New Lawsuit: CO Cannabis Baron Breaking IL MMJ Rules

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Yet another lawsuit has been filed in Illinois over the licensing process in the state’s medical marijuana program, and the new suit claims that a Colorado cannabis businessman has broken anti-monopolization rules.

The suit alleges that Kayvan Khalatbari, the owner of consulting firm Denver Relief, has a controlling interest in more than three companies with MMJ cultivation licenses in Illinois, according to the Associated Press.

But Khalatbari said there’s no truth to that claim, called the allegations “irresponsible,” and said it equates to “misinformed public slander of my character.”

The suit contends that Denver Relief and Khalatbari have ownership stakes in Cresco Labs, which was awarded three cultivation licenses in Illinois, and Progressive Treatment Solutions, which also won a cultivation license. Only 21 such licenses will be handed out in the entire state.

The lawsuit was filed by a competing company, Medponics Illinois, which is in the running against Progressive Treatment Solutions in Lake County for a cultivation license.