Jay-Z’s Marijuana Brand Is Being Accused of Illegally Smuggling from CA to NY

Jay-Z has found himself in the middle of another lawsuit, and this time it’s over his marijuana brand Monogram. According to reports, a lawsuit was filed on February 16th by Cathi Clay, the former vice president of TPCO Holding, the parent company of Jay-Z’s marijuana brand.

The lawsuit claims that Monogram is guilty of illegally shipping cannabis products across state lines. Moreover, it also accuses TPCO Holding of “gender discrimination and filing erroneous financial reports.”

SFGate reports that the complaint asserts the following:

Chief Financial Officer Michael Batesole "made many improper comments regarding women, hiring 'housewives' to conduct accounts payable, persons of color, and skill sets of employees" and TPCO officials were "aggressive, condescending, and publicly questioned Ms. Clay's competence."

After alerting executives to false filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in 2021 and 2022, Clay received a reprimand.

Cannabis goods with the Monogram brand were brought illegally "to New York for a Monogram event with Shawn Carter."

Clay resigned in August following the submission of a whistleblower report.

Jay-Z hasn't addressed the lawsuit in the public yet. The allegations in the lawsuit, according to a statement from TPCO, are "false."

“The company does not comment on active litigation and plans to defend itself strongly against the false accusations,” a spokesperson for the company added.

This lawsuit is not the only one Jay-Z has encountered this year. He reached a settlement with Bacardi about his ownership of the D'USSE Cognac brand in February. The rapper and Bacardi collaborated to develop D'USSE in 2012, but earlier this year the artist tried to sell his ownership.

Jay-Z, however, claimed that Bacardi was trying to undercut him by making an offer of only $500 million for his portion. Ultimately, Bacardi consented to purchase his 50% stake for $750 million. The company is now 75% owned by Bacardi, with Jay-Z apparently holding a "substantial ownership position."

By: Mike Incognito 03/17/2023