Hey Benzinga Cannabis Community, It’s Maureen Meehan here, your friendly cannabis chronicler, with today’s Cannabis Daily. We start at Times Square then move to science-backed cancer-fighting cannabis research and on to regulatory pressure from unexpected corners (looking at you, alcohol industry). There’s a lot to light up your radar.

Let’s dig into the biggest stories from the cannabis world, starting with a 145-year-old brand that just made its loudest statement yet.

In today's issue:

• 🎉 Culture + Community

• 🧪 Health + Research

• 🏛️ Policy + Politics

• 💰 Business + Economy

🚀 145 Years Later, Zig-Zag Gets Loud About Weed With Times Square Takeover

Zig-Zag just dropped the mic—and the weed. As the presenting sponsor of Cannabis Now’s third annual 4/20 Countdown, the legendary rolling paper company staged a full-blown takeover of Times Square. This wasn’t your grandpa’s Zig-Zag. With Fab 5 Freddy puffing under the digital glow of One Times Square, this was a heady blend of history, hype, and high-quality cannabis culture, writes Benzinga’s Javier Hasse in this exclusive article.

The iconic brand activated a wave of billboards, premiered a new cannabis-centric product line, and turned the Charlie Fox dispensary into a 420 party you had to see to believe. This was Zig-Zag’s official break-up with its tobacco past—and the cannabis industry noticed.

🧬 Major Study Lifts Cannabis Cancer-Fighting Street Cred

One of the most comprehensive deep dives into cannabis and cancer just dropped—and it’s a game changer. Researchers from the Whole Health Oncology Institute and Chopra Foundation analyzed more than 10,000 peer-reviewed studies, and guess what?

Cannabis isn’t just riding good vibes—it’s got serious therapeutic weight behind it. The analysis found strong support for cannabis in treating cancer symptoms and even noted anti-carcinogenic potential. According to the authors, “support for medical cannabis is 31.38× stronger than opposition to it.”

Now that’s the kind of math we like.

📈 Legalizing Marijuana Led To An Increase In Use—But A Decrease In Problematic Misuse, American Medical Association Study Shows

A new AMA-published study following Canadian adults post-legalization reveals something surprising: while overall use of cannabis went up, problematic misuse went down.

That’s right—legalization didn’t lead to chaos, but rather, more balanced, conscious consumption. The study tracked over 1,400 people from 2018 to 2023, shedding light on how national legalization can shift not just access, but behavior too.

🧁 Teen Cannabis Use Rises In Canada After Edibles Are Legalized

Not all data from Canada was rosy, though. Since the introduction of cannabis edibles in 2019, teen use jumped 26%—with a whopping 43% rise in edible use specifically.

According to Dr. Hai Van Nguyen of Memorial University of Newfoundland, this is particularly worrisome given the “potential long-term adverse health effects” of early cannabis use. The report surveyed over 106,000 students, spotlighting a regulatory gray area around marketing and access.

🥃 Alcohol Industry Lobbies Congress To Regulate Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Products

The alcohol lobby is stepping into the cannabis ring. The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America recently met with lawmakers in D.C. pushing for stricter federal rules around hemp-derived cannabinoids, including:

• Banning synthetic THC

• Establishing national product testing & labeling rules

• Preserving state authority over retail sales

Ryan Mosses, CEO of Best Brands, said the aim is to ensure “responsible industry growth and consumer safety.” But many see this as big booze trying to pour cold water on cannabis’ growth.

💼 These Are The Cannabis Industry's Power Players, According To Forbes

Forbes’ Cannabis 42.0 list is out—and it’s packed with 42 of the most influential entrepreneurs, operators, and disruptors reshaping the cannabis game.

Unlike past lists, this one skips the suits from publicly traded companies and instead highlights the folks grinding it out at ground level. It’s a must-read if you want to know who’s actually building the future of this industry.

💸 Map Reveals How Much Money Each State Has Made From Legal Marijuana

Let’s talk numbers. Since 2014, legal weed has raked in over $20 billion in tax revenue across U.S. states—and $4 billion of that came in just 2023.

According to the Marijuana Policy Project, cannabis taxes have gone toward everything from education to infrastructure to social equity efforts. This is no longer just about legal highs—it's about long-term economic highs.

💚 That’s your wrap for today. Whether you’re lighting one up or simply leveling up your industry IQ, thanks for hanging with me. This newsletter is your daily smoke signal from the frontlines of cannabis culture, policy, science and business. Catch you tomorrow for another puff of perspective.

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