Curaleaf Reports Record Third Quarter 2020 Financial and Operational Results

Record Third Quarter Pro Forma Revenue (1)(2) of $215.3 Million

Record Third Quarter Managed Revenue (1) of $193.2 Million , up 164% and in Line with Company Guidance

Record Year-to-Date Managed Revenue (1) of $419.6 Million

Record Third Quarter Adjusted EBITDA (1) of $42.3 Million as Operations Across 23 States Continue to Scale

WAKEFIELD, Mass. , Nov. 17, 2020 /CNW/ -- Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf" or the "Company"), a leading U.S. provider of consumer products in cannabis, today reported its financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020 . All financial information is provided in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

Q3 2020 Financial Highlights (Unaudited)







($ thousands, except per share amounts)

Q3 2020

Q2 2020

% qoq
Change

Q3 2019

% yoy
Change

Managed Revenue (1)

$193,220

$121,402

59%

$73,192

164%

Total Revenue

$182,408

$117,480

55%

$61,820

195%

Gross profit before impact of biological assets

$91,775

$60,636

51%

$34,741

164%

Gross profit on cannabis sales (1)

$89,669

$42,735

110%

$23,602

280%

Gross margin on cannabis sales (1)

50%

43%


47%


Adjusted EBITDA (1)

$42,295

$27,994

51%

$10,439

305%

Net income (loss) attributable to Curaleaf Holdings Inc.

($9,343)

($2,029)


($6,835)


Net income (loss) per share – basic and diluted

($0.01)

($0.00)


(0.01)










(1)

See "Non-IFRS Financial and Performance Measures" below for more information regarding Curaleaf's use of Non-IFRS financial measures and other reconciliations.

(2)

Pro Forma Revenue includes the revenue from GR Companies, Inc. ("Grassroots") as if it occurred on July 1, 2020.

Third Quarter Highlights

  • Record managed revenue of $193.2 million , which grew 164% year-over-year and 59% sequentially
  • Record total revenue of $182.4 million , which grew 195% year-over-year and 55% sequentially
  • Record Adjusted EBITDA of $42.3 million , which grew more than four times 2019 levels and 51% sequentially
  • Closed acquisition of Grassroots creating the world's largest cannabis Company, as measured by revenue
  • Completed acquisition of Curaleaf NJ, Inc. and Maine Organic Therapy assets that were previously managed
  • Closed private placement of approximately $24.5 million in net proceeds
  • Raised approximately $41.0 million in net proceeds related to sale-leaseback transactions

Post Third Quarter Highlights

  • Select launched into 3 new states, including Ohio , Illinois , Pennsylvania , now available in 16 states
  • Opened 2 new dispensaries in Florida with 33 now open in state
  • Completed Acquisition of Alternative Therapies Group in Massachusetts the last managed entity to be consolidated
  • Voters in two key Curaleaf states approved cannabis for adult-use: New Jersey and Arizona
  • Announced the divestiture of $31.5 million of assets in Maryland , supporting the optimization of Curaleaf's vertically integrated presence in the state

Joseph Lusardi , Chief Executive Officer of Curaleaf stated, "Curaleaf's record third quarter results were complemented by the successful completion of our acquisition of Grassroots, which expanded our presence into 6 new states, including high-growth markets such as Illinois and Pennsylvania . As we head into 2021, Curaleaf remains incredibly well-positioned following the transformative legalization of adult-use cannabis in Arizona and New Jersey , and consequently the potential of future adult-use in New York , Pennsylvania and Connecticut . Each of these markets present an enormous opportunity for us, as the only MSO with a leading presence in every one of these states. Looking forward, we expect our growth will be driven by organic initiatives, increased capacity and dispensaries in key states and the roll out of adult use in Arizona and New Jersey ."

Mike Carlotti , Chief Financial Officer of Curaleaf, added, "Curaleaf, once again, delivered record quarterly results highlighted by record managed revenues, total revenues, and a 51% sequential improvement in Adjusted EBITDA. We anticipate a continued rise in managed revenue and adjusted EBITDA leading to strong sequential growth in the fourth quarter and into 2021. Finally, as of October 8th , we consolidated our final managed entity, Alternative Therapies Group in Massachusetts , and accordingly will report only IFRS total revenue beginning in the first quarter of 2021, thus greatly simplifying our future financial reporting."

Financial Results for the Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2020

Managed Revenue for the third quarter of 2020 was a record $193.2 million , an increase of 164.0% compared to $73.2 million in the third quarter of 2019. Managed Revenue for the third quarter increased 59.2% sequentially.

Total Revenue for the third quarter of 2020 was a record $182.4 million , an increase of 195.1% compared to $61.8 million in the third quarter of 2019. Total Revenue for the third quarter of 2020 increased 55.3% sequentially.

Retail revenue increased by 206.5% to $135.3 million during third the quarter of 2020, compared to $44.2 million in the third quarter of 2019. The increase in retail revenue was primarily due to organic growth and new store openings in in Florida , Massachusetts , Arizona and New York , coupled with the impact of Grassroots, Curaleaf NJ, Arrow, and Maine Organic Therapy acquisitions in 2020, the 2019 acquisitions of two dispensaries in Arizona in the third quarter of 2019 and acquisition of Acres in Nevada in late 2019.

Wholesale revenue increased nearly seven-fold to $45.0 million during the third quarter of 2020, compared to $6.5 million in the third quarter of 2019. Growth in wholesale revenue was due primarily to the addition of Select, Grassroots, New Jersey , Blue Kudu and an increase in California , Maryland and New York as a result of increased cultivation and harvest.

Management fee income decreased by 81.1% to $2.1 million during the third quarter of 2020, compared to $11.1 million in the third quarter of 2019. The decrease in the management fee income was primarily due to the acquisition of Curaleaf NJ, the managed not-for-profit in New Jersey in July 2020 , offset by the management fees generated from ATG.

Gross profit before impact of biological assets for the third quarter of 2020 was $91.8 million , compared to $34.7 million for the third quarter of 2019. The increase was primarily due to the continued improvement in the operating capacity and efficiency of the Company's cultivation and processing facilities.

Gross profit on cannabis sales was $89.7 million for the third quarter of 2020, resulting in a 50% margin, compared to $23.6 million in the third quarter of 2019. The increase was primarily due to the continued improvement in the operating capacity and efficiency of the Company's cultivation and processing facilities.

Adjusted EBITDA was a record $42.3 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $10.4 million for the third quarter of 2019.

Net loss, attributable to Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., for the third quarter of 2020 was $9.3 million , compared to a net loss of $6.8 million in the third quarter of 2019. The decrease was primarily driven by a $16.3 million increase in depreciation and amortization and a $0.8 million increase in share-based compensation, both of which are non-cash, a $13.5 million increase in income tax expense, a $13.3 million increase in net interest expense and $10.1 million increase in one-time expenses. These were partially offset by a $10.2 million increase in the fair value of biological assets and a $10.3 million increase in other income.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

As of September 30, 2020 , the Company had $84.6 million of cash on hand, $280.0 million of outstanding debt net of unamortized debt discounts and the weighted average fully diluted shares outstanding during the quarter were 625.2 million.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Curaleaf will host a conference call and audio webcast today at 4:30 pm ET to answer questions about the Company's operational and financial highlights. The dial-in numbers for the conference call are +1-888-317-6003 (U.S.), +1-866-284-3684 ( Canada ) or +1-412-317-6061 (Int'l) Passcode: 1304323. Please dial-in 10 to 15 minutes prior to the start time of the conference call and an operator will register your name and organization.

The conference call will also be available via webcast, which can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of Curaleaf's website, https://ir.curaleaf.com/events .

For interested individuals unable to join the conference call, a dial-in replay of the call will be available until November 24, 2020 at 11:59 pm ET and can be accessed by dialing +1-877-344-7529 (U.S.), +1-855-669-9658 ( Canada ) or +1-412-317-0088 (International) and entering replay pin number: 10148901. The online archive of the webcast will be available on https://ir.curaleaf.com/events for 90 days following the call.

Non-IFRS   Financial and Performance Measures

In this press release Curaleaf refers to certain non-IFRS financial measures such as "Pro Forma Revenue", "Managed Revenue", "Gross Profit on Cannabis Sales" and "Adjusted EBITDA". These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Curaleaf defines "Managed Revenue" as total revenue plus revenue from entities for which the Company has a management contract but does not consolidate the financial results based on IFRS 10 – Consolidated Financial Statements. Curaleaf defines "Pro Forma Revenue" as "Managed Revenue" plus revenue from operations of pending and closed acquisitions as if such acquisitions occurred on July 1, 2020 . The Company defines "Gross Profit on Cannabis Sales" as retail and wholesale revenues less cost of goods sold. "Adjusted EBITDA" is defined by Curaleaf as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization less share-based compensation expense and one-time charges related to business development, acquisition, financing and reorganization costs. Curaleaf considers these measures to be an important indicator of the financial strength and performance of our business. We believe the adjusted results presented provide relevant and useful information for investors because they clarify our actual operating performance, make it easier to compare our results with those of other companies and allow investors to review performance in the same way as our management. Since these measures are not calculated in accordance with IFRS, they should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, our reported results as indicators of our performance, and they may not be comparable to similarly named measures from other companies. The following tables provide a reconciliation of each of the non-IFRS measures to its closest IFRS measure.

Managed Revenue










($ thousands)













Q3 2020



Q2 2020



Q3 2019

Retail revenue


$

135,344


$

66,275


$

44,152

Wholesale revenue



44,958



33,304



6,529

Management fee income



2,106



17,901



11,139

Total Revenue



182,408



117,480



61,820

Revenue from managed entities, net of MSA fees



10,812



3,922



11,372

Managed revenue


$

193,220


$

121,402


$

73,192





















Gross Profit on Cannabis Sales










($ thousands)













Q3 2020



Q2 2020



Q3 2019

Retail and wholesale revenues


$

180,302


$

99,579


$

50,681

Cost of goods sold



90,633



56,844



27,079

Gross profit on cannabis sales


$

89,669


$

42,735


$

23,602





















Adjusted EBITDA










($ thousands)













Q3 2020



Q2 2020



Q3 2019

Net income (loss)


$

(8,931)


$

(1,836)


$

(7,434)

Interest expense, net



17,431



9,916



4,178

Income tax recovery (expense)



18,745



13,534



5,279

Depreciation and amortization



26,657



17,869



10,361

Share-based compensation



5,430



4,833



4,673

Other (income) expense



(10,874)



77



(580)

Change in fair value of biological assets



(24,008)



(20,591)



(13,810)

One time charges



17,845



4,192



7,772

Adjusted EBITDA


$

42,295


$

27,994


$

10,439



(1)

Depreciation and amortization expense in Q3 2020, Q2 2020 and Q3 2019 include amounts charged to cost of goods sold on the statement of profits and losses. Prior period Q3 2019 has been adjusted to reflect the current period calculation of Adjusted EBITDA.

About Curaleaf Holdings

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf") is a leading U.S. provider of consumer products in cannabis, with a mission to improve lives by providing clarity around cannabis and confidence around consumption. As a vertically integrated, high-growth cannabis operator known for quality, expertise and reliability, the company and its brands, including Curaleaf and Select provide industry-leading service, product selection and accessibility across the medical and adult-use markets. Curaleaf currently operates in 23 states with 96 dispensaries, 23 cultivation sites and over 30 processing sites, and employs over 3,000 team members across the United States . Curaleaf is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol CURA and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol CURLF. For more information please visit www.curaleaf.com .

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Unaudited)

($ thousands)  





September 30,


December 31,




2020


2019

Assets








Current assets:








Cash



$

84,586


$

42,310

Accounts receivable




22,961



18,335

Inventory, net




182,877



63,210

Biological assets




37,609



19,197

Assets held for sale




33,530



Prepaid expenses and other current assets




15,307



6,479

Total current assets




376,870



149,531

Deferred tax asset




2,687



2,628

Notes receivable






57,166

Property, plant and equipment, net




200,339



129,812

Right-of-use assets




275,889



82,794

Intangible assets, net




806,749



185,635

Goodwill




439,320



69,326

Investments




62,807



51,209

Prepayment of acquisition consideration




160,226



Other assets




34,343



8,825

Total assets



$

2,359,230


$

736,926









Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity








Current liabilities:








Accounts payable



$

30,795


$

12,742

Accrued expenses




44,805



18,016

Income tax payable




35,486



15,114

Current portion of lease liability




39,787



11,835

Current portion of notes payable




6,290



17,000

Current contingent consideration liability




9,700



Liabilities held for sale




3,483



Other current liabilities




6,805



31,549

Total current liabilities




177,151



106,256

Deferred tax liability




219,357



22,642

Notes payable




273,695



87,953

Lease Liabilities




259,219



81,319

Non-controlling interest redemption liability




2,694



2,694

Contingent consideration liability




41,228



32,616

Other long term liability




246



Total liabilities




973,590



333,480









Shareholders' equity:








Share capital




1,728,874



693,699

Treasury shares




(5,208)



(5,208)

Reserves




(177,890)



(146,819)

Accumulated deficit




(159,370)



(132,910)

Total Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity




1,386,406



408,762

Redeemable non-controlling interest




(2,694)



(2,694)

Non-controlling interest




1,928



(2,622)

Total shareholders' equity




1,385,640



403,446

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity



$

2,359,230


$

736,926

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Profits and Losses (Unaudited)

($ thousands, except for share and per share amounts)




Three Months Ended


Nine Months Ended



September, 30


September, 30



2020


2019


2020


2019

Revenues:













Retail and wholesale revenues


$

180,302


$

50,681


$

356,937


$

116,176

Management fee income



2,106



11,139



39,448



29,386

Total revenues



182,408



61,820



396,385



145,562

Cost of goods sold



90,633



27,079



191,490



66,692

Gross profit before impact of biological assets



91,775



34,741



204,895



78,870

Realized fair value amounts included in inventory sold



(48,706)



(15,004)



(92,322)



(40,836)

Unrealized fair value gain on growth of biological assets



72,714



28,814



152,478



58,285

Gross profit



115,783



48,551



265,051



96,319

Operating expenses:













Selling, general and administrative



72,664



33,497



158,986



84,795

Share-based compensation



5,430



4,673



14,764



10,944

Depreciation and amortization



21,318



8,938



48,243



21,029

Total operating expenses



99,412



47,108



221,993



116,768

Income (Loss) from operations



16,371



1,443



43,058



(20,449)

Other income (expense):













Interest income



40



2,568



6,459



7,488

Interest expense



(12,357)



(4,852)



(34,208)



(12,999)

Interest expense related to lease liabilities



(5,114)



(1,894)



(9,404)



(4,209)

Gain on investment



10,606





10,606



Other income (expense)



268



580



2,799



(494)

Total other income (expense), net



(6,557)



(3,598)



(23,748)



(10,214)

Income (Loss) before provision for income taxes



9,814



(2,155)



19,310



(30,663)

Income tax benefit (expense)



(18,745)



(5,279)



(45,528)



(12,033)

Net loss and comprehensive loss



(8,931)



(7,434)



(26,218)



(42,696)

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest



412



(599)



242



(1,112)

Net loss attributable to Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.


$

(9,343)


$

(6,835)


$

(26,460)


$

(41,584)

Loss per share attributable to Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. – basic and diluted


$

(0.01)


$

(0.01)


$

(0.05)


$

(0.09)

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted



625,228,556



464,073,130



555,629,066



461,045,835


Investor Contact:
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.
Daniel Foley , VP, Corporate Finance & Investor Relations
IR@curaleaf.com

Media Contact:
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. Tracy Brady , VP of Corporate Communications
media@curaleaf.com

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and United States securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on management's current beliefs, expectations or assumptions regarding the future of the business, plans and strategies, operational results and other future conditions of the Company. In addition, the Company may make or approve certain statements in future filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, in press releases, or in oral or written presentations by representatives of the Company that are not statements of historical fact and may also constitute forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, made by the Company that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements preceded by, followed by or that include words such as "assumptions", "assumes", "guidance", "outlook",  "may", "will", "would", "could", "should", "believes", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "expects", "plans", "intends", "anticipates", "targeted", "continues", "forecasts", "designed", "goal", or the negative of those words or other similar or comparable words and includes, among others, information regarding: its outlook for and expected operating margins, capital allocation, free flow cash and other financial results; growth of its operations via expansion, for the effects of any transactions; expectations for the potential benefits of any transactions; statements relating to the business and future activities of, and developments related to, the Company after the date of this press release, including such things as future business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of the Company's business, operations and plans; expectations that planned acquisitions will be completed; expectations regarding cultivation and manufacturing capacity; expectations regarding receipt of regulatory approvals; expectations that licenses applied for will be obtained; potential future legalization of adult-use and/or medical cannabis under U.S. federal law; expectations of market size and growth in the U.S. and the states in which the Company operates; expectations for other economic, business, regulatory and/or competitive factors related to the Company or the cannabis industry generally; and other events or conditions that may occur in the future. Forward-looking statements may relate to future financial conditions, results of operations, plans, objectives, performance or business developments. These statements speak only as at the date they are made and are based on information currently available and on the then current expectations. Holders of securities of the Company are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time they were provided or made and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, as applicable, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to: the available funds of the Company and the anticipated use of such funds; the availability of financing opportunities; legal and regulatory risks inherent in the cannabis industry; risks associated with economic conditions, dependence on management and currency risk; risks relating to U.S. regulatory landscape and enforcement related to cannabis, including political risks; risks relating to anti-money laundering laws and regulation; other governmental and environmental regulation; public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry; risks related to contracts with third-party service providers; risks related to the enforceability of contracts; reliance on the expertise and judgment of senior management of the Company, and ability to retain such senior management; risks related to proprietary intellectual property and potential infringement by third-parties; the concentrated voting control of the Company's Chairman and the unpredictability caused by the capital structure; risks relating to the management of growth; increasing competition in the industry; risks inherent in an agricultural business; risks relating to energy costs; risks associated to cannabis products manufactured for human consumption including potential product recalls; reliance on key inputs, suppliers and skilled labor; cybersecurity risks; ability and constraints on marketing products; fraudulent activity by employees, contractors and consultants; tax and insurance related risks; risks related to the economy generally; risk of litigation; conflicts of interest; risks relating to certain remedies being limited and the difficulty of enforcement of judgments and effect service outside of Canada ; risks related to future acquisitions or dispositions; sales by existing shareholders; limited research and data relating to cannabis; as well as those risk factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Management, Discussion and Analysis dated March 26, 2020 , and in the Company's Annual Information Form dated September 25, 2020 , and as described from time to time in documents filed by the Company with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The purpose of forward-looking statements is to provide the reader with a description of management's expectations, and such forward-looking statements may not be appropriate for any other purpose. In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, disclosure in this press release as well as statements regarding the Company's objectives, plans and goals, including future operating results and economic performance may make reference to or involve forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from what is projected in the forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Such forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. The Company's forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

This news release contains future-oriented financial information and financial outlook information (collectively, "FOFI") about the Company's prospective results of operations, production and production efficiency, commercialization, revenue and cash on hand, all of which are subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations, and qualifications as set second in the above paragraph. FOFI contained in this document was approved by management as of the date of this document and was provided for the purpose of providing further information about the Company's future business operations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any FOFI contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required pursuant to applicable law. Readers are cautioned that the FOFI contained in this document should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed herein.

The financial information reported in this news release is based on unaudited management prepared financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 . Accordingly, such financial information may be subject to change. Financial statements for the period will be released and filed under the Company's profiles on SEDAR at www.sedar.com no later than November 19, 2020 . All financial information contained in this news release is qualified in its entirety with reference to such unaudited financial statements. While the Company does not expect there to be any material changes, to the extent that the financial information contained in this news release is inconsistent with the information contained in the Company's unaudited financial statements, the financial information contained in this news release shall be deemed to be modified or superseded by the Company's unaudited financial statements. The making of a modifying or superseding statement shall not be deemed an admission for any purposes that the modified or superseded statement, when made, constituted a misrepresentation for purposes of applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider has reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

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SOURCE Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.

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Cannabis leaf on road marked with "2025," with sunlight in the background.

New Cannabis Consumption Trends, Regulatory Shifts Seen Driving Market in 2025

Understanding trends in the cannabis industry is paramount for investors eyeing a market with steady growth potential, but the landscape is complex as products and regulations continue to evolve.

Consumption habits are changing as edibles, vaping and THC beverages gain traction, especially among younger users, and cannabis companies are adapting their offerings to meet shifting demand.

Meanwhile, regulatory uncertainty, particularly surrounding the future of the US Farm Bill and state-level restrictions on hemp-derived cannabinoids, continues to challenge the market.

Despite these headwinds, production data and long-term growth forecasts suggest the cannabis industry remains on a promising — albeit turbulent — path. Read on for more on key trends to watch in 2025.

Consumption methods evolving post-legalization

Shifts in consumer behavior are reshaping markets across the board, and the cannabis industry is no exception.

While smoking remains the dominant method of cannabis consumption, a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights the growing popularity of edibles, vaping and dabbing.

The report notes that vaping and dabbing are particularly pronounced among younger adults.

A separate study published by the American Medical Association and funded in part by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research also points to how product preferences have changed among Canadian users since legalization in 2018.


The study indicates that while the use of flower, cannabis concentrates, oil, tinctures and topicals has decreased during that time, the use of vape cartridges, edibles and beverages has increased.

Edibles and beverages were legalized in Canada in late 2019, and Truss Beverage was one of the first players to introduce cannabis-infused drinks. Truss was a joint venture formed by Molson Coors Canada (TSX:TPX.A,TSX:TPX.B) and HEXO, a cannabis company that has since been acquired by Tilray Brands (TSX:TLRY,NASDAQ:TLRY).

In early 2020, Tilray launched a lineup of confectionery, wellness products and beverages through its subsidiary, High Park; Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED,NASDAQ:CGC) made a similar move. These companies gradually brought their products to the US as more states legalized cannabis for medical and/or recreational use.

Today, established cannabis brands typically offer edibles and beverages alongside their other products. Organigram Global (TSX:OGI,NASDAQ:OGI) is one of the newest US entrants, with its April acquisition of Collective Project providing immediate access to the US hemp-derived THC beverage market.

Growing awareness of health and wellness, potentially amplified by the pandemic-led adoption of health trackers, appears to be making an impact on the alcoholic beverage market.

A 2023 Gallup poll reveals a two decade decline in alcohol consumption, particularly among younger adults, suggesting a shift towards more health-conscious lifestyles within this demographic.

Craft beer production declined by 4 percent year-on-year in 2024, according to data collected by the Brewers Association. This marked the largest drop in the industry's history, excluding the pandemic. For small, independent craft breweries, 2024 marked the third consecutive year of declining production. A drop in the number of operating small breweries last year provides further evidence of this trend, with 501 closures in 2024 versus 434 openings.

Challenges in the alcohol market extend beyond the brewing industry, with the New York Times recently reporting the closure of a handful of nightclubs facing decreased alcohol sales alongside rising insurance and rent costs.

Meanwhile, cannabis lounges have been popping up across the US for the last several years. As of early 2025, several states had legalized or were in the process of implementing regulations for cannabis consumption lounges.

Hemp market growth despite regulatory uncertainty

The burgeoning hemp industry is another segment of the expanding cannabis market.

The legalization of industrial hemp — defined as cannabis with a THC concentration of 0.3 percent or less — through the 2018 Farm Bill led to initial investment and optimistic projections for CBD wellness products and various industrial applications. The sector’s rapid evolution also brought the rise of hemp-derived intoxicating cannabinoids, creating a market that presented both opportunities and complexities for participants.

However, after an initial boom, a lack of infrastructure and clearly defined regulations for CBD, as well as state-level variations and market oversupply, ultimately contributed to a quick retraction.

2024 was a pivotal year for the US hemp industry, as the hemp-related provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill — originally set to expire in September 2023, but extended to December 31, 2024 — created an urgent need to address critical issues like THC limits and the regulation of novel hemp-derived cannabinoids. A major point of contention was the proposed shift from defining hemp based on Delta-9 THC concentration (0.3 percent or less) to “total THC,” which includes THCA.

This change had the potential to significantly impact farmers and processors, as many hemp varieties that are compliant under the Delta-9 THC rule could exceed the 0.3 percent limit when THCA is included.

Various bills and amendments were proposed in 2024 as part of the Farm Bill discussions, each with different approaches to regulating hemp. Separate regulatory frameworks for industrial hemp and hemp grown for cannabinoids were suggested, and many states took their own action, leading to a patchwork of regulations and even outright bans.

Despite challenges, data from the US Department of Agriculture suggests signs of recovery.

The department's annual National Hemp Report from 2024 points to an 18 percent increase in industrial hemp production value between 2022 and 2023, with output growth seen in specific sectors like floral (18 percent), fiber (133 percent) and seed hemp (414 percent). The 2025 report from the Department of Agriculture indicates further expansion, with notable increases observed in both acreage (up 64 percent from 2023) and value (46 percent).

The 2024 Farm Bill ultimately did not pass, and right now the hemp industry is operating under a temporary extension of the 2018 Farm Bill under the American Relief Act of 2025, signed into law on December 21, 2024.

The 2018 Farm Bill is now set to expire on September 30, 2025.

While analysts for Markets and Markets project that the North American hemp industry will grow at a CAGR of 22.4 percent and ultimately reach a valuation of US$30.24 billion by 2029, the future of the industry will be heavily influenced by the outcome of the ongoing Farm Bill discussions.

US cannabis legalization remains stalled

Although there is clear demand for cannabis products, the now-defunct rescheduling process in the US is likely to continue casting a shadow of uncertainty over the industry's long-term trajectory.

Legal and procedural delays, including allegations of improper conduct and bias within the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), led to hearing cancellations, and the new administration of US President Donald Trump has brought leadership changes to key agencies like the DEA and the Department of Justice.

Terry Cole, who Trump nominated to be DEA administrator on February 11, has a history of opposing cannabis legalization in the country. Similarly, Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick to lead the justice department, staunchly opposed a movement to legalize medical cannabis during her tenure as Florida’s attorney general.

While there have been bipartisan efforts in Congress to end federal cannabis prohibition and establish regulations for eventual legalization, the DEA’s actions and statements indicate a potential stall or reversal of progress.

In addition to that, new research is adding complexity to the debate.

A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry this past March highlights an association between the use of high-potency cannabis strains and increased risks of psychosis, a factor that may not have been fully considered by the Department of Health and Human Services. As stronger cannabis strains become more widely available, a reassessment of their potential health risks may be required.

Investor takeaway

While the cannabis industry holds promise for growth and innovation, investors must remain acutely aware of the regulatory uncertainties and market volatility that will undoubtedly shape its trajectory in the years to come.

Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Cannabis for real-time news updates!

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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