Happy Monday, Investors! In honor of Presidents Day, did you know former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama have all admitted to using cannabis? So have VPs like Kamala Harris and Al Gore, not to mention former candidates such as Newt Gingrich, Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders.

But perhaps the most shocking intersection of the cannabis industry and the highest office (pun intended) dates back to the Founding Fathers. Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and George Washington all farmed hemp. Wish I could’ve invested in that company.

Backed by experts from NASA, Harvard and Stanford, a new project starts off in Oregon.

Plus, this influencer is determined to shake up the “weed user” image, NASA and the Ivy League join forces for psychedelic therapy and more.

And, check out the newest episode of Cannabis Insider, also available on Apple and Spotify.*

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TOP STORY

Meet Oregon's Legal Psilocybin Retreats Powered By NASA And Ivy League Talent

Briefly: Talent trained by Stanford, Harvard and NASA want to bring about a new era of legal psychedelic therapies and experiences.

What Happened: Odyssey hosted the first legal psilocybin retreat in U.S. history in 2023, offering services compliant with Oregon’s innovative psilocybin law.

How It Works: 4-day group retreats and private sessions are tailored for individuals seeking personal and mental health breakthroughs. Odyssey’s services are designed to address a wide array of needs, ranging from personal growth to combating mental health issues such as depression and PTSD.

Why It Matters: The initiative underscores the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, supported by studies suggesting communal experiences may amplify its benefits.

Quoted: “The communal aspect of our retreats is designed to enhance the therapeutic benefits,” Charalambides added, highlighting the intersection of collective experience and healing.

Click here to read more

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Join The Benzinga Cannabis Market Spotlight

This premier event, focused on high-impact networking, offers a chance to connect and create lasting business relationships.

Engage with top industry figures in structured sessions and casual mixers, turning each interaction into a potential business breakthrough.

It’s more than networking: it’s where the future of cannabis in California (and beyond) is shaped. Be part of the defining conversation.

Click here to join us!

FIVE ZINGERS

What Happens In Vegas: The first legal weed lounge in Nevada is now open, freeing adults from consumption stigma.

Cramped Style: Why you get hand cramps when taking psychedelics and how to prevent them.

#Goals: A journey from finance bro to premium cannabis operator.

Northern Lights: Analysts say now's the time to buy Aurora Cannabis. Find out why.

Behind The Curtain: Tomorrow’s webinar gives a look at the industry's $700M potential tax break amid a 70% drop in capital raises. Sign up here.

ONE FOR THE ROAD

Village Farms International Sustains High Cannabis EBITDA Margins, Setting Stage For Growth

Briefly: With the cannabis sector experiencing dynamic shifts, Village Farms is emerging as a key player, poised for significant growth.

So Basically: That’s per senior analyst Pablo Zuanic of Zuanic & Associates. His latest report highlights pivotal catalysts propelling Village Farms forward.

So What? Zuanic wrote, "From a stock perspective, we continue to believe the stock is attractively valued at 0.5x EV/current sales on the aggregate, and with the cannabis unit valued at 3.3x EBITDA our CY25 estimates.”

What Next: Zuanic called out a few other key players in the cannabis sector.

Find out who here

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