Vegas Casinos Could Allow Cannabis, Weed Helps Sleep Apnea, Lost Suitcase Full of Pot

Hey Benzinga Cannabis friends, it’s Maureen Meehan here with your go-to roundup of the day’s weed news. Today we’re rolling the dice in Vegas where public support is high (pun very intended) for weed-friendly casinos, diving into Germany’s massive import numbers, Texas’ THC troubles, London’s mayor calling for reform, and some wild cannabis smuggling news you won’t believe. Oh, and did you know cannabis might help with sleep apnea? Yep, we’ve got science on that too.

In today's issue:

• 🎰 LAS VEGAS ODDS ON WEED

• ⚖️ POLICY + POLITICS

• 🌍 INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION

• 📉 BUSINESS + MARKETS

• 😴 HEALTH + WELLNESS

• 🛄 CRIME And OOPS!

🎲 Marijuana-Friendly Casinos? 70% Of Americans Say ‘You Bet’

A new survey out of the Cannabis Policy Institute at the University of Nevada Las Vegas shows a whopping 70% of Americans want cannabis allowed in casino resorts—whether through designated lounges or smoking areas. It's a fresh hit in the ongoing debate over Nevada’s strict separation of gaming and cannabis, which more and more insiders now say is outdated.

While only a third of survey participants admitted to toking up while gambling, support for legal consumption inside resorts is blazing. That could mean big wins ahead for several weed companies such as Planet 13 Holdings (OTCQX: PLNHF), Curaleaf Holdings (OTCQX: CURLF), Verano Holdings (OTCQX: VRNOF). Then there are the casino giants like MGM Resorts (NYSE: MGM), Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR), Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ: WYNN), Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS), and Red Rock Resorts (NASDAQ: RRR).

Could cannabis lounges drive up tourism and slot machine revenue? One thing’s clear: voters are ready to roll.

🧒 Nevada Bill Would Let Foster Parents With Past Cannabis Convictions Keep Caring

The Nevada Assembly and Senate just gave the green light to AB107, which would allow adults with old marijuana possession charges to be foster parents or work in foster homes. Sponsored by Assemblymember Tracy Brown-May (D), the bill passed 19-2 in the Senate and now awaits Governor Joe Lombardo’s signature.

The current law bans anyone with a controlled substance conviction—yep, even for cannabis—from foster care roles. But if AB107 becomes law, only recent convictions (within five years) or ones related to selling cannabis will be disqualifying.

Nevada voters said yes to cannabis back in 2016. Now, lawmakers are trying to make sure that yes actually means yes.

🇬🇧 London’s Mayor Backs Decriminalization

Mayor Sadiq Khan is making waves across the pond with his support for the partial decriminalization of cannabis possession. Citing racial disparities in policing and the social harm of criminalization, Khan said current penalties "cannot be justified given [cannabis'] relative harm and people’s experience of the justice system."

Khan has long pushed for a “fresh thinking” approach to drug policy. This new support adds pressure on national leaders to revisit the UK's stance on cannabis.

🤠 Texas THC Showdown: Will Abbott Pull The Plug?

Texans are pleading with Governor Greg Abbott to veto Senate Bill 3, which would outlaw any cannabinoid other than CBD or CBG—including all the hemp-derived THC products currently keeping the billion-dollar Texas hemp market alive.

The proposed ban threatens thousands of small businesses and an estimated $45 million in real estate impact in San Antonio alone. One parent called it "dangerously wrong."

🇩🇪 Germany Becomes World’s Largest Cannabis Importer

Germany imported a record 37.2 tons of medical cannabis in Q1 2025—4.6x more than the same time last year—making it the largest legal importer on Earth. The winners? Canadian producers.

📦 Who’s cashing in:

• Tilray Brands (NASDAQ: TLRY): $13.9M in international medical sales

• Aurora Cannabis (NASDAQ: ACB): C$26.3M to Europe

• Village Farms (NASDAQ: VFF): 3.8x YoY increase

• Organigram Holdings (NASDAQ: OGI): 80% YoY export growth

• Avant Brands (OTC: AVTBF): C$4.7M in Q1 exports

• Curaleaf Holdings (OTC: CURLF): Leveraging Four20 Pharma to dominate EU supply chains

🇵🇹 Portugal is also key, often re-exporting Canadian weed processed under EU-GMP standards.

💼 IM Cannabis Says Bye to CSE

IM Cannabis Corp. (NASDAQ: IMCC) plans to voluntarily delist from the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) by June 2. Why? The company says maintaining dual listings is expensive, inefficient, and unnecessary.

The move could streamline trading and boost liquidity on NASDAQ, where IMCC shares will continue to trade.

💤 Get Stoned, Snore Less: Cannabis & Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea affects millions and can seriously harm your health. But a new survey by Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management found that cannabis helped nearly 60% of sleep apnea patients improve their sleep quality by at least 30%.

Research analyst Grace Christensen explained: “Cannabinoids are hypothesized to reduce these apneas or the collapse of the airway by suppressing vagal nerve activity.

🧳 Lost Luggage? Try $120K In Cannabis

A woman traveling to Scotland reported her luggage lost. Surprise—it was full of cannabis. Shauna Eburne, 54, flew from Toronto to Glasgow via Iceland and forgot her suitcase. By the time she returned, police had already discovered £89,000 ($120K USD) worth of cannabis stuffed inside.

Eburne claimed she “had no idea” what was in the bag. The court wasn’t convinced. She pleaded guilty to possession and supply of a controlled drug.

Let’s light it up again tomorrow, Benzinga Cannabis crew. Until then, keep it cool and compliant. 💚 Maureen

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