Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has accused nine cannabis operators of artificially reducing product options and keeping prices high. Yost adds in a Friday press release that the operators' actions harmed consumers and small, Ohio-based cannabis businesses.

The anti-trust lawsuit stems from a 2024 tip to the attorney general's office from an Ohio cannabis industry employee, alleging "widespread shelf-space allotments." According to Yost's office, the investigation into the tip found multistate cannabis operators had agreed to prioritize each other's products in Ohio dispensaries, all while reducing or even eliminating purchases from independent Ohio cannabis cultivators and processors. These deals were negotiated at a national level, the AG's office added.

"Our investigation uncovered allegations of an industry-wide scheme designed to push small Ohio businesses out of the market," Yost said in the release. "Ohio's antitrust laws protect competition and consumers, not backroom deals that rig the system for a select few."

Two Valley-based cannabis operators are included in the lawsuit: Ayr Wellness in Niles and Curaleaf in Girard. Two of the other defendants involved in the case own and operate cannabis dispensaries in Warren — Jushi operates Beyond/Hello and The Cannabist Company owns GLeaf.

The nine defendants listed in the case are: Ascend Wellness; The Cannabist Company; Cresco Labs; Green Thumb Industries; Jushi; Trulieve; Ayr Wellness; Curaleaf; Verano. 

According to Yost, each cannabis operator named in the case violated Ohio's Valentine Act in multiple ways, including "discriminatory distribution practices that disadvantaged independent Ohio cannabis operators." 

The actions of the operators allegedly reduced product choice and quality for Ohio consumers. Yost also stated that the operators "stifled" innovation and let them keep prices high.