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- Trump Prosecutor Targets DC Dispensaries, Newsom Tax Hike Sparks Outrage, UN Chief Calls Drug Prohibition A ‘Failure’
Trump Prosecutor Targets DC Dispensaries, Newsom Tax Hike Sparks Outrage, UN Chief Calls Drug Prohibition A ‘Failure’
Plus, the latest in cannabis news.
Happy Cinco de Mayo Benzinga Cannabis friends and family! It’s Maureen here, your go-to guide through the winding world of weed, breaking down what’s hot, what’s wacky and what’s raising eyebrows in cannabis news.
Today’s roundup is a wild mix: California just slapped its legal market with a tax hike so big it might as well come with a warning label, D.C. is cracking down hard on gifting shops (goodbye, free weed with your socks 🧦), and Pennsylvania says it's time to go green, officially. We’ve also got THC drinks, a Cinco de Mayo strain packing a Tyson-level punch, and a TikTok science queen dropping knowledge in book form. Oh, and a U.N. official just said drug prohibition is failing the planet. No big deal.
Let’s get into it — the ganja, the drama, the science and the reform. 💨
In today's issue:
🔥 POLITICS & POLICY
California just officially did the one thing the legal market begged them not to do — raise taxes. Governor Gavin Newsom’s new move bumps the cannabis excise tax from 15% to a whopping 19%, starting July 1. That’s a 26% increase, and it’s hitting at a time when the legal industry is barely hanging on.
Why the hike? Ironically, it's because revenue from legal weed is falling short… so the solution is to make it more expensive? Jerred Kiloh, president of the United Cannabis Business Association, said what most of us are thinking: this will make it even harder for legal shops to compete with the illicit market.
It’s a new era in Washington, D.C., and the days of “buy a T-shirt, get some weed” are numbered. City officials are cracking down on the gray market, shutting down gifting shops that have long skirted cannabis sales laws.
Licensed dispensaries have been begging for this, claiming the rogue retailers are undermining public health and economic viability. Officials said some untested products were found to be laced with amphetamines — yikes.
There are still 20–30 illegal operators left, but the crackdown is real, and licensed shops — now close to 60 strong — are finally getting backup.
And if the local crackdowns weren’t enough, Trump’s pick for interim U.S. Attorney, Ed Martin, is bringing federal heat to the nation’s capital. He fired off a warning letter to a medical marijuana dispensary, claiming it’s breaking federal law — even though it’s fully licensed in D.C.
Martin’s letter is more than just a flex. It signals a potential shift back to federal enforcement, at least in D.C., and it’s rattling nerves. This is the same guy who sent legal threats to Wikipedia and praised the Jan. 6 Capitol rioters — so, yeah, Martin has some radical plans.
Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, Democrats Rick Krajewski and Dan Frankel are rolling out the green carpet. Their new adult-use legalization bill aims to create a sustainable market, repair harm from prohibition, and (yes!) generate more than half a billion in annual revenue.
Krajewski says: “We have listened carefully to public health experts, criminal justice reformers, small business advocates and community leaders.” Now, the bill heads to the House Health Committee, chaired by Frankel.
🌎 GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, didn’t mince words at a global harm reduction summit: drug prohibition is failing vulnerable communities around the world.
Türk said we need to stop the “scapegoating” and shift to public health-focused, evidence-based drug policies. “Instead of punitive measures, we need gender-sensitive and evidence-based drug policies, grounded in public health.”
It’s a bold message from the top that could influence reform on a global scale. 🌍
⚖️ LEGAL BATTLES
Cannabis companies in New Mexico are fighting back after U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized state-legal weed. They’ve filed suit, arguing the feds are cherry-picking which states to mess with and calling CBP’s position “a study in contradictions.”
While CBP says it’s simply following federal law, the plaintiffs point out that similar seizures aren’t happening in California or Arizona. The case could become a bellwether for how cannabis and federal power clash at the borders — both literally and legally.
📚 CULTURE & EDUCATION
TikTok science educator and cannabis researcher Dr. Riley Kirk (aka @cannabichem) is stepping into the publishing world with her new book, Reefer Wellness, hitting shelves in June.
The book is all about demystifying the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and empowering consumers with science-backed info. It’s not about getting high — it’s about understanding how cannabis interacts with your body, your brain, and your health.
Perfect for the canna-curious and seasoned stoners alike. 🧠💚
🎉 LIFESTYLE
Looking to get respectfully stoned this Cinco de Mayo? asks NYC-based Silly Nice. If so, the weed company has you covered with its 47.75% THC Diamond-Frosted & Live Resin Infused Flower.
They start with Papaya Wine — a tropical hybrid strain — and amp it up with live resin and a dusting of Diamond Powder. It’s not for newbies, but if you want that rich terpene flavor and galaxy-brain-level potency, this is your flower. 🪐🔥
You can now sip your weed — but the Wall Street Journal says you should read the label twice. These hemp-derived THC beverages are showing up everywhere, even in states where pot isn’t legal, thanks to a Farm Bill loophole.
But don’t let the fizzy can fool you. These drinks can pack a punch, and because they’re metabolized faster than edibles, they might hit you harder than expected. Some even have multiple servings per can, so sip slowly.
That’s a wrap for today’s Cannabis Daily. From policy moves and enforcement shakeups to cultural moments and science-backed education, it’s clear the cannabis world is anything but predictable. Stay safe, stay curious and we’ll see you back here on Tuesday. 🌬️
💌 Got tips or stories? Hit me up. 🗞️ For more, keep following Benzinga Cannabis.
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