Insights

Cannabis Stocks Rally but Remain Undervalued Relative to Peers, Viridian Report Finds

LOS ANGELES – U.S. Cannabis companies have posted impressive gains this year, yet their valuations still trail those of comparable industries, a new analysis from Viridian Capital Advisors indicates. The Weekly Chart by Viridian plots enterprise value multiples based on 2025 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) against expected revenue growth from 2024 ...

September 1st, 2025|

STUDY: Cannabis Consumers Engage in Greater Levels of Physical Exercise

OKLAHOMA CITY–Middle-aged adults are more likely to engage in physical activities on days when they also consume cannabis, according to data published in the journal Addictive Behaviors. Researchers affiliated with the University of Oklahoma assessed the relationship between cannabis use and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in a cohort of 98 healthy middle-aged adults. They found that participants typically engaged in ...

August 28th, 2025|

Google Launches Limited Test of Cannabis Advertising on Its Search Platform in Canada

TORONTO – Google has started a restricted trial allowing select Canadian Cannabis companies to place ads on its search engine, marking a cautious step toward easing long-standing prohibitions on such promotions. The initiative, which went live on August 25, 2025, permits only federally licensed operators to run advertisements for Cannabis products and services through Google ...

August 27th, 2025|

Cannabis Stocks Climb 79% in a Month, But Path to Past Highs Remains Uncertain

LOS ANGELES – Publicly traded Cannabis companies have seen sharp gains recently, with the AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF (MSOS) climbing about 79% over the past month. This rally prompts questions about sustainability and potential for further upside, according to analysis from Viridian Capital Advisors. The firm's latest chart highlights monthly price increases for 11 ...

August 25th, 2025|

Trump’s Potential Cannabis Rescheduling Sparked Stock Rise and Industry Uncertainty

LOS ANGELES – On August 11, 2025, President Donald Trump’s public comments on potentially rescheduling Cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act skyrocketed Cannabis stocks. The AdvisorShares Pure U.S. Cannabis ETF (MSOS) jumped 28%, its best day since 2022, while the Amplify Alternative Harvest ETF (MJ) gained over 26%, marking ...

August 21st, 2025|

Hemp-Derived THC Beverages Gain Traction as U.S. Alcohol Consumption Declines

LOS ANGELES – Hemp-derived THC beverages generated $382 million in sales in 2024, a marked increase from previous years, yet 2025 projections indicate tempered growth at $571 million, climbing to $756 million by 2029 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 14%. THC beverages are gaining momentum as alternatives to alcohol, particularly as ...

August 21st, 2025|

Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works for Cannabis Leaders

LOS ANGELES -The Cannabis industry is filled with ambitious operators, visionary founders, and well-funded enterprises. Yet despite enormous energy and investment, many companies still struggle to answer the most fundamental question in business: what is our strategy? Too often, Cannabis leadership mistakes survival for strategy. But survival alone is not a winning aspiration. To move ...

August 19th, 2025|

MSOs Confront Billions in Uncertain Tax Liabilities

LOS ANGELES – U.S. Cannabis operators continue to navigate the constraints of IRS Section 280E, which bars deductions for standard business expenses and drives up effective tax rates. Major multi-state Cannabis operators (MSOs) have leaned on legal opinions to expense these taxes without immediate payment, instead accruing them as uncertain tax liabilities (UTLs) on their ...

August 19th, 2025|

A LIFE IN A DAY: David Peck, CEO of Headquarters

LOS ANGELES- In this edition of A LIFE IN A DAY, Highly Capitalized Network catches up with David Peck, the founder and CEO of Headquarters (HQ)—an operations partner for Cannabis businesses across the country. Headquarters helps retailers and operators run smoother by handling the work most companies don’t have time or teams for: staffing, systems, ...

August 17th, 2025|

Cannabis MSOs Face High-Stakes Tax Dilemma as Rescheduling Decision Looms Under Trump

As Trump's administration weighs reclassifying Cannabis to Schedule III, Cannabis giants continue to contend with hefty uncertain tax liabilities under IRS Section 280E, a rule that has long hampered their financial flexibility. A recent report from Viridian Capital Advisors estimates these "Uncertain Tax Liabilities" (UTLs) at approximately $2.3 billion across key industry players, highlighting a ...

August 14th, 2025|

Cannabis Stocks Show Sensitivity to Q2 2025 Earnings Despite Market Volatility

LOS ANGELES – In the Cannabis industry, where trading often revolves around speculation and regulatory rumors, a recent analysis suggests that core financial performance still influences investor behavior. According to a recent report from Viridian Capital Advisors, industry stocks respond to quarterly earnings surprises, challenging the notion that fundamentals take a backseat. Viridian's latest Chart ...

August 12th, 2025|

BREAKING: Trump Signals Possible Cannabis Reclassification Within Weeks

LOS ANGELES- President Donald Trump said Monday that his administration is actively considering shifting Cannabis to a lower-risk category under federal law — a move that could have sweeping implications for the industry. Speaking at a White House press briefing, Trump described the process as still in its early stages but suggested a decision could ...

August 11th, 2025|

Case Study: Grupo Flor: A Cannabis Turnaround Driven by Strategic Focus

SALINAS- When Mark Collins joined Grupo Flor as Chief Financial Officer, the California-based vertically integrated Cannabis company was in severe financial and operational distress. The business held multiple licenses across retail, cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution—far more than it could manage profitably. Heavy tax liabilities and operational inefficiencies threatened the company’s survival. This case study details ...

August 8th, 2025|

Did Psilocybin Arrive From Outer Space? New Genomic Study Opens the Door to a Cosmic Possibility

LOS ANGELES — The psychedelic compound psilocybin has long intrigued researchers for its potential to treat mental health conditions, but a groundbreaking study is now shedding new light on where these mushrooms came from—and it’s sparking speculation that their origins could be cosmic. A team from the University of Utah and the Natural History Museum ...

August 8th, 2025|

Cannabis Giants Grapple with Weak ROIC, Viridian Report Finds

LOS ANGELES – A recent analysis by Viridian Capital Advisors paints a somber picture for the Cannabis industry, projecting that none [!] of the 11 major companies studied will achieve a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) exceeding their Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) in 2025. This gap signals potential value destruction for investors, as ...

August 4th, 2025|

Cannabis Real Estate Valuations Highlight Sector Dynamics

LOS ANGELES – A recent report from Viridian Capital Advisors sheds light on the valuations of four key players in the U.S. Cannabis real estate sector: Chicago Atlantic and AFC Gamma, the leading specialty lenders, and NewLake Capital and Innovative Industrial Properties (IIPR), the top sales-leaseback providers. These companies, critical to the infrastructure of Cannabis ...

August 1st, 2025|

Ayr Wellness Faces Drastic Restructuring as Noteholders Take Control

LOS ANGELES – Ayr Wellness Inc., a prominent player in the U.S. Cannabis industry, is set to undergo a seismic restructuring that could mark the end of the company as it exists today. On July 30, Ayr announced a Restructuring Support Agreement (RSA) that hands significant control to its senior secured noteholders. The move signals ...

July 31st, 2025|

Cannabis Rescheduling Omitted from Cole’s Priorities, Raising Questions About Trump’s Stance

LOS ANGELES – In a surprising turn, newly appointed DEA administrator Terrance Cole has sidelined Cannabis rescheduling, despite pledging it as a top priority during his April 2025 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. According to a recent strategic priorities document released by Cole, Cannabis reform was conspicuously absent, leaving advocates and analysts questioning the administration’s direction ...

July 30th, 2025|

New York’s Licensing Blunder

NEW YORK – NY’s adult-use cannabis market, now boasting 436 licensed dispensaries [a 93-store increase since late 2024] has hit a snag. The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) recently acknowledged a critical error in its compliance measurements and issued a proximity correction. A state law prohibits dispensaries within 500 feet of schools or places of ...

July 30th, 2025|

Rep. Salud Carbajal Responds to DHS Claims After ICE Raid at Cannabis Farm

LOS ANGELES- U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D‑CA‑24) is facing criticism following a July 10 ICE raid at two Glass House Farms cannabis cultivation sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo, California. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alleges Carbajal “doxxed” an ICE public affairs officer by publicly displaying the agent’s business card to protesters, leading to injuries ...

July 18th, 2025|

Pennsylvania Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Legalize Recreational Cannabis

LOS ANGELES- Pennsylvania lawmakers today announced the introduction of two parallel bipartisan bills aimed at legalizing adult-use recreational cannabis. The effort builds on mounting momentum amid state budget pressures and growing public support. In the Senate, Republican Sen. Dan Laughlin (R‑49) and Democratic Sen. Sharif Street (D‑3) unveiled Senate Bill 120 on July 10. The legislation would permit adults ...

July 18th, 2025|
  • Phylos Named in mg Magazine's 50 Best Companies to Work for in Cannabis

DaySavers Introduces ‘Higher Potential’ Scholarship with Over $25,000 in Cannabis Education Awards

LOS ANGELES- DaySavers, the pre‑roll accessories brand under Custom Cones USA, has launched its inaugural Higher Potential Cannabis Education Scholarship—a collective effort backed by industry partners, offering more than $25,000 in financial support for current and aspiring cannabis professionals  The scholarship bundle includes direct monetary grants, tuition‑free access to cannabis-related courses and certification programs, mentorships, ...

July 18th, 2025|

California Farmworker Dies Following Greenhouse Fall During Chaotic ICE Raid

LOS ANGELES- A 57‑year‑old farmworker, identified as Jaime Alanis Garcia, has died from injuries sustained after falling approximately 30 feet from a greenhouse roof during a July 10 ICE-led raid at a Glass House Farms cannabis facility in Camarillo, California — the first fatality linked to the Trump administration’s recent immigration enforcement efforts. The raid targeted two ...

July 17th, 2025|
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