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- 4/20 Countdown: Tilray’s Split Move, GOP Surprises, CEO Mike Tyson and Weedmaps Goes Streetwear
4/20 Countdown: Tilray’s Split Move, GOP Surprises, CEO Mike Tyson and Weedmaps Goes Streetwear
Plus, GOP voters more supportive of legal weed?
Hey Benzinga Cannabis family, Maureen Meehan here, and I'm back with a full plate of fresh cannabis headlines you’ll want to sink your teeth into before the 4/20 weekend. From Tilray’s stock shake-up plan to Weedmaps lighting up the culture with a sneaker collab, today’s newsletter is equal parts finance, policy, and good old-fashioned 4/20 fun.
Heads up: There will be no newsletter on Friday due to the long Easter weekend, so soak up today’s updates while you prep for the holidaze. 🌿👟📊🎶
In today's issue:
💰 Market Moves & Money Matters
Tilray Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) (TSX: TLRY) is trying to turn the tide on its stock performance with a proposed reverse stock split ranging from 1-for-10 to 1-for-20. The company has almost a billion shares outstanding, and that number’s jumped over 18% in the past year.
CEO Irwin D. Simon said this move will align Tilray with peers, maintain Nasdaq listing compliance, and cut costs by over $1 million annually. Simon noted, “The fundamentals of our company remain intact... and we are confident that we have the right strategy and team to deliver long-term value for our shareholder base.”
This reverse split would not reduce the number of authorized shares, and shareholders will get to vote at a Special Meeting coming up.
Safe Harbor Financial (NASDAQ: SHFS) and FundCanna are teaming up to create a smoother ride for cannabis operators navigating the murky waters of finance.
Their new referral agreement sets up a pipeline: Safe Harbor sends clients needing loans to FundCanna, and FundCanna directs borrowers needing banking services back to Safe Harbor. Clean, compliant, and cooperative.
Newly appointed Safe Harbor CEO Terry Mendez called it “a practical, scalable solution that puts the financial needs of cannabis operators first.” A refreshing move in an industry still banking in the shadows.
Mike Tyson, the legendary boxer turned cannabis entrepreneur, is stepping into a new role as CEO of Carma HoldCo, the parent company behind TYSON 2.0, Ric Flair Drip, and Wooooo! Energy and Evol by Future. The move is effective immediately.
Carma, which has built its name on celebrity-driven lifestyle brands, now has Tyson steering the ship. But this isn’t a symbolic title or a marketing gimmick. It’s a personal evolution for the fighter who’s been part of the company’s DNA since day one.
“This isn’t just a title—it’s a responsibility I take seriously,” Tyson said in a statement. “I’ve wanted to be more involved for a long time, and now is the right time to take that step.”
Jazz Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: JAZZ) might not scream “cannabis stock” at first glance, but don’t sleep on it. With its 2021 acquisition of GW Pharmaceuticals, Jazz now owns Epidiolex, the first FDA-approved, cannabis-derived drug.
Used to treat severe seizure disorders, Epidiolex could be the foundation for broader medical cannabis acceptance. According to Zacks, despite some bumps in its pipeline, Jazz’s strategic position and focus on FDA-approved cannabis medicine make it a “resilient player worth holding in 2025 and beyond.”
Ananda just made its U.S. debut, landing on the OTCQB market under ticker ANANF. No capital raise this round, just a strategic move to tap U.S. investors and boost liquidity. This is step three in a calculated U.S. push, following a tie-up with Viridian Capital Advisors and the hiring of Chris Tovey, the former Jazz and GW exec behind Epidiolex’s launch.
Meanwhile, Argent Bio struck a data-sharing deal with AusCann, and IMC is facing yet another Nasdaq delisting threat. It's a mixed bag of momentum, but one to watch closely.
🏛️ Politics & Public Policy
A 15% tax could soon hit all hemp-derived THC products in Florida, including fan favorite Delta-8. The House Budget Committee just greenlit HB 7027, which joins a companion bill in the Senate that already passed.
While the bills differ in some key details (like banning Delta-8), the tax signals a big shift in how the state plans to regulate and monetize hemp-based cannabinoids.
The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) in New York is rolling out an awareness campaign right before 4/20 with the catchy name “Higher Education.”
This isn’t your average PSA—there’s a full-on digital library, QR codes in high-traffic spots, and a focus on responsible, informed use.
Felicia Reid, OCM’s acting executive director, said, “The ‘Higher Education’ campaign is about empowering individuals with the facts—whether they’re brand new to cannabis or just unfamiliar with the laws.”
Smart timing, great name. 🍎🎓🔥
Surprising? Maybe. But Trump-aligned GOP pollsters just dropped data showing that Republicans are even more in favor of letting states legalize marijuana than the average voter.
Support is strong for rescheduling, SAFE Banking, and even uplisting cannabis stocks on U.S. exchanges. The memo sums it up:
“There is no significant political or demographic group that doesn’t believe cannabis should be legal for consenting adults.”
Translation: Cannabis reform could be a 2026 campaign crowd-pleaser, especially with younger, swingy voters.
🎉 4/20 Culture & Community
Weedmaps (NASDAQ: MAPS) is rolling out the green carpet for 4/20 in style. The tech company teamed up with custom sneaker legend CEEZE to drop the 420 1’s, a limited-edition sneaker inspired by the textures, colors, and culture of cannabis.
Only 420 pairs will be made, and each comes with Easter eggs like GPS coordinates tied to cannabis reform history. They’ve even got a custom insole art piece—a reinterpretation of Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam featuring a blunt. 🔥🎨👟
To top it off, they’re dropping a curated mixtape, making this a truly multi-sensory cannabis celebration.
That’s it for today, folks! No newsletter Friday, but we’ll be back with all the post-4/20 buzz on Monday. Stay lifted, informed and have a great 4/20 weekend!
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