lastminute.com (OTC:LSMNF) Stock, Quote.Headers.trade-ideas

lastminute.com NV operates in the online travel and leisure industry. It offers online tools & technologies for search compare and booking flights, vacation packages, Car rentals, Lifestyle, hotel bookings, and other Ancillary Services. The group operates under several key brands, including lastminute.com, Bravofly, Rumbo, Volagratis, and Jetcost. The company offers services to customers through websites and mobile apps. Its business is spread across various geographical regions including France, the UK, Spain, Switzerland, and internationally. The company's segments include B2B which represents its Meta, Media, and Long-term partnerships (affiliations, white-label, gift cards, corporate rewards), and B2C segment represents its core business offerings, Cruise business, and others.

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lastminute.com NV

HUIZ

Trading Halt: Halted at 7:50:00 p.m. ET - Trading Halt: Halt News Pending

Golden Minerals Company ("Golden Minerals," "Golden" or the "Company") (TSX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AUMN#TSX">AUMN</a>) today announced that it has received notification from the NYSE American LLC (the "NYSE American" or the "Exchange") that the Exchange determined to commence proceedings to suspend and delist the Company's common stock as a result of its determination that the Company is no longer suitable for listing due to its non-compliance with Sections 1003(a)(i), 1003(a)(ii) and 1003(a)(iii) of the NYSE American Company Guide, which require the Company to report stockholders' equity of $6.0 million or more if the Company has reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in its five most recent fiscal years, as previously reported.
The Company anticipates that the Common Stock will begin trading on the OTC Pink Market under the symbol "AUMN" at the open of business on December 16, 2024. Shareholders do not need to take any action in connection with this transition. The Company's stock will continue to be traded first on the NYSE American and immediately thereafter on the OTC Pink Market, and investors should be able to trade shares through their existing brokerage accounts.

AUMN

TSX:AUMN

Golden Minerals Announces NYSE American Notice To Commence Delisting

Tenaris S.A. announced that the Brazilian Superior Court of Justice (SCJ) published today its unanimous&nbsp;decision to reject a motion of clarification filed by Tenaris's subsidiary Confab, together with Ternium's subsidiaries Ternium Investments and Ternium Argentina (all of which compose the T/T Group under the Usiminas shareholders agreement), that had sought to revert the June 18, 2024 SCJ decision ordering the T/T Group to pay Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional, or CSN, an indemnification in connection with their 2012 acquisition of a participation in Usiminas.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the SCJ unanimously resolved to modify the applicable monetary adjustment mechanism and to cap the applicable attorney's fees, thereby lowering the aggregate amount that would be payable by the T/T Group if CSN ultimately prevails in its claims. Assuming monetary adjustment through November 30, 2024, and BRL 5 million in attorney's fees, in each case as determined pursuant to the SCJ decision published today, the revised aggregate amount potentially payable by Confab would be of approximately BRL548 million (approximately $90 million).
Tenaris continues to believe that all of CSN's claims and allegations are unsupported&nbsp;and without merit, and that in connection with the Usiminas acquisition the T/T Group was not required either to launch a tender offer or to pay indemnification to CSN. Accordingly, Confab intends to continue to defend its rights vigorously and to file all available motions and appeals against the SCJ decisions that ordered an indemnification payment.

Legal

Tenaris Announces Brazilian Superior Court Rejects Motion To Reverse Ruling Ordering T/T Group To Pay CSN Indemnification Related To 2012 Usiminas Acquisition, Lowers Potential Liability To ~$90M; Tenaris Maintains Claims Are Without Merit And Will Continue To Vigorously Defend Against SCJ Decisions

Athira Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ATHA#NASDAQ">ATHA</a>), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing small molecules to restore neuronal health and slow neurodegeneration, today presented preclinical data highlighting target engagement and neuroprotective effects of ATH-1105 in human motor neurons at the Motor Neurone Disease Association's 35th International Symposium on ALS/MND, taking place Dec. 6-8, 2024, in Montreal, Canada.

Biotech

General

ATHA

Athira Pharma Presents Preclinical Data Highlighting Neuroprotective Effects Of ATH-1105 In Models Of ALS At Motor Neurone Disease Association's International Symposium On ALS/MND

<a href="https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/documents/indexnews/announcements/20241206-1475790/1475790_dec2024apowday.pdf" title="https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/documents/indexnews/announcements/20241206-1475790/1475790_dec2024apowday.pdf">https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/documents/indexnews/announcements/20241206-1475790/1475790_dec2024apowday.pdf</a>

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Terreno Realty Corp. And Champion Homes Inc. Will Replace Hudson Pacific Properties Inc. And REGENXBIO  Inc. In The S&P SmallCap 600, Respectively

Gov. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/andy-beshear">Andy Beshear</a>&#8216;s administration has refused to release the names of applicants for medical marijuana dispensary licenses in Kentucky's nine regions, despite <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42203777/kentucky-awards-first-medical-cannabis-dispensary-licenses">announcing the winners last month. </a>
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Office of Medical Cannabis denied a public records request from Kentucky Public Radio, citing the records as &#8220;preliminary&#8221; and exempt from disclosure, as<a href="https://www.lpm.org/news/2024-12-06/beshear-administration-wont-disclose-medical-marijuana-dispensary-applicants"> reported</a> by Louisville Public Media.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/24/11/41843261/kentucky-gov-beshear-the-jury-is-no-longer-out-kentuckians-want-medical-cannabis">Kentucky Gov. Beshear: &#8216;The Jury Is No Longer Out,&#8217; Kentuckians Want Medical Cannabis</a>
They stated that the list of applicants will remain confidential until after the final lottery for the last two regions on Dec. 16.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Concerns Over Fairness And Transparency</h3>
The decision follows concerns about out-of-state companies dominating Kentucky's marijuana licensing process.
One of the companies, Arkansas-based Dark Horse Cannabis, submitted over 100 applications in Kentucky and won multiple licenses in the October lottery, including four dispensary licenses in the November drawing.
While the state released the names of 36 dispensary license winners from the first nine regions, the full list of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/10/41413763/huge-interest-in-medical-cannabis-licenses-in-kentucky-nearly-5-000-applications-fees-announced">over 2,800 applicants </a>remains concealed. 
Critics worry that out-of-state companies are gaining a disproportionate share of licenses, which raises questions about fairness and transparency in the process.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Legal Challenge To Denial</h3>
Kentucky Public Radio's request for the full list of applicants was denied, and the station has now appealed the decision to the state's Office of the Attorney General. 
Michael Abate, an attorney representing Kentucky Public Radio and the Kentucky Press Association, criticized the administration's actions, saying the denial "makes absolutely no sense." 
He asked: "Why are they trying to delay disclosure until after all the lotteries are done? It suggests the cabinet just doesn&#8217;t want any scrutiny on its process. But obviously, this is an important process and the public has a right to know what&#8217;s going on."
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Complaints From Local Farmers</h3>
Local hemp farmers, shut out of the October lottery for cultivator licenses, are frustrated with the process.
They argue that large out-of-state companies are gaining an unfair advantage and pushing in-state applicants aside. Gov. Beshear, however, has dismissed these concerns. He stated that the companies tied to Dark Horse Cannabis "named different unaffiliated people as owners in their applications."
The governor did not comment on the investor presentation uncovered by Kentucky Public Radio, which suggested Dark Horse Cannabis could become the parent company of a "vertical" business structure in Kentucky, controlling cultivation, processing and dispensary operations. This ownership model is prohibited under Kentucky's medical cannabis regulations.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Final Lottery And Ongoing Scrutiny</h3>
The final lottery for dispensary licenses will take place on Dec. 16 for regions 1 and 2, which include Louisville and Lexington. 
About 1,200 applicants are competing for the remaining licenses and the results could shed more light on the role of out-of-state companies in Kentucky's cannabis industry.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/06/39488414/cannabis-guns-kentucky-2nd-amendment-meet-the-atf-if-you-say-yes-to-medical-marijuana-the-answer">Cannabis, Guns, Kentucky &amp; 2nd Amendment, Meet The ATF: If You Say &#8216;Yes&#8217; To Medical Marijuana, The Answer To Owning A Gun Is &#8216;No&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy Gov. Beshear&#8217;s office

Cannabis

Government

Why Kentucky Is Keeping Marijuana Applicants' Names A Secret

AMTM

QRVO

WDAY

S&P Dow Jones Indices Announces Changes: Apollo Global Management And Workday To Join S&P 500, Replacing Qorvo And Amentum Holdings; Comerica And Carpenter Technology To Enter S&P MidCap 400, Replacing Vishay Intertechnology And Carters; Vishay And Carters To Move To S&P SmallCap 600, Replacing Comerica And Carpenter Technology

<ul>
<li>Conference call and webcast to discuss data on Monday, December 9 at 8:30 a.m. ET</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.enanta.com&amp;esheet=54163368&amp;newsitemid=20241206627146&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Enanta+Pharmaceuticals%2C+Inc.&amp;index=1&amp;md5=20d384e13292c32afa00e9dd99c15466">Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.</a> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ENTA#NASDAQ">ENTA</a>), a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to creating small molecule drugs for virology and immunology indications, today announced the company will hold a conference call and webcast on Monday, December 9 at 8:30 a.m. ET to share topline results from RSVPEDs, a first-in-pediatrics Phase 2 study evaluating zelicapavir in hospitalized and non-hospitalized children aged 28 days to 36 months with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

ENTA

Enanta Pharmaceuticals To Present Topline Results From Its Phase 2 Study Evaluating Zelicapavir For Respiratory Syncytial Virus; Conference Call And Webcast To Discuss Data On Monday, December 9 At 8:30 a.m. ET

Partnership will facilitate the flow of national security data from the tactical edge to the cloud-based enterprise
Palantir and Anduril, two leading companies at the intersection of commercial technology and national security, are launching a new consortium to ensure that the U.S. government leads the world in artificial intelligence. Our goal is to deliver the technological infrastructure, from the edge to the enterprise, that can enable our government and industry partners to transform America's world-leading AI advancements into next-generation military and national security capabilities.
This partnership is focused on solving two main problems that limit the adoption of AI for national security purposes. The first is data readiness. Most useful national security data— government data that are collected and created by sensors, vehicles, weapons, and robots at the tactical edge—are not retained for AI training and algorithm development. Exabytes of defense data, indispensable for AI training and inferencing, are currently evaporating. What should be America's ultimate asymmetric advantage over our adversaries is instead our biggest lost opportunity.

PLTR

Anduril And Palantir To Accelerate AI Capabilities For National Security; Partnership Will Facilitate The Flow Of National Security Data From The Tactical Edge To The Cloud-Based Enterprise

Baijiayun Group Ltd ("Baijiayun" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTC#NASDAQ">RTC</a>), a one-stop AI video solution provider, today announced that it has entered into a Standby Equity Purchase Agreement (the "SEPA"), with YA II PN, Ltd. ("YA"), a fund managed by Yorkville Advisors Global, LP. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the the SEPA, YA is committed to purchase up to $50 million (the "Commitment Amount") of the Company's Class A Ordinary Shares (the "Shares") at any time during the two-year period following the execution date of the SEPA, by delivering written notice to YA (an "Advance Notice"). Pursuant to the SEPA, YA will advance to the Company, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions as set forth therein, the principal amount of up to $15 million (the "Pre-Paid Advance"), which will be evidenced by convertible promissory notes (the "Promissory Notes", together with the "SEPA", the "Offering") in four tranches. The first Pre-Advance, in the principal amount of $3,000,000, was advanced December 6, 2024 in connection with the execution of the SEPA,&nbsp; and is subject to a 10% discount to the principal amount of such Promissory Note.

Offerings

Baijiayun Announces Up To $15M Convertible Promissory Notes And $50M Standby Equity Purchase Agreement With YA II PN, Ltd.

The Board of Directors of The AES Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AES#NYSE">AES</a>) approved an increase of 2% in the Company's quarterly common stock dividend, from $0.1725 per share to $0.17595 per share, beginning in the first quarter of 2025.&nbsp;

Dividends

AES Increases Quarterly Dividend From $0.1725 To $0.17595 Per Share

Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>) ("SMCI" or the "Company"), a Total IT Solution Provider for AI, Cloud, Storage and 5G/Edge, today announced that on December 6, 2024, it received a letter from the Nasdaq Stock Market ("Nasdaq") informing the Company that Nasdaq has granted the Company's request for an exception to Nasdaq's Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) through February 25, 2025. The exception gives the Company until February 25, 2025 to file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2024 and any other required filings. The Company's common stock will remain listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market during the exception period. If the Company files all the required reports by February 25, 2025, the common stock will remain listed, so long as the Company remains in compliance with Nasdaq's listing rules.
The Company currently expects to file all the required reports by February 25, 2025.

SMCI

Super Micro Computer Announces Receipt Of Extension From Nasdaq Stock Market Through February 25, 2025

Ever since pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/08/28349295/understanding-bitcoins-whitepaper" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">published a whitepaper</a> on Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) in 2008, there have been plenty of cryptocurrency skeptics.
President-elect Donald Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/41096120/if-you-invested-1-000-in-bitcoin-when-donald-trump-said-he-wasnt-a-fan-heres-how-much-youd">was one of them</a>.
&#8220;I am not a fan of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, which are not money, and whose value is highly volatile and based on thin air,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1149472282584072192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1149472282584072192%7Ctwgr%5E05ce97419f07b6da557a7465d7b1138a09bf4c43%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpublish.twitter.com%2F%3Fquery%3Dhttps3A2F2Ftwitter.com2FrealDonaldTrump2Fstatus2F1149472282584072192widget%3DTweet">tweeted</a> in 2019. He also called out Libra, a virtual currency that Meta Platforms was working on at the time. The Facebook parent company should &#8220;seek a new Banking Charter and become subject to all Banking Regulations, just like other Banks,&#8221; he insisted.
But during his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/41778425/bitcoins-all-time-high-a-groundbreaking-milestone-and-strong-post-election-rally-coming-ex">2024 U.S. presidential campaign</a>, Trump changed his mind. He suggested a strategic national crypto stockpile for the U.S. Trump also<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/12/30095836/donald-trump-nfts-are-here-how-you-can-buy-them-and-get-dinner-with-the-former-president" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> launched his own non-fungible tokens</a> on the Polygon (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/matic/usd">MATIC</a>) blockchain and accepted Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) as a payment option. 
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42356067/venture-capitalist-david-sacks-appointed-as-white-house-ai-crypto-czar-by-trump">Trump Appoints VC David Sacks As White House Crypto Czar: &#8216;He Will Work On A Legal Framework&#8217;</a>
A key milestone for the crypto sector came when Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/40001426/trump-aims-to-make-us-crypto-capital-of-the-planet-well-get-it-done">spoke</a> at the 2024 Bitcoin Conference in Nashville. 
"For too long our government has violated the cardinal rule that every Bitcoiner knows by heart: Never sell your Bitcoin," Trump <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UxAUryUKXM">said </a>at the event on July 27. "This afternoon I'm laying out my plan to ensure that the United States will be the crypto capital of the planet and Bitcoin superpower of the world and we'll get it done.&#8221;
Investing $1,000 in Bitcoin: Bitcoin holders saw a soaring valuation ever since Trump made that speech.
Bitcoin traded between $66,705.22 to $69,398.51 on July 27, 2024, the date of Trump's event appearance.
A $1,000 investment at the day's highest price could have purchased 0.0144 BTC.
Fast-forward to today and Bitcoin trades at $101,478.46, recently passing the $100,000 milestone for the first time.
The $1,000 investment would be worth $1,461.29 today, up 46.1% in less than five months.
The same $1,000 invested in the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust, which tracks the S&amp;P 500, would be worth $1,111.21 today. That&#8217;s up only 11.1% over the same time period.
Bitcoin quickly passed new all-time highs after Trump won the 2024 presidential election. Over the past month, Bitcoin has traded between $74,480.42 and $103,900.47.
Bitcoin investors are optimistic that Trump's incoming administration will continue being pro-crypto compared to his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/11/41996491/18-republican-states-sue-bidens-sec-over-harsh-crypto-crackdown">predecessor, President Joe Biden</a>. 
Now Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42367065/exclusive-bitcoin-briefly-tops-100000-but-where-do-benzinga-readers-predict-it-will-finish-2024">EXCLUSIVE: Bitcoin Briefly Tops $100,000, But Where Do Benzinga Readers Predict It Will Finish 2024?</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

Cryptocurrency

Education

Politics

$BTC

$ETH

$MATIC

If You Invested $1,000 In Bitcoin When Trump Said US Will Be 'Crypto Capital Of The World,' Here's How Much You'd Have Today

BIOA

Trading Halt: Halt status updated at 4:55:00 PM ET: Quotation Resumption: News and Resumption Times

Analysts have updated coverage and raised price targets on Robinhood Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>) after the company hosted its first investor day on Wednesday and showed significant growth across customers, assets under <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports-betting/24/12/42345211/robinhood-ceo-vlad-tenev-says-sports-betting-comments-taken-a-little-bit-out-of-context-but-he-also-wouldnt-rule-it-out">custody and trading volumes.&nbsp;</a>
Expert Ideas: Goldman Sachs analyst James Yaro assumed coverage of Robinhood Markets on Thursday and upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy with a $46 price target. The analyst highlighted the firm's growth as driven by continued wallet share gains among active traders and sees a long-term opportunity for Robinhood to expand into other areas, including wealth management and international markets.  
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42365711/fridays-top-5-trending-stocks-whats-going-on-with">Friday&#8217;s Top 5 Trending Stocks: What&#8217;s Going On With SoundHound AI, GameStop, Lululemon?</a>
"HOOD has successfully migrated from a fast growing, periodically profitable online broker servicing mostly younger investors, to a best-in-class top and bottom-line asset under custody compounder with a growing total addressable market," Yaro wrote.&nbsp;
Robinhood's average revenue per user (ARPU) has more than doubled over the past two years and Yaro sees the firm's ARPU rising another 19% through 2026, driven mainly from transaction revenue growth. &nbsp;
The Goldman Sachs analyst also sees further growth of assets under custody (AUC), driven by Robinhood's low brokerage market share at present and its expanding wallet share among active traders. Yaro highlighted the "best-in-class customer value" provided through the company's HOOD Gold offering, as well as new products for active traders including index options, futures, crypto offerings and prediction markets.&nbsp;
Piper Sandler analyst Patrick Moley also weighed in on the potential for Robinhood to grow its assets under custody. In a Thursday note, Moley pointed to Robinhood's younger demographic, with 75% of its customers under age 43 combined with an ongoing generational wealth transfer of approximately $85 trillion, providing fuel for significant AUC and revenue growth. 
Piper Sandler maintained its Overweight rating on Robinhood shares and raised its price target from $42 to $54.
HOOD Price Action: According to data from<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?gspk=YWRhbWVja2VydDUzMzY&amp;gsxid=zBMR4PKmcgBw"> Benzinga Pro,</a> Robinhood Markets shares ended Friday's session 7.07% higher at $41.67.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42316904/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-dies-after-being-shot-outside-nyc-hotel">UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Fatally Shot Outside NYC Hotel</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Fintech news covering the emerging Financial Technology services sector

Fintech

Upgrades

Analyst Ratings

HOOD

Robinhood Markets Grows Into 'Best-In-Class' Brokerage, Analyst Says

The New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association (NYMCIA) has filed a lawsuit against the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/new-york-cannabis">New York Cannabis </a>Control Board (CCB) and the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/office-of-cannabis-management">Office of Cannabis Management</a> (OCM) over a $20 million fee for adult-use cannabis licenses. 
The NYMCIA is asking for the fees to be declared unconstitutional and refund any fees already paid, <a href="https://www.greenmarketreport.com/ny-medical-marijuana-group-sues-state-for-punishing-medical-operators/">reported</a> Green Market Report.
The lawsuit centers on the argument that the fee is punitive and disproportionately affects the original cannabis operators (Registered Organizations or ROs) who helped launch the state's medical marijuana program in 2014.
Under NY&#8217;s legalization plan, Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), a one-time fee was meant to fund social equity programs, but the NYMCIA argues the OCM and CCB set the fee at $20 million without consideration.
The association claims the fee is designed to financially burden the ROs and exclude them from the adult-use market. According to them, the financial impact of the fee has been severe and has prohibited many operators from switching to the adult-use market. 
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42314121/advocacy-groups-urge-governor-hochul-to-strengthen-leadership-at-new-yorks-office-of-cannabis-management">Advocacy Groups Demand Gov. Hochul Appoint New Leadership For NY&#8217;s Cannabis Office</a>
Only four out of the ten original ROs have been able to make the first $5 million installment payment to transition to adult-use licenses. 
The rest are left with wholesale-only licenses, limiting their market opportunities. This has also led to closures and reduced hours at medical dispensaries, negatively affecting patients.
The lawsuit points to statements from former OCM leaders, such as Chief of Staff Axel Bernabe, who allegedly acknowledged that the intention was to keep ROs out of the adult-use market.
The NYMCIA is demanding that the court invalidate the fee and refund any payments made. If successful, the case could have broad implications for the future of cannabis regulation in New York and other states navigating similar issues.
<ul>
<li>Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39987805/new-yorkers-in-a-bind-as-top-shelf-cannabis-supply-falls-short-could-home-cultivation-help">New Yorkers In A Bind As Top-Shelf Cannabis Supply Falls Short, Could Home Cultivation Help</a></li>
</ul>
COVER: Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/es-es/foto/empire-state-building-nueva-york-466685/">Lukas Kloeppel</a> via Pexels

Regulations

New York Medical Cannabis Industry Challenges The State's System: $20M Fee Per Operator At Stake

As President-elect Donald Trump reshuffles his cabinet wish list, Florida Gov. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/ron-desantis">Ron DeSantis</a> seems to be moving closer to the halls of the Pentagon, that is if Trump's embattled first choice for the job flames out. 
Pete Hegseth's nomination <a href="http://Read Also: Trump To Swap Hegseth For DeSantis? Here's What Polymarket Odds For Defense Secretary Pick Show">continues to be clouded</a> by troubling allegations raising serious concerns about his suitability for one of the country's most critical roles.
That said, on Friday Trump made his first public show of support for Hegseth, <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-shows-public-support-embattled-defense-secretary-pick/story?id=116519958">according</a> to ABC News since the scandals began to flood the airwaves. 
&#8220;Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep,&#8221; Trump wrote on his social media platform. &#8220;He was a great student — Princeton/Harvard educated — with a Military state of mind. He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense Defense [typo in original text], one who leads with charisma and skill," <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113605996857369106">wrote</a> Trump who added that Hegseth is a "WINNER."
But then Trump invited someone else (DeSantis) to the upcoming annual Army-Navy college football game, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-rallies-behind-defense-secretary-pick-hegseth-invites-desantis-army-navy-game">reported</a> Fox News on Friday. Which means?
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42327943/trump-could-nominate-former-political-foe-desantis-for-defense-secretary-over-hegseth-report-says-here-are-the-polymarket-odds-for-presidents-cabinet-pick">Trump To Swap Hegseth For DeSantis? Here&#8217;s What Polymarket Odds For Defense Secretary Pick Show</a>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Enter Ron DeSantis?</h1>
While not a defense stalwart though he did <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/02/36901203/ron-desantis-to-send-florida-troops-to-texas-border-to-stem-invasion-of-illegal-drugs-immigrants">offer to send Florida troops</a> to the Texas border to stop the flow of drugs and immigrants from Mexico, DeSantis served as a Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer and deployed to Iraq, making him comparatively qualified by Trump standards, which seem to prioritize loyalty and optics over skill and experience. 
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">No Cannabis For Florida Or Any Other State?</h1>
In Florida, DeSantis has been riding high since the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/11/41763514/florida-rejects-cannabis-legalization-amendment-supported-by-trump-detested-by-desantis">defeat of the constitutional amendment</a> to legalize cannabis, which he fought against tooth and nail despite widespread public support for legalization, which included <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/08/40666944/donald-trump-supports-cannabis-legalization-in-florida-game-changer-and-huge-blow-to-ron-desanti" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump&#8217;s&nbsp;endorsement</a> that no doubt irked the governor. 
Advocates argue DeSantis&#8217; resistance to cannabis reform not only stifled economic opportunities in the state but also ignored the will of many Floridians. For an amendment to be adopted in Florida, it must receive 60% of the vote. The cannabis amendment received 57% — a majority, but no cigar.
The cannabis angle could become relevant given the growing recognition of legalization as a bipartisan issue. For a potential Secretary of Defense nominee, opposition to marijuana reform could complicate relations within the states — 38 and counting — and nations where cannabis is embraced for its medical, social and economic benefits.
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DeSantis, Trump Mend Fences After Florida Cannabis Split While Pete Hegseth Scandal Deepens

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