Marijuana-edibles company Dixie Elixirs and a Longmont-based developer of pot-infused mints have settled a legal dispute over trademarks and packaging.
Bridge Marketing had alleged in a lawsuit that Dixie Elixirs recklessly packaged “MED-a-Mints” in a manner that makes them look like candy.
The lawsuit claimed that Dixie Elixirs failed to use Bridge Marketing’s trademarked design for packages of the mintlike lozenges that contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.
Edibles testing: Lab analysis of THC potency is now mandatory in Colorado
Dixie Elixirs on Wednesday said it has reached “an amicable separation agreement which effectively dissolves the relationship” with Bridge Marketing.
Terms of the settlement weren’t disclosed, but Dixie Elixirs said it has the right to sell its remaining inventory of mints created by Gary Gabrel of Bridge Marketing.
“While today’s announcement is a bit anticlimactic in that we had never intended for this simple dissolution to be a public fight, we are pleased that the agreement was reached in just a few short weeks following Mr. Gabrel’s disappointing public spectacle,” Dixie Elixirs chief operating officer Chuck Smith said.
Smith said his company is “very excited to now be free to focus on development of our own exclusive line of Dixie proprietary mints.”
Gabrel said that Bridge Marketing is “glad to move on with our original vision to be first to market with precise small dosage MED-a-mints in truly safe packaging.
Edibles enforcement: Surprise health inspections for Denver makers of pot-infused products
“Our dispute with Dixie arose over fundamental disagreements around safe packaging and positioning,” he said. “Edible marijuana is not candy and it must be packaged and distributed in a responsible manner. We’ve never wavered from our commitment to consumer safety in labeling and childproof protection. The world is watching Colorado.”
On Wednesday, Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a bill designed to regulate the appearance of marijuana edibles to prevent accidental ingestion by children.
Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948, sraabe@denverpost.com or twitter.com/steveraabedp
