The Stiiizy lawsuit, filed on Thursday by twin sisters in Los Angeles Superior Court (Case Number: 24STCV32779), alleges that the STIIIZY marijuana brand’s products have led to widespread cannabis-induced psychosis (CIP) among young users in California. According to the complaint, this issue has been exacerbated by marketing tactics such as enlisting rappers at dispensary openings, which the plaintiffs claim entice impressionable adolescents into high-potency vaping habits and severe mental health crises.
The plaintiffs, identified only as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, bring claims of fraud, strict products liability, and negligence against the brand. They are seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, asserting that STIIIZY’s strategies directly contributed to the development of CIP in vulnerable youth. The lawsuit states that these potent products and the manner in which they are promoted have set the stage for a serious and escalating public health concern. This isn’t the first time the brand has faced a lawsuit over its marketing approach toward minors, as a previous case raised similar concerns.
“STIIIZY’s conduct and products are causing young people to suffer cannabis-induced psychosis and fueling what the sisters contend is an epidemic of CIP among California’s youth,” the lawsuit states. CIP is described as more than just a fleeting bad experience; rather, it can require prolonged treatment, including the possible use of anti-psychotic medication, indicating a long-term impact on those affected. As the Stiiizy lawsuit highlights, these allegations underscore the ongoing debate over how high-potency cannabis products may affect developing minds.
A representative for Los Angeles-based STIIIZY did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the allegations. The complaint points to the brand’s opening event at a Pomona dispensary in June 2021, where rappers Xzibit and Too Short made appearances. The sisters’ filing also mentions a collaboration between STIIIZY and the Rolling Loud California music festival, suggesting a deliberate effort to merge cannabis marketing with popular youth culture. According to the Stiiizy lawsuit, such strategies may have accelerated the spread of CIP among underage consumers.
Jane Doe 1, according to the suit, began vaping during her freshman year of high school and soon became dependent on the products. She reportedly vaped throughout the day and even woke up at night to use her STIIIZY vape. Over time, her mental health deteriorated, and she experienced episodes she interpreted as “going crazy,” reflecting the lawsuit’s core allegations that STIIIZY’s products can trigger severe psychological distress.
According to the legal filing, Jane Doe 1’s psychological state worsened, causing her to feel paranoia and perceive that others were monitoring her. She heard voices and experienced visual disturbances, culminating in two suicide attempts in 2021, once by running into oncoming traffic and another by ingesting a large quantity of Tylenol. These incidents, as stated in the lawsuit, underscore the gravity of the alleged harm caused by the potent vaping products.
Jane Doe 2’s experiences were somewhat different but similarly troubling. She recalls frequently seeing STIIIZY advertisements on Instagram while in middle and high school and bypassing age-gate restrictions to view them. By age 13, she had already begun using the brand’s products at her school in Newhall, attracted by the promotions, marketing, and packaging. The lawsuit contends that STIIIZY’s aggressive branding played a major role in normalizing early and frequent use.
While attending the same high school as her sister, Doe 2 found STIIIZY products “everywhere,” and she and her friends would vape in class. As her consumption increased, her academic interests faded, ultimately leading her to drop out. The lawsuit states that Doe 2 currently suffers from headaches, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, and she has struggled to secure steady employment. These outcomes, according to the plaintiffs, are directly linked to the unchecked proliferation of high-potency cannabis products targeting young consumers.
By highlighting these personal accounts, the Stiiizy lawsuit aims to hold the brand accountable for marketing techniques and product potency levels that, the plaintiffs allege, have far-reaching negative effects on minors’ mental well-being and future prospects. The case continues to unfold, drawing attention to the potential consequences of marketing and distributing high-strength cannabis products to underage audiences.
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