Royal Queen Seeds Celebrates 4/20 With Billboard Takeover in Times Square

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 22, 2024--

Royal Queen Seeds (RQS), one of the largest and most trusted cannabis seed banks in the world, celebrated 4/20 with a 20-story advertisement in Times Square, marking New York’s move toward legal and regulated home cultivation of cannabis for all adults.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240422549501/en/

The 200-foot-tall One Times Square Billboard, which historically counts down to New Years, encouraged New Yorkers to grow their own cannabis and included a countdown to 4:20 p.m., which was celebrated with RQS’ latest U.S. cannabis seed partner, TYSON 2.0 and its Co-founder Mike Tyson.

“Growing cannabis at home is one of the most rewarding experiences, and for New Yorkers looking to cultivate, Royal Queen Seeds is a trusted partner throughout their journey, from seed germination to harvesting,” said Shai Ramsahai, President of RQS. “Cannabis home grow should be legal, especially in the states where you can legally purchase cannabis as an adult for recreation, yet are still prohibited or outright criminalized for growing the same plant on your own private property.”

With a majority of Americans supporting legal cannabis home cultivation and home growers reporting emotional health, safety and economic benefits according to a 2024 Harris Poll survey, it is the perfect time for New York residents to discover the joy of growing cannabis at home.

“Beyond the self-recorded benefits people enjoy from home cultivation, home growers develop a deeper understanding of and relationship with cannabis and mother nature,” Ramsahai continued. “As one of the largest cannabis seed banks in the world, we will continue to advocate for fair and legal home cannabis cultivation laws and regulations for personal use.”

As RQS heralds a new era for cannabis in New York with the Times Square celebration, the company is also riding high with its recent “hat trick” of award recognition, named Best Seed Bank by Spannabis, International Cannabis Industry Awards and the Emjays.

For more information, visit royalqueenseeds.com/us. To download the results of the survey or high-resolution photos and b-roll of the countdown click here.

About Royal Queen Seeds

Established in 2007 in Amsterdam, Royal Queen Seeds (RQS) is the market leader at the forefront of the global cannabis genetics industry, recognized as “Best Seedbank of the Year” at The Emjays International Cannabis Awards 2023 in Las Vegas. Driven by an inherent passion for the plant, RQS meticulously tests each seed for germination, vigor, yield and both recreational and medical efficacy. This dedication, combined with relentless research and development, allows RQS to pioneer and anticipate market trends while delivering top-tier genetics curated by its team of biologists. The company is also a respected cannabis educator that offers comprehensive grow guides, resources and instruction for cultivators. It has developed an extensive range of modern genetics—including autoflowering and proprietary F1 hybrids—that cater to the varied needs of contemporary growers at every skill level, from hobbyists to professionals. Multiple Cannabis Cup victories and “Best Seed Bank” awards—at prestigious global events including The International Cannabis Awards and Spannabis—speak to the company’s outstanding breeding and innovation.

RQS now operates online in the U.S., Thailand and 28 countries across Europe. Headquartered in Barcelona, brick and mortar locations can be found in Amsterdam, Barcelona and Bangkok. Learn more at royalqueenseeds.com.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 20: (L-R) President of Royal Queen Seeds Shai Ramsahai, Mike Tyson and Adam Wilks attend the Royal Queen Seeds takeover of the One Times Square Billboard for 4/20 on April 20, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Royal Queen Seeds)

NEW YORK (AP) — Kodai Senga's injury-delayed season debut for the New York Mets was cut short after 5 1/3 innings and 73 pitches when he strained his left calf while pitching against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.

After inducing Austin Riley to pop up leading off the sixth, Senga pointed toward Pete Alonso and began sprinting off the mound to clear room for the first baseman. The 31-year-old right-hander grabbed his left calf and bounced for a couple steps before falling.

Senga held his calf as he was surrounded by catcher Francisco Alvarez, manager Carlos Mendoza, his interpreter and an athletic trainer. Senga and the trainer rubbed Senga’s calf before Senga got up, exchanged hugs and handshakes with teammates on the infield and limped off.

Senga, who missed the first 102 games with a right shoulder capsule strain, allowed just two hits — including Adam Duvall’s two-run homer in the second inning — while striking out nine. He retired his final 10 batters.

Runner-up to Arizona's Corbin Carroll for NL Rookie of the Year last season, Senga was 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA in 29 starts after signing a $75 million, five-year contract.

Senga began a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment on July 3 and went 0-0 with a 4.15 ERA in four starts, three for Triple-A Syracuse and one for Class A Brooklyn.

Right-handed reliever Eric Orze was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse and emerging reliever Dedniel Núñez was put on the 15-day injured list with a right pronator strain. Right-handers Adrian Houser and Shintaro Fujinami were designated for assignment.

Núñez, 2-0 with a 2.43 ERA and one save in 24 games, had an MRI that didn't reveal any elbow ligament damage, manager Carlos Mendoza said. The 28-year-old right-hander began feeling tightness following back-to-back appearances at Miami last Saturday and experienced discomfort again Wednesday,

Houser, acquired from Milwaukee with outfielder Tyrone Taylor on Dec. 20, was 1-5 with a 7.84 ERA and one save in seven starts and 16 relief appearances. He opened 0-3 with an 8.16 ERA in his first six starts before working himself into a late-inning bullpen role by going 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in 12 appearances from May 10 through June 30.

Hauser was scored upon in all five of his outings this month with a 9.00 ERA.

“Even when we put him in the bullpen, he was always willing to take the baseball and do whatever the team needed,” Mendoza said. “He was such a professional. It was just hard for him to find that consistency.”

Fujinami signed to a $3.35 million, one-year deal and opened the season with Syracuse. He was recalled and placed on the 15-day injured list on May 13 with a strained right shoulder, then walked eight in 8 2/3 innings over nine rehab appearances since June 25.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

New York Mets' Kodai Senga, right, high-fives Luis Severino while walking into the dugout during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Kodai Senga gestures while walking into the dugout during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Kodai Senga (34) reacts as he leaves the field due to an injury during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Kodai Senga grabs his leg as he reacts to an injury during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)