LOS ANGELES (CN) - In a total bummer, a marijuana vendor claims it "wasted over a quarter million dollars" on this year's Northern California Medical Cannabis Cup because High Times neglected to get proper permits.
High Times Corp., whose magazine features salacious centerfolds of marijuana buds glistening with resin, solicited vendors for a trade show called NorCal Medical Cannabis Cup 2015, New Apothecary claims in its Aug. 12 lawsuit in Superior Court.
New Apothecary says it was solicited as a vendor, paid to enter several competitions and signed up a band to play as "an integral part of plaintiff's booth and advertising" for the bash, slated for the Cow Palace in Daly City.
It claims that High Times was "aware of and approved" its musical lineup, even asked to be included on New Apothecary's fliers and posters, and promised New Apothecary's band could play at its booth, so long as the noise level was kept below 71 decibels.
"However, after plaintiff spent over $250,000 on the booth, stage, early fee, contest fees, talent and other costs, plaintiff learned that High never had permits or permission or the right to sell space for such an event as contemplated by the parties," the complaint states.
"In fact ... the union and/or government officials told, warned and rejected proposals from High for approval of plaintiff's booth, stage and event. High never told plaintiff of these developments, but got its necessary approvals without plaintiff's planned activities."
So after New Apothecary built its booth and stage and paid for advertising, it was all "shut down and ordered de-constructed by government and venue officials."
"As the event promoter and the contracting party with the venue, High was in the greater position to understand the rules and what they could and could not sell to plaintiff," the complaint states.
New Apothecary wants its $250,000 repaid, and punitive damages for fraud, breach of contract and negligence.
"The High Times Cannabis Cup is the world's leading marijuana trade show, celebrating the world of ganja through competitions, instructional seminars, expositions, celebrity appearances, concerts and product showcases," High Times says on its Cannabiscup.com website, checked Friday morning.
High Times holds regional Cannabis Cups in Northern and Southern California, Denver, Michigan, Seattle, and Portland.
Its extensive website includes High Times' signature closeups of prized buds, including the winners of this year's Denver Cannabis Cup, held in April: Greenman Cannabis' Ghost Train Haze (Best Colorado Sativa Flower), and Greenway Las Vegas' Ghost Train Haze #13, which eked out a win over Private Stock for Buds & Roses of LA's Veganic Strawberry Cough (Best U.S. Sativa Flower).
Awards were also given for Indica flowers, hybrids, non-solvent hash, best edible, best vaporizer, People's Choice Flowers, and so on.
Neither party to the lawsuit responded Thursday to requests for comment.
New Apothecary is represented by Jeff Katofsky of Sherman Oaks.
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