UPDATED 4/18, 4:00 p.m. ET: Hemp company Bay Smokes has provided a statement to Complex, writing that the Holding Company’s complaint was filed “wholly without merit.” The brand also intends to pursue counterclaims.
“We stand by the quality and legality of all of our hemp products, which undergo independent third-party laboratory testing,” Bay Smokes wrote. “We look forward to defending ourselves in the appropriate forum and are confident we will be fully vindicated. We remain committed to our partners and customers, and we will not be commenting further on any pending litigation.”
See original story below.
The company that markets and licenses Lil Baby’s intellectual property says that the rapper’s reputation is being ruined by contaminated product put out by their partners in a hemp brand.
Last week, The Holding Company, which controls a number of Lil Baby-themed trademarks, sued Bay Smokes, as what was supposed to be a collaboration on Lil Baby-themed hemp products (including ones named “WHAM!”, “SAVAGE PATCH!”, and “GOON BERRIES!”) allegedly went very wrong.
According to the complaint, seen by Complex, Bay Smokes, co-founded by adult entertainer Katiana Kay and William James Goodall, posted erotic videos, thus creating a “false impression” of the content being associated with Lil Baby’s brand.
But that wasn’t even the primary problem. The lawsuit further claims that Bay Smokes’ Lil Baby-themed items were illegal cannabis products, rather than the legal hemp products that the deal was for. The Holding Company says that they ordered some of the Lil Baby-themed products from Bay Smokes and had them tested. The product “failed microbial safety testing and contained over 22% of total THC,” per the complaint.
The safety testing allegedly showed E. coli. In addition, the complaint says it showed yeast and mold “at levels too numerous to count.”
“Defendants’ conduct not only breached the Agreement but also exposed consumers to unsafe products falsely associated with Plaintiff and the Lil Baby brand,” reads the suit.
The WHAM-branded products still appear to be available on the Bay Smokes website, although a cease-and-desist request was issued in February of 2025. The Holding Company claims that rather than complying, Bay Smokes have “ramped up” their advertising.
The Holding Company seeks an end to Bay Smokes using Lil Baby’s name, image and likeness in alignment with the brand, a seizure and destruction of currently available products, and unspecified damages.
