Vape Sellers, Makers Evade Ga. Woman’s RICO Scheme Suit

Judge Steven D. Grimberg of the Northern District of Georgia dismissed with prejudice the RICO claims in a putative class action alleging that vape manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and testing labs conspired to sell products containing illegal levels of delta-9 THC. Stripped of hyperbole and legal conclusions, the court found, the complaint described nothing more than links in a supply chain connected by ordinary commercial dealings, with no specific facts showing an agreement to sell illegal products or to obtain fraudulent certificates of analysis. The court also found it lacked personal jurisdiction over most of the manufacturer and laboratory defendants, found the amount in controversy fell well short of the Class Action Fairness Act threshold, and declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the remaining state law claims.

Firm involvement: Cookies Creative Consulting was represented by Richard L. Robbins, Vincent R. Russo, Ed Bedard, and Kacey F. Baine. Ledbetter v. Cloud 9 Online Smoke & Vape LLC, No. 1:24-cv-00538 (N.D. Ga.).

Summarized from reporting by Mike Curley, Law360, April 2, 2026. Read the full article