A newly filed lawsuit claims cannabis retailer Surterra Wellness — formerly a major multistate operator — abandoned its leased corporate office space in Tampa while still owing nearly $1.3 million in unpaid and future rent.

The suit, filed this summer in Hillsborough County Court by landlord Taurus Investment Holdings, alleges that Surterra signed a seven-year lease for two suites at an office tower near the Tampa International Airport. The rent was scheduled to start at $29,362 per month and rise to $36,109.73 per month over time. (MJBizDaily)

But according to the complaint, Surterra — which rebranded to Parallel in 2019 — notified the landlord it would vacate as of September 1, 2024, even though the lease term runs until December 31, 2026. READ MORE: MJBizDaily

Taurus, which says it repossessed the space in May 2025, is seeking both the unpaid balance and a judicial declaration that Surterra and Parallel are the same legal entity — effectively blocking any attempt to avoid liability via corporate restructuring.

Surterra’s Rise — And Its Fall

At its peak, Surterra operated dozens of medical cannabis dispensaries across Florida and pursued multistate expansion. Under then-CEO William “Beau” Wrigley Jr. (yes — of the chewing-gum fortune), the company rebranded to Parallel in 2019, opened new retail banners, and attempted a public listing via SPAC financing.

But that ambition quickly unraveled. Wrigley stepped down in 2021 when the SPAC deal collapsed. Since then, Parallel/Surterra has faced mounting legal and financial challenges. In the Tampa lawsuit’s wake, landlords and creditors nationwide are lining up to reclaim unpaid rent and lease obligations.

In one example, a Pittsburgh-based landlord accused the company’s related retail brand of missing $5.8 million in rent payments. That litigation concluded in 2023 with the ordered dissolution of the tenant company.

The Tampa Lawsuit: What It Claims

Lease Timeline & Terms

• Lease Signing: Seven-year corporate lease, two suites, rent escalating from ~29,362 to ~36,109.73/month.
• Vacate Notice: Surterra allegedly provided notice of intent to vacate effective Sept 1, 2024, though lease ends December 2026.

Landlord’s Claims

• Back Rent + Future Obligations: Total claimed ~$1.3 million.
• Entity Continuity: Landlord asks court to confirm that Surterra Wellness and Parallel are the same — preventing any liability shield via corporate reshuffling.
• Possession Recovered: Taurus reports it repossessed the offices in May 2025.

Broader Pattern of Alleged Misconduct

The Tampa lease lawsuit is not isolated. Landlords in multiple states — especially associated with the company’s retail brand Goodblend — have filed claims for unpaid rent totaling millions of dollars.

What This Means for Surterra / Parallel — and for the Cannabis Industry

Legal and Credit Risk

If a court rules for Taurus — confirming entity continuity and awarding unpaid plus future rent — Surterra/Parallel could face serious financial consequences. Plus, such a decision would alert other landlords and creditors nationwide: a corporate name change won’t shield liability.

Regulatory & Business Fallout

Surterra once positioned itself as a major multistate operator. This lawsuit undermines that credibility. It may also impact licensing and compliance perceptions in states where the company operates — making regulators and partners wary.

Trust and Industry Stability

Cannabis remains a volatile industry. High-profile disputes like this one may reinforce negative stereotypes of financial instability — potentially slowing investment and raising insurance and lease costs for other operators.

Why the Lawsuit Matters Beyond Tampa

• Precedent for Lease Enforcement in Cannabis: Real-estate firms may grow wary of leasing to cannabis operators without stronger financial guarantees.
• Industry Consolidation Pressure: Smaller operators may face greater challenges obtaining tenancy, pushing toward vertically integrated mega-MSOs with stronger balance sheets.
• Regulatory Oversight: States evaluating licenses may view repeated landlord lawsuits as risk factors — potentially influencing renewal and expansion approvals.

What’s Next: March Court Date & Ongoing Scrutiny

The Hillsborough County Court docket currently shows a hearing scheduled for March 2026. Observers will track whether Surterra/Parallel attempts to settle or mount a defense — and whether the court accepts or rejects their corporate restructuring argument.

Meanwhile, landlords tied to Surterra’s legacy retail operations may continue to file claims across state lines — a cascade of litigation that could reshape how landlords handle lease agreements with cannabis businesses going forward.