Glass House Brands Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Catalyst Cannabis Over Illicit Market Claims

LOS ANGELES– California-based Glass House Brands Inc. has taken legal action against Catalyst Cannabis and its leadership, filing a defamation lawsuit in response to allegations made by Catalyst that Glass House is the “biggest black marketeer” of cannabis in American history. Glass House Brands filed the lawsuit, which also accuses Catalyst of violations of California’s Businesses and Professions Code, just days after Catalyst initiated legal proceedings against Glass House, claiming the company unlawfully diverts cannabis products into unregulated markets.

Glass House Brands refutes the accusations made by Catalyst, stating that the claims are baseless and intended to defame the company. In the lawsuit, Glass House describes Catalyst’s social media campaign as “misguided and systematic defamatory,” asserting that the statements were made without any evidence and with reckless disregard for the truth. The lawsuit further states that Catalyst’s claims of Glass House being involved in black market activities are rooted in misplaced anger and hostility, as Catalyst believes it is disproportionately impacted by California’s tax laws.

Glass House Brands emphasizes its commitment to compliance with regulatory standards, asserting that it has taken all necessary measures to adhere to applicable state and local laws governing the commercial cannabis industry. The company highlights that it has not faced any regulatory violations or penalties imposed by the state thus far.

The defamation lawsuit filed by Glass House Brands seeks a jury trial and requests damages, an injunction against further defamatory comments, the removal of defamatory social media posts, and coverage of legal fees. Meanwhile, Catalyst CEO Elliot Lewis responded to the lawsuit on Instagram, maintaining his claims against Glass House and vowing to continue the legal battle.

Hearings for the defamation case are scheduled for August 23 and October 20 in Los Angeles, while hearings for the original lawsuit filed by Catalyst against Glass House are set for August 29 and November 13 in Long Beach. These legal proceedings will likely shape the future of the ongoing dispute between the two cannabis companies, shedding light on the truth behind the allegations and their potential consequences for the industry.