GAINERS: Global Hemp Group (OTC:GBHPF) shares closed up 215.32% at $0.04 Leafbuyer Techs (OTC:LBUY) shares closed up 25.00% at $0.03 Kaya Holdings (OTC:KAYS) shares closed up 11.41% at $0.04 Cara Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CARA) shares closed up 10.93% at $5.10 SOL Glb Inv (OTC:SOLCF) shares closed up 9.39% at $0.05 Village Farms Intl (NASDAQ:VFF) shares closed up 6.65% at $0.61 4Front Ventures (OTC:FFNTF) shares closed up 6.06% at $0.01 EnWave (OTC:NWVCF) ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

“We’ve accepted mommy-wine culture; why can’t we do the same with cannabis?” says Rosie Mattio, the woman behind North America's largest cannabis PR firm. “As a high-functioning entrepreneur and mom to four daughters, I [proudly show up at my daughters’ school] in a weed T-shirt because it's time we challenge outdated stereotypes about who uses cannabis.” Rosie's unapologetic approach to normalizing cannabis extends far beyond her personal life. As the founder of MATTIO Communications, she has spent the last decade transforming the cannabis industry's public image, turning fringe conversations into mainstream media coverage. When she first started in 2014, cannabis was burdened by stigma, and “there were very few reporters covering this space… mainstream and lifestyle media were not reporting on cannabis at all. I had to work tirelessly for years to educate them about the industry,” she says. Rosie’s early work reflects her ability to see opportunity where others saw barriers. Cannabis was still largely misunderstood, and few could have predicted the booming market it would become today. Drawing on her background in consumer packaged goods (CPG) PR, she recognized that the industry needed a champion to push it into the mainstream – and she was ready to be that trailblazer. The global legal cannabis market is expected to reach $102.2 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.7%. In the U.S. alone, the cannabis market is projected to grow from $33.84 billion in 2024 to $69.25 billion by 2029. These numbers were unimaginable when Rosie first entered the industry, but they reflect the massive potential she saw early on. ‘We Had To Fly Reporters To California’ In the beginning, the challenges were immense. Rosie wasn’t just working against an uninformed public, she was also battling a restrictive legal landscape. Traditional PR methods weren’t available: sending product samples across state lines was illegal – and still is, and it was nearly impossible to convince skeptical reporters to write about a product they hadn’t experienced firsthand. But Rosie was resourceful and creative. One of her go-to strategies involved organizing media tours: “We had to fly reporters to California to show them what was happening in the industry, through farm tours, meetings, etc. For instance, I hosted a media tour for Canndescent in 2016, and it wasn’t until 2018 that the first mainstream story was written about them in Vogue.” Also read: Gary Payton Wants You To Rethink Cannabis: 'It's About Mental Health… It Brought My Mom Back In Her Final Days' Rosie approached public relations with a dual focus: education and advocacy. She worked to shift perspectives, challenge stereotypes and build trust with both the media and the general public. This was a long game, but Rosie had the determination to see it through. Gradually, her efforts began to pay off, and cannabis started appearing in mainstream media. “While we value the cannabis trade publications, which play an important role in the industry, we also worked hard to destigmatize cannabis and ensure that the news was picked up by mainstream media,” Rosie says. Breaking Into The Mainstream: When Efforts Garner Results Rosie’s efforts to bring cannabis into the mainstream weren’t just about landing stories in lifestyle publications, they were about positioning cannabis as part of everyday life. In the early days, getting cannabis products included in general gift guides, highlighting them as legitimate lifestyle choices, was a major milestone. A collaboration between Green Thumb Industries (OTC: ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

“My mom was dying from cancer and I wanted her off all the medications that were basically killing her,” says Gary Payton, recalling the deeply personal journey that brought him to cannabis. “I wanted her to live and she wasn’t responding to the things that I was doing. So I tried cannabis, and it brought her back. In those last days, she was able to talk, laugh, smile. I wanted to remember my mom that way,” he shares. Still connected to basketball—coaching, mentoring and practicing daily—Payton has now expanded his focus to a new passion: promoting cannabis for wellness. His latest venture, Greater Purpose, launched in partnership with Green Label Rx, debuted in 2024 and represents his broader mission to make cannabis accessible as a natural alternative for pain relief and recovery. While Payton already has a globally recognized cannabis strain named after him, his relationship with the plant remains practical. “I never smoked weed. I don’t do it now,” he says. “It wasn’t for me. But I’ve seen what it can do for people, and that’s why I believe in it,” he adds, clarifying that his interest lies in cannabis’s therapeutic potential rather than recreational use. However, there are two people who could make him reconsider his stance on smoking weed: “Only two people, I would probably smoke a joint with right now: Bob Marley and my mom,” he says with a smile. For Payton, both figures symbolize a connection to cannabis rooted in peace, healing and memory—a poignant reflection on how cannabis can transcend simple use and take on a more profound meaning. ‘If You Can Get Up And Move Around, That Changes Everything’ At the heart of Greater Purpose is a commitment to wellness, especially for athletes and those who live active lives. Payton has witnessed firsthand the relentless toll that sports can take on the body, often leaving players in pain long after their careers end. “I see guys like Earl Campbell who can’t walk, who can’t get up. And I want to help,” Payton says, emphasizing the motivation behind his wellness line. The brand’s initial products—balms and salves—are crafted specifically to address chronic muscle pain and inflammation, common afflictions for anyone who’s put their body through rigorous physical demands. Greater Purpose by Gary Payton - Courtesy of Green Label Rx “Some people can’t even walk a golf course,” he continues. “I want them to feel good, get up, and move around. When you wake up feeling bad, what does it do? It brings your whole mentality and spirit down. But if you can get up and move around, that changes everything.” For Payton, the link between physical health and mental resilience is clear. His products are designed to support that balance, helping others find a path to both physical recovery and a renewed outlook on life. A Family Matter Jason McKnight, CEO and founder of Green Label Rx, shares Payton’s commitment to wellness. The partnership with Payton is deeply personal for McKnight, who has known the basketball legend for years. “Gary’s like family. We’ve been working together for a while, and this collaboration felt natural,” McKnight explains. Also read: Ice-T's Latest Hustle? A Jersey City Cannabis Dispensary ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

GAINERS: Flower One Hldgs (OTC:FLOOF) shares closed up 900.00% at $1e-05 cbdMD (AMEX:YCBD) shares closed up 45.22% at $0.33 CLS Holdings USA (OTC:CLSH) shares closed up 26.09% at $0.03 Global Compliance (OTC:FUAPF) shares closed up 20.00% at $0.00 Canopy Gwth (NASDAQ:CGC) shares closed up 19.76% at $1.02 Blueberries Medical (OTC:BBRRF) shares closed up 19.34% at $0.01 Cannabix Technologies (OTC:BLOZF) shares closed up 16.29% at $0.44 Cara Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CARA) ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

Europe’s largest cannabis B2B event is returning to Berlin in April 2025 as the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) sets the stage for a landmark year in Germany’s rapidly evolving legal cannabis industry. Scheduled for April 29-30 at the Estrel Berlin Hotel, ICBC Berlin 2025 is expected to draw over 5,000 cannabis professionals from more than 80 countries, representing every major segment of the global cannabis supply chain. Germany, now emerging as the most important cannabis market in Europe, has entered a transformative era. The country’s new CanG law, which came into effect on April 1, 2024, has already fueled exponential growth in medical cannabis prescriptions. Industry analysts estimate a tenfold increase in patient numbers over the past year. According to a Bloomwell Group report, prescriptions for medical cannabis grew by 1,000% between March and December 2024. The removal of cannabis from Germany’s Narcotics List has been central to this surge, streamlining the prescribing process and boosting domestic production. While Germany's medical cannabis market was already Europe's largest before the reform, ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

The Bob Fireman Award for Entrepreneurship will once again take center stage at the 2025 Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, which is taking place June 8-10 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile. Nominations are now officially open, with the winner to be announced during the event. The deadline to submit nominations is May 1st, 2025. You can nominate your favorite cannabis leader here. What’s The Bob Fireman Award? This award was created to honor the legacy of Robert "Bob" Fireman, the late co-founder and CEO of MariMed, who passed away in December 2022. A trailblazer in the legal cannabis industry, Fireman entered the space in 2008 alongside his best friend and current MariMed CEO, Jon Levine. Together, they built a company rooted in trust, compassion and a belief in the power of cannabis to improve lives. Each year, the Bob Fireman Award ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

When then GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump ran against his Democrat and pro-weed rival Kamala Harris, he said he supported rescheduling cannabis. While some considered his comments purely campaign talk, it seems clear the president is not in a hurry to make any significant changes to cannabis policy. How Do We Know That? A White House official told CNN in a report published on Tuesday that "no action is being considered at this time" as far as marijuana policy is concerned. The outlet also pointed out that talks about cannabis reform stalled well before the White House discussed the confirmation of Attorney General Pam Bondi, who now oversees the DEA as head of the Department ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

For better or for worse, Q1 of 2025 has been an active period for cannabis legislation in Georgia. After years on the backburner, cannabis has finally become a focal point for Georgia lawmakers. Early last month, the Georgia Senate passed three bills effecting Georgians' access to hemp and medical cannabis prior to Georgia's 2025 crossover day, which is the deadline for legislation to pass out of at least one chamber to remain alive in the legislative session set to end on April 4, 2025. Two of these bills, Senate Bill 254 and Senate Bill 33, are aimed at restricting access to recreational hemp products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient found in the cannabis plant, responsible for producing the "high effect" — while, the third bill, Senate Bill 220, would expand access to medical patients seeking treatment through Georgia's "Low THC Oil Registry." This registry allows physicians to certify and manage patients who have a "qualifying condition" to obtain Low THC Oil legally.  Starting with the first two pieces of legislation, SB 254 and SB ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

Jones Soda Co. (OTC:JSDA) on Tuesday reported fourth-quarter 2024 earnings. Revenue in the quarter was $2.8 million, compared with $3.5 million a year earlier, primarily attributable to reduced sales volumes driven by a transition to a new distributor in Canada and the loss of a discount retail customer in the U.S. during the previous quarter. The company’s beverages segment, which includes craft soda, HD9, Pop Jones, and Fiesta Jones brands, generated approximately $2.6 million in revenue, down from approximately $3.1 million a year ago. The company’s Cannabis ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

President Donald Trump appointed journalist Sara Carter as the next director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), or the “drug czar,” reported Fox News, quoting the president's comments on social media. "It is my great honor to announce Sara Carter as our next Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Sara is an Award Winning Journalist, who has been on the front lines of this International Fight for decades," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "From Afghanistan to our Border, Sarah's relentless pursuit of Justice, especially in tackling the Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis, has exposed ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

The cannabis industry is grappling with a wave of financial distress as multiple publicly traded companies defaulted on key real estate obligations this past week. Gold Flora (OTC:GRAM), 4Front Ventures (OTC:FFNTF) and TILT Holdings (OTC:TLLTF), three major players in the cannabis sector, were all declared in default on leases held by cannabis-focused real estate investment trust (REIT) Innovative Industrial Properties (NYSE:IIPR). The developments highlight the mounting pressure on operators navigating a capital-starved environment, high taxation and an oversaturated market. Gold Flora's Collapse: A Long Time Coming On March 27, 2025, Gold Flora filed for voluntary receivership. IIPR subsequently declared Gold Flora in default of three leases, with a total invested value of approximately $117 million and an embedded cost of around $254 per square foot. Gold Flora's financial struggles were not unexpected. According to a recent Viridian Capital Advisors analysis, the company had been hovering around a 5x liabilities-to-market cap ratio since late 2022—an early warning sign of distress. It officially crossed the critical 10x threshold in October 2024, a point at which Viridian noted that companies typically spiral into deeper financial ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

GAINERS: Belgravia Hartford Cap (OTC:BLGVF) shares closed up 31.92% at $0.03 Affinor Growers (OTC:RSSFF) shares closed up 31.58% at $0.05 Pharmadrug (OTC:LMLLF) shares closed up 27.80% at $0.01 Rocky Mountain High (OTC:RMHB) shares closed up 25.00% at $0.01 Blueberries Medical (OTC:BBRRF) shares closed up 23.97% at $0.01 CNBX Pharmaceuticals (OTC:CNBX) shares closed up 21.38% at $0.01 Kaya Holdings (OTC:KAYS) shares closed up 14.29% at $0.04 Leafbuyer Techs (OTC:LBUY) shares closed up 11.11% at $0.02 Target Group (OTC:CBDY) shares closed up 7.48% at $0.00 Cara Therapeutics (NASDAQ:Full story available on Benzinga.com

Dasheeda Dawson, New York City's first “Cannabis Czar,” has stepped down from her role as founding executive director of Cannabis NYC. Announcing her departure on LinkedIn, Dawson reflected on the strides made under her leadership and signaled her intent to expand her influence on state and federal cannabis policy. Dawson, who took the helm of Cannabis NYC in October 2022, played a pivotal role in shaping the city's approach to cannabis legalization. “Transitioning to the next phase in my career, I am leaving Cannabis NYC poised for continued success under its future leadership,” she stated. “My focus now shifts towards elevating my impact and influence within the cannabis industry on a broader scale, both at state and federal levels.” Legacy Of Groundbreaking Initiatives During her tenure, Dawson spearheaded several major initiatives to foster an equitable and sustainable cannabis market in ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

GAINERS: 1933 Industries (OTC:TGIFF) shares closed up 23.71% at $0.00 Zoned Properties (OTC:ZDPY) shares closed up 15.37% at $0.45 Blueberries Medical (OTC:BBRRF) shares closed up 8.96% at $0.01 Cara Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CARA) shares closed up 3.53% at $5.15 LOSERS: Pharmadrug (OTC:LMLLF) shares closed down 24.77% at $0.01 Affinor Growers (OTC:RSSFF) shares closed down 20.83% at $0.04 SOL Glb Inv (OTC:SOLCF) shares closed down 16.50% at $0.06 4Front Ventures (OTC:FFNTF) shares closed down 13.92% at $0.01 Rocky Mountain High (OTC:RMHB) shares closed down 12.00% at $0.00 CNBX Pharmaceuticals (OTC:CNBX) ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled "Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful" on Friday. In so doing, Trump established a task force to revitalize the nation's capital, which included a fact sheet that listed cannabis decriminalization as a failed policy that “opened the door to disorder.” The "D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force" will comprise members from various government agencies that will “Surge law enforcement officers in public areas and strictly enforce quality-of-life laws in public areas like drug use, unpermitted demonstrations, vandalism, and public intoxication.” To that end, per the President's order, a lengthy list of federal agencies will collaborate with "local law ...Full story available on Benzinga.com