Once again, the cannabis industry finds itself in a disappointing time when it comes to federal action, with no movement reported related to the SAFER Banking Act or any other congressional initiatives. This leaves DEA action on rescheduling as the only potential for positive change.

In our most recent webinar, Cannabis horizons: Strategies for what’s ahead, panelists discussed the potential impact of rescheduling. We heard perspectives from:

• Steven Ernest, Vice President – Originations, Chicago Atlantic Group
• David Feldman, CEO, Co-Founder, Skip Intro Advisors LLC
• Jeanne Sullivan, CIO, Arcview Ventures

Read on for highlights from the conversation. To dive deeper into these insights, access the webinar recording on-demand now.

And don’t miss our next webinar, scheduled for Jan. 16. Register now to join us.

Rescheduling: The domino effect

The DEA’s potential rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III serves as a linchpin in the industry’s optimistic trajectory. Ernest forecasted that this move is poised to triple the net cash flow for cannabis companies overnight, injecting billions into the industry. Rescheduling is the domino that would open the door for an overhaul of tax code Section 280E, fundamentally revolutionizing operations in both the short and long term. Businesses would see more innovative methods for handling taxation and allocating resources.

Political landscape: Insight and impact

In navigating the political climate, the panelists forecast federal legalization and predict significant changes in industry operations and locations. This has implications beyond maintaining compliance with regulations; the emphasis is on identifying where substantial business operations changes are likely to occur. A positive long-term outlook requires adjusting to current political trends and strategically preparing for expected regulatory changes.

Gamechangers: Prioritizing performance over red tape 

In the industry’s evolution, gamechangers lead the way. The panel encourages embracing changes “one step at a time,” emphasizing that there’s no expectation of a slowdown despite past ambiguous timelines – just a continuous march toward legalization and de-stigmatization.

Amid the ongoing, accelerating “breaking free” from regulatory limitations, the cannabis industry is on the brink of unprecedented opportunity. Stay on top of these transformative changes and their business implications to best be part of this new era of promise.