Hey Benzinga cannabis community, Maureen Meehan here with your daily guide to the weird, wild, and wonderfully green world of cannabis. Today we’ve got big bucks flowing into legalization efforts, a European seed invasion, a New Jersey dispensary doing things differently, and a Hollywood stoner who maybe should have been high at the White House. It’s a jam-packed day with politics, plants, products, and a sprinkle of pop culture.

Let’s get into it. 👇

In today's issue:

• 💰 Politics & Policy

• 🌱 Industry Moves

• 🧪 Market Updates

• 💚 Culture, Community & Edibles

• 🗣️ People & Pop Culture

🗳️ Trulieve Drops $20M To Push Florida Legalization—Again

Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (OTC: TCNNF) is not backing down from the battle for Florida. The MSO has contributed another $19.6 million this year to the Smart & Safe Florida committee, gunning to get adult-use cannabis on the 2026 ballot.

This comes after dropping $150 million on the last round, which fell just shy of the 60% voter threshold needed for a constitutional amendment. Total spend so far? Nearly $164 million. That’s not a campaign—it’s a crusade.

🚫 Montana Passes THC Zero-Tolerance Bill For Drivers Under 21

Lawmakers in Montana just passed a bill that would make it illegal for anyone under 21 to have any trace of THC in their system while driving—even medical patients.

Advocates are urging Governor Greg Gianforte to veto, warning that “zero tolerance” could mean jail time for minors who aren’t impaired but had a toke last weekend. Critics argue it’s a policy in search of a problem—and risks criminalizing sober teens.

🌍 Fast Buds Is Quietly Flooding The U.S. With Millions Of Cannabis Seeds

While U.S. companies are battling banking woes, Fast Buds, a cannabis genetics brand out of Spain, is shipping over one million seeds annually to the States.

"The United States is our second-largest market, contributing around 30% of our global sales… Demand is spread coast to coast. Top states [include]: Ohio, Minnesota, Illinois, Virginia and New York," Eugene Boukreev, head of marketing at Fast Buds, told Benzinga’s Javier Hasse. "What sets the U.S. apart isn't just its size, but its remarkable consistency."

🍻 Hemp Beverages Are Beating Craft Beer On Tariffs

Trump-era tariffs may sting for vapes and packaging, but hemp drinks are coming out on top. A new report by Whitney Economics shows that despite aluminum cost bumps, hemp beverages dodge the worst of the tariffs—and ride high on growing demand.

Even as states toy with bans on intoxicating hemp, some are making exceptions for drinks. Distributors are loving the margins, and consumers are sipping their way to buzzier afternoons.

🌾 Grown Rogue Pulls $1.8M In Early NJ Revenue

Grown Rogue International Inc. (CSE: GRIN) (OTC: GRUSF) is starting strong in New Jersey. The craft cannabis co reported $1.8 million in Q1 revenue from its affiliate, ABCO Garden State LLC, with gross margins as high as 60%.

With yields over 60 grams per square foot, CEO Obie Strickler said, “I’m excited by the initial progress we have seen in New Jersey.” Their flower and pre-rolls are already in over half of the state’s dispensaries. Not bad for the new kid in the Garden State.

🌿 Ohio Rakes In $656M In Cannabis Sales Since Legalization

Just eight months into legal adult-use, Ohio has sold a whopping $656.4 million worth of cannabis. That breaks down to $434.2M in rec sales and $222.2M in medical.

March alone pulled in over $79 million, showing that Ohioans are not shy about sparking up—especially as rec now makes up two-thirds of all legal cannabis sales in the state.

✨ Woman-Owned Dispensary Sparkology Brings Wellness Vibes To NJ

Opening just in time for 4/20, Sparkology is a woman-owned dispensary focused on education, wellness, and intentional highs. Co-founder Neepa Marfatia says the goal is “a path to knowledge,” and her budtenders are trained to meet folks where they are—no dumb questions, just good vibes and even better flower.

Located in Franklin Park, NJ, Sparkology will kick things off with their 420 Sparkfest celebration. Expect a new kind of dispensary experience—one built around community.

📚 Vanessa Lavorato’s Cookbook Wants You To Eat Weed—But Do It Right

Dubbed L.A.’s “Martha Stewart of Weed,” Vanessa Lavorato is here to make your edibles fun and fail-safe. Her new cookbook, How to Eat Weed and Have a Good Time, is exactly what it sounds like.

Lavorato’s advice? “The biggest rookie mistake is dumping in too much weed.” Recipes range from queso to cookies, and include four foundational infusions. Just in time for your 4/20 kitchen adventure.

🎤 Bill Maher Says He Wasn’t High During Dinner With Trump—But Wishes He Was

Comedian Bill Maher says he had dinner with Donald Trump and Kid Rock at the White House... sober. “You can hate me for it, but I’m not a liar. Trump was gracious and measured,” Maher said on his HBO show.

Then he paused, smiled, and added, “Damn, missed opportunity.”

If you ever needed proof that reality is stranger than weed fiction—this is it.

That’s a wrap for today. Let’s keep fighting for progress, celebrating the wins, and laughing at the madness in between. Catch you tomorrow for the next Cannabis Daily.

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