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California cannabis giant Stiiizy is once again facing legal challenges over allegations that it marketed high-potency THC products to minors. A new lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles state court, accuses Stiiizy of deceptive marketing practices that allegedly led to cannabis-induced psychosis in a teenage user.

The lawsuit was brought by an anonymous resident of Contra Costa County, referred to as "KG." The complaint alleges that while KG was in high school, Stiiizy's marketing tactics, which included promoting high-THC vapes, led to manic and psychotic episodes, ultimately resulting in hospitalizations. This marks the second time this year that Stiiizy has been sued over similar claims, with another case filed in Northern California.

Stiiizy New Lawsuit : Allegations of Deceptive Marketing

The central accusation in both lawsuits is that Stiiizy failed to warn consumers, particularly young people, about the dangers of its high-potency THC products. Instead, the company allegedly marketed its products as remedies for anxiety and stress, without adequately disclosing the risks. The complaint highlights Stiiizy's use of vibrant colors, pulsating music, and social media ads featuring young people, all aimed at attracting a youthful audience.

KG's lawsuit states that he began using Stiiizy products at 16, two years before he first experienced cannabis-induced psychosis. By 2020, KG's use of Stiiizy vapes had become a daily habit, with the lawsuit alleging that the company's marketing heavily influenced his decision to vape.

A Psychotic Episode and Legal Consequences

One particularly alarming incident described in the lawsuit occurred on April 20, 2022. According to the complaint, KG, while under the influence of Stiiizy products, ran away from home, stole his father's truck, and fled to San Francisco. There, he adopted the persona of a celebrity rapper, attempting to leverage this identity for free merchandise at high-end stores. Security personnel eventually found him sleeping in the truck at San Francisco International Airport, where he tested positive for THC and was placed in a three-day involuntary psychiatric hold.

KG's attorneys argue that his psychotic episodes, which have included delusions of fame, are directly linked to his use of Stiiizy's high-THC products. The lawsuit claims that KG only realized the connection between his cannabis use and his mental health issues in December 2023, following another psychotic break.

Stiiizy New Lawsuit : Broader Implications for the Cannabis Industry

KG’s lawsuit goes beyond targeting Stiiizy, criticizing the cannabis industry as a whole for allegedly using marketing strategies that appeal to young people while downplaying the potential risks of cannabis. The complaint cites rising THC potency levels in recent years and studies that suggest a correlation between cannabis use and adverse mental health outcomes, particularly in adolescents.

In response to the lawsuit, a Stiiizy spokesperson reiterated the company’s compliance with California's regulations, emphasizing that their products are not marketed or sold to minors and that their packaging clearly states the legal age for cannabis consumption.

Stiiizy has faced other legal challenges in recent years, including a lawsuit in Los Angeles over allegedly overstating THC levels in prerolled joints and a proposed class action in Illinois federal court concerning the sale of products that purportedly contained illegal levels of THC.

KG is represented by a legal team including June P. Bashant of Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn, Sarah R. London, and Miriam E. Marks of Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP, and Sandra Ribera Speed of Ribera Law Firm APC. Stiiizy's legal representation has not been disclosed.