Hemp stocks, as measured by the Global Hemp Stock Index, were quite volatile in 2024 and have been in 2025 as well. The index fell 7.5% in December to close 15.2% lower for the year, and has also had a poor start to 2025. It hit a new all-time high of 4.97 on the last day of March, and then dropped in early April. The index gained 11.5% in April, but ended the second quarter from there, closing at 5.02. Q3 was strong with increases in July and August, and September, which started with a pullback, ended with another increase before pulling back on the last day. In September, the index fell slightly. It retreated further in October, falling 11.1% to 6.83.
After collapsing 21.8% in late 2024 to 6.88 in Q4, the index fell heavily in Q1 and then marginally in Q2. The global hemp stock index, which now has 28 members, fell 27% year-to-date in June. After a 53.0 percent rally in the third quarter, the index increased by 11.6 percent compared to last year. Now it has decreased by 0.7%.
Since its peak in February 2021, the global hemp stock index is down 92.6% from a closing high of 92.48.
The top 3 names all rose more than 1% in October;
Each of these shares is updated annually.
The weakest names on October 3 are all down more than 22%.
Two of these stocks are down significantly year-to-date, while Tilray is up slightly.
We will summarize the performance of the index again in a month. In April, we historically combined the two articles, and we update here the other indexes that New Cannabis Ventures continues to maintain: the American Cannabis Operator Index, the Ancillary Cannabis Index, and the Canadian Cannabis LP Index.
American Hemp Operator Index
The ACOI fell again in October, falling 6.0% to 12.21. It jumped 123.6% in Q3 to 12.99 and is now up 46.1% year-to-date, up from 8.36.
The strongest performing stock in October was Ascend Wellness (OTC: AAWH ) (CSE: AAWH.U ), which rose 8.0%. The weakest, TerrAscend (OTC: TSNDF ) (TSX: TSND ), was down 14.6% again.
In November, the index will have ten members with the addition of Vireo Health (OTC: VREOF ).
Auxiliary cannabis index
Ancillary commodities lost 13.4% in October as the index fell to 11.02. The index, which rose 14.5% to 12.72 in 3Q, is down 20.0% year-to-date from 13.77 in 2025.
The strongest performing stock in October was Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance ( REFI ), which rose 0.6%. The weakest, SHF Holdings, fell by 64.5%.
In November, the index will have eight members, with the removal of LIEN and SHFS, both of which joined in October.
Canadian Hemp LP Index
Canadian LPs fell 10.4% in October as the index fell to 65.91. The index, which increased by 78.4% in the third quarter, reaching 73.56. now up 31.5% in 2025 from 50.11 so far.
The strongest Canadian LP in October was Adastra Holdings (CSE: XTRX ), which rose 12.8%. Rubicon Organics (TSXV: ROMJ ) was the weakest, down 22.5%.
In November, the index will have thirteen members, and Cannabis Decibel (TSXV: DB) will rejoin.
Based in Houston, Alan leverages his experience as an online community founder 420 Investorthe first and still the largest due diligence platform focused on publicly traded stocks in the cannabis industry. With his extensive network in the cannabis community, Alan continues to find new ways to connect the industry and facilitate its sustainable growth. time New Cannabis Ventureshe is responsible for content development and strategic alliances. Before turning his attention to the cannabis industry in early 2013, Alan, who began his career on Wall Street in 1986, worked as an independent research analyst with more than two decades of research and portfolio management experience. A prolific writer, with over 650 articles published since 2007 Looking for Alphawhere he has 70,000 followers, Alan is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and frequent source Media including the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, Fox Business and Bloomberg TV. Contact Alan. Twitter: |: Facebook |: LinkedIn: |: El
Michigan hemp sales for february decreased compared to a year ago, as they increased sequentially by 3.4%. Sales of $234.6 million decreased by 3.0% compared to last year.
The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency breaks down sales by medical and adult use, with medical sales down 38.6% year over year to $0.4 million, down 3.8% sequentially, and adult use sales down 3.0% year over year to $234.2 million, down 3.4% sequentially.
The state breaks down sales by category and provides pricing details by category for both medical and adult;
For Adults – Use
Medical
As supply continues to expand, prices for adult flowers have plummeted. The average price of $945 a pound in January was up 1.3 percent sequentially from a record low in December and down 8.2 percent from a year ago.
Michigan hemp sales are expected to grow 82.1% to $1.79 billion in 2021, 27.9% to $2.29 billion in 2022, and 33.3% to $3.06 billion in 2023. billion In 2026, Michigan cannabis sales decreased by 5.7%.
Based in Houston, Alan leverages his experience as an online community founder 420 Investorthe first and still the largest due diligence platform focused on publicly traded stocks in the cannabis industry. With his extensive network in the cannabis community, Alan continues to find new ways to connect the industry and facilitate its sustainable growth. time New Cannabis Ventureshe is responsible for content development and strategic alliances. Before turning his attention to the cannabis industry in early 2013, Alan, who began his career on Wall Street in 1986, worked as an independent research analyst with more than two decades of research and portfolio management experience. A prolific writer, with over 650 articles published since 2007 Looking for Alphawhere he has 70,000 followers, Alan is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and frequent source Media including the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, Fox Business and Bloomberg TV. Contact Alan. Twitter: |: Facebook |: LinkedIn: |: El
AWH Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results
Q4 2025 and Q4 2025 revenue were $120.5 million and $500.6 million
Expanded adjusted EBITDA margin1 to 25.1% in 2025. in the fourth quarter and 23.4% in 2025. for the financial year.
Maintained strong liquidity with $85.7 million in cash and no significant short-term debt
The retail footprint grows to 48 locations as consolidation continues
NEW YORK, March 12, 2026. /PRNewswire/ – Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. (“AWH”, “Ascend” or the “Company”) (CSE: AAWH-U.CN) (OTCQX: AAWH), a multinational, vertically integrated cannabis operator, today reported its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2025. Financial results are presented in US dollars in all currencies and under GAAP.
Q4 & FY 2025 Business Highlights
Implemented a consolidation strategy throughout 2025, opening eight new dispensaries, expanding market presence and expanding retail footprint to 48 locations to date, including partner-owned and operated locations.
Ascend opened its first social capital partner store in Little Falls, New Jersey with Mister Jones, LLC in Q4 2025. The company has also been approved by the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission for a second Social Capital partner store, which will be located in Eatontown, New Jersey and is expected to begin operations in April 2026.
During the first quarter of 2026 (“Q1 2026”), AWH opened its sixth store in Ohio and an additional partner owned and operated in Illinois. In addition, the Company closed an unsuccessful store in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The retail development pipeline includes 12 new sites, bringing the total number of Company-owned and partner-owned and -operated dispensaries to 60, pending regulatory approvals.
Developed and launched a record 566 SKUs in fiscal year 2025, including 146 in Q4 2025, exceeding the initial goal of 550 SKUs for the year, including;
Debut of two new brands: High Wired infused flower and Honor Roll high quality prenglers made with 100% flower.
Expanding formats, flavors and formulations across nearly all product lines, including Effin’ effects-based gummies and vapors, High Wired sugar caps and Simply Herb single-use vapors, with multiple new launches ranked among AWH’s best-selling SKUs for Q4 2025.
Ultra Limited Ozone King Edition of Ozone Liquid Diamonds and Queen Cola.
Quarter after quarter, in Q1 2026, AWH unveiled an extensive brand and quality transformation of its flagship lifestyle brand Ozone, featuring an updated visual identity, elevated product standards, innovative packaging and enhanced consumer engagement. The relaunch has begun in Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, with other major markets to follow in the coming quarters. The evolution of Ozone will see the launch of a number of new products, including the brand’s first full-spectrum gum, as well as new macrodose gum and additional flower and vapor offerings.
Retained a position among the top three brand houses by both sales and units in Illinois, Massachusetts and New Jersey3 combined through fiscal year 2025, reinforcing market leadership with an expanded portfolio of products and brands. Delivering a fully integrated e-commerce ecosystem that combines a redesigned shopping platform and app with AI-driven personalization, Ascend Pay payment functionality and an enhanced loyalty program, marking a major milestone in AWH’s customer-first strategy.
Sales through Ascend Pay increased 49.4% from the third quarter of 2025 (“Q3 2025”) to the fourth quarter of 2025, driven by a 51.5% increase in transactions and a 57.8% increase in units sold at retail locations owned and operated by Ascend and partners.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, total membership of the Ascenders Club loyalty program increased by 56%, and active members increased by 23.7% sequentially. Loyalty members accounted for 88% of retail transactions, up 16% at Ascend retail locations.
Strengthened capital structure by fully repaying the Company’s $60.0 million term loan through a $50.0 million private placement of 12.75% Senior Secured Notes4 due 2029 and $10.0 million in cash, completing its broader refinancing initiative in three quarters and with $9 million in secured assets in the 2025 quarter. competitive 8.5% interest rate maturing in September 2030 to support disciplined growth and retail expansion.
A common course issuer bid (“NCIB”) share buyback program (“Buyback Program”) has been successfully completed.
The Company has repurchased and retired approximately 15.8 million shares at an average price of $0.32 per share5 beginning in the fourth quarter of 2024, when the Purchase Program was initiated.
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friends,
Earnings season kicked off this week, and so far it’s been a mixed bag. Green Thumb Industries beat expectations, while Trulieve missed. Cronos Group also missed adjusted EBITDA despite falling revenue.
What’s most interesting to me about these quarterly reports are the updates we get in documents or press releases. A large category is share buybacks that are done.
GTI, which has a strong balance sheet, especially compared to other MSOs, has bought back more inventory. Cronos Group, which is cash- and debt-free, also bought some shares in November and December. These shares were acquired at close to tangible book value.
Trulieve did not report the share buyback, but the 10-K disclosed a 2025 bonus announced on 2/24 for CEO Rivers. The company has net cash, but its tangible book value is very negative and has deteriorated. The company does not buy back shares.
Ascend is set to report Q4 financials on 3/12 and it will be interesting to see if this very cheap stock company continues to buy back shares. The company has negative tangible book value, and the GTI 10-K disclosed that Ascend paid a $17 million penalty to GTI on 2/12, so I don’t expect it to be as aggressive with buybacks.
Stock buybacks seem like a good thing, especially when valuations are so low. However, investors should be wary of hemp companies buying back shares when they have balance sheet challenges.
Sincerely,
Alan:
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Based in Houston, Alan leverages his experience as an online community founder 420 Investorthe first and still the largest due diligence platform focused on publicly traded stocks in the cannabis industry. With his extensive network in the cannabis community, Alan continues to find new ways to connect the industry and facilitate its sustainable growth. time New Cannabis Ventureshe is responsible for content development and strategic alliances. Before turning his attention to the cannabis industry in early 2013, Alan, who began his career on Wall Street in 1986, worked as an independent research analyst with more than two decades of research and portfolio management experience. A prolific writer, with over 650 articles published since 2007 Looking for Alphawhere he has 70,000 followers, Alan is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and frequent source Media including the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, Fox Business and Bloomberg TV. Contact Alan. Twitter: |: Facebook |: LinkedIn: |: El
