Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Curaleaf’s Alabama Cannabis License Application May Have Used A Dead Applicant

Curaleaf’s attempt to obtain a medical cannabis license in Alabama has been met with controversy after concerns related to ownership arose yet again, while the primary applicant, a local Alabamian, is reported to have passed away before the licensing process was completed.

On Tuesday, Alabama Political Reporter (APR) obtained documents that shed light on a startling connection between one of the highest-scoring companies vying for an integrated cannabis license, 3 Notch Roots LLC, and a man alleged to have ties with a U.S.-sanctioned Russian oligarch, known to be a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In the “Ownership Resume” section of their application paperwork, 3 Notch Roots identifies Andrey Blokh as one of its partial owners. Notably, Blokh is also a part-owner of Curaleaf, a leading cannabis company in the United States. Forbes recognizes Blokh as holding a substantial stake, estimated at over 21 percent, in the entire American cannabis market. Adding to the intrigue, Boris Johnson, the chairman of Curaleaf, is also listed as an owner of 3 Notch Roots.

However, the most eyebrow-raising revelation is Blokh’s association with Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. Abramovich has faced sanctions from the European Union, the UK, and the United States in the wake of Russia’s incursion into Ukraine.

Last year, the U.S. government attempted to seize Abramovich’s assets, including his yacht. A February report from Vice News highlighted leaked documents linking Abramovich to Curaleaf, suggesting that he played a pivotal role in funding the U.S. cannabis industry. These leaked documents unveiled that Abramovich poured over $200 million into Curaleaf, previously known as Palliatech, between 2016 and 2018. Furthermore, they revealed that Abramovich went to great lengths to conceal his investments in the American cannabis sector.

Curaleaf meanwhile maintains that it has no connection to Abramovich, with an update to APR’s story including the commentary from a Curaleaf spokesperson that “This is old news, and that individual has no stake in Curaleaf.”

3 Notch Roots seems to be a subsidiary of Curaleaf, a conglomerate that claims the title of the world’s largest licensed marijuana company.

APR also sought to establish contact with the listed owner of 3 Notch Roots in Alabama. According to the documents, Mertha Carter holds a 51% stake in the company through her sole shareholder status at Carter’s Contracting Services in Andalusia.

However, an obituary for Carter indicates that she passed away in March, a significant detail given that applications for an Alabama license were still being submitted at that time. The perplexing question arises as to how Carter, whose business primarily revolves around construction and excavation, became associated with a cannabis enterprise with apparent ties to Russian billionaires.

Equally perplexing is how 3 Notch Roots managed to secure such a high ranking in the licensing process, landing in the eighth position out of 38 applicants, just five points behind the final recipient of a license in June’s second round of awards. The AMCC’s scoring sheet reveals concerns regarding ownership resumes, proof of residency in the state, and commercial horticulture experience. Despite these shortcomings, questionable ownership connections, and the passing of its majority owner, who was an Alabama resident, 3 Notch Roots still outperformed 30 other applicants.

The company’s application, which is available on the AMCC website, is heavily redacted, a practice permitted by the commission, leaving very little information accessible about the company.


Information for this story was found via Alabama Political Reporter and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Views expressed within are solely that of the author. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.

One Response

  1. To the editor:

    We respectfully ask that you print our statement on this “story” since you did not reach out to us for comment before publication. We also request that you run the statement from the Carter family, below:

    Curaleaf Statement
    This is old news, and that individual has no stake in Curaleaf. Massachusetts regulators already closed an inquiry into this precise issue after concluding what we’ve maintained consistently; no undisclosed controlling or ownership interests by any foreign investor exists and Curaleaf complied with all relevant rules and regulations.

    Hannah Carter statement
    It is deeply disheartening to see this publication stoop to such low, clickbait tactics when there are real people and family businesses at stake. My family is Indigenous to this region and we have deep roots in agriculture, which made us an ideal partner for the team at Curaleaf as they sought to ensure a local approach to their launch in the state of Alabama. Further, we have always been transparent about our intentions to secure a license in the state of Alabama. To that end, we have adhered to every regulatory disclosure and requirements throughout the application process. For anyone to suggest that the passing of our family member was related to this process is not only offensive, but libelous.

Video Articles

New Found Gold: The Strategic Maritime Resources Purchase

Amex Exploration: Revised Perron PEA Has INSANE Economics

Aris Mining: The Multi Billion Dollar Soto Norte PFS

Recommended

Canadian Copper Secures $8 Million Lead Order From Ocean Partners As Part Of Larger Funding Round

Northern Superior Expands Philibert With 350 Metre Step Out Testing 1.10 g/t Gold Over 25.5 Metres

Related News

Curaleaf Closes $1.1 Billion Acquisition of Grassroots

Curaleaf Holdings (CSE: CURA) announced this morning that it has finally completed its acquisition of...

Thursday, July 23, 2020, 09:15:57 AM

US Cannabis: Earnings Preview For The Oncoming Fourth Quarter Results

March is turning out to be a busy month in public cannabis, with many of...

Monday, March 8, 2021, 04:10:00 PM

Curaleaf Holdings To Raise C$275.6 Million Via Overnight Marketed Offering

Curaleaf Holdings (CSE: CURA) this morning released the pricing of its previously announced overnight marketed...

Thursday, January 7, 2021, 10:14:18 AM

Curaleaf Receives 5 Adult-Use License Approvals in Home State

Curaleaf Holdings (CSE: CURA) announced this afternoon that it has received approval for five adult...

Friday, September 13, 2019, 01:46:37 PM

Curaleaf Sees Losses Climb In Q2

Curaleaf Holdings (CSE: CURA) saw mild growth in the second quarter in terms of topline...

Thursday, August 10, 2023, 09:16:48 AM