SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Bianchi & Brandt, a full-service corporate law firm with expertise in highly regulated industries such as cannabis, has published A Corporate Law Perspective on The Great Correction in Cannabis M&A, its proprietary trend report on the financial realities of an industry expected to top $34 billion this year. Driven by the impactful insights of founding partners Laura A. Bianchi and Justin M. Brandt, who have more than 15 years of experience in the nascent cannabis industry, this report assesses the current mergers and acquisitions environment, reflects on the impact of regulatory changes to federal legality—including access to traditional banking—and takes a deep look at the viability of U.S. cannabis operators and global investors who are fueling the industry.
The Great Correction is particularly relevant in light of the Senate Banking Committee’s recent landmark 14-9 vote on the SAFER Banking Act and the recent rescheduling recommendation from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Key takeaways from The Great Correction trend report include:
- The impact of exaggerated brand valuations in the early days of the legal cannabis industry
- M&A activity returns market conditions to a more grounded environment
- All U.S. business sectors, including cannabis, are powered by small-and medium-sized businesses
- Cannabis’ current hottest M&A targets are emerging markets, cultivation and retail licenses
- Federal policy reforms necessary to bolster the M&A confidence index are finally moving in a positive direction
“The Great Correction is really all-encompassing,” Brandt says. “It applies to the cannabis industry’s initial frenzy of loose valuations with handshake deals that marked the start of the cannabis boom. The industry has since been invigorated by possible reform in cannabis policy at the federal level for the first time.”
A Corporate Law Perspective on The Great Correction in Cannabis M&A is available for free download.
About Bianchi & Brandt
Bianchi & Brandt offer a full suite of legal and strategic services tailored to the unique needs of complex industries, including cannabis. Bianchi & Brandt has served as a strategic partner to their clients and assisted not only with legal matters, but also risk management, compliance, M&A and other business challenges. bianchibrandt.com
