Missouri dispensary chain denies anti-competition claims in lawsuit

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Missouri marijuana dispensary chain with multiple Mid-Missouri stores denied Thursday the claims made of anti-competitive business practices made in a lawsuit filed by two cannabis wholesalers.

CPC of Missouri-Smithville, LLC and GF Saint Mary LLC filed the lawsuit against Good Day Farm and its associated stores. The company's branded stores in Columbia and Boonville, along with a Jefferson City company, are included in the lawsuit.

Good Day Farm, which the lawsuit describes as a "vertically integrated cannabis company" headquartered in Arkansas, through a spokesperson, called the lawsuit's claims of "extract[ing] illegal profits by restraining competition" meritless.

"Our company operates in full compliance with all applicable Missouri state laws and regulations, and we will vigorously defend that record," the spokesperson said.

The lawsuit calls the company and its business partners the "GDF Cartel," made up of independent dispensaries managed by Good Day Farm, and affiliated wholesalers.

"All competitors in the GDF Cartel operate according to the commercial decisions of their ringleader, Good Day Farm," CPC of Missouri-Smithville and GF Saint Mary claim in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims the "cartel" consists of 61 dispensaries under at least five brand names: CODES, Good Day Farm, Greenlight, Fresh Karma and 3Fifteen Primo. Store owners pay Good Day Farm to operate and manage their dispensaries, the lawsuit states.

The plaintiffs are asking for damages and to force Good Day Farm to stop its alleged anti-competitive actions.