State authorities have shut down three Sweet Leaf stores in the Denver suburbs for alleged violations, the latest twist in the downfall of one of Colorado’s largest marijuana retailers.
Sweet Leaf’s marijuana licenses for those locations in Aurora, Thornton and Federal Heights were suspended Thursday while the state continues to investigate, Shannon Gray, spokeswoman for Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division, told Marijuana Business Daily. The suspensions were first reported by Denver alt-weekly Westword.
Because of the ongoing investigation, Gray said she couldn’t disclose the specific violation or other details that led to the dispensary closings.
Earlier this month, the city of Denver revoked all 26 of Sweet Leaf’s cultivation, processing and retail licenses in Denver because of an alleged illegal sales scheme directed by company management.
As part of a lengthy criminal investigation, authorities last December shuttered Sweet Leaf’s stores in Denver, arrested a dozen budtenders and suspended the company’s marijuana licenses.
Sweet Leaf, which maintains its innocence and says it will appeal Denver’s decision, won a court stay this week from having to destroy all its marijuana product in the city.
In court documents, the vertically integrated company says it has at least $7.5 million worth of cannabis product in its Denver locations.
Sweet Leaf didn’t respond Friday to MJBizDaily‘s request for comment about the latest dispensary closures.
Sweet Leaf also has a store in Portland, Oregon, which remains open.
Gray said Colorado state officials notified local authorities of the enforcement action.
