbaum Barrett cannabis practice chair.
  • Medmen's breach-of-contract suit.
  • Guilty pleas in a federal hemp venture case. 

Thanks as always for reading. Got a story idea or feedback? You can send it all to me at [email protected]. You can also call me at 916.448.2935. Follow me on Twitter: @capitalaccounts

Credit: Konrad/Adobe Stock

California Governor Says Yes to Illicit Operator Lawsuits, No to Psychedelics Decriminalization

California will try a new tactic in its ongoing battle against illicit cannabis sellers: lawsuits.

Gov. Gavin Newsom this week signed legislation that will allow licensed cannabis businesses to sue their unlicensed counterparts for actual damages or statutory damages of up to $75,000 plus attorney fees and costs. The licensee-plaintiffs will have to prove their operators were directly hurt by a defendant's illicit activity.