You are reading this week’s edition of New Cannabis Ventures, a weekly magazine we have published since October 2015. The newsletter includes unique insight to help our readers stay ahead of the curve, as well as links to the most important news of the week. We no longer email them like we used to, but post this and all newsletters on our website here.
friends,
This week, Scotts Miracle-Gro, the largest stock in the Global Hemp Stock Index by market capitalization, announced that it has found a buyer for its Hawthorne Gardening Company business in Vireo Growth. This news first appeared in an online article published by the Wall Street Journaland then Vireo issued a press release like Scotts Miracle-Gro, which also reported in its fiscal 1st quarter.
The deal is not a done deal. Vireo called it a “non-binding memorandum of understanding” but did not discuss the terms of the deal or when it might close. Scotts Miracle-Gro, which had already told investors it was working on this type of deal, did not disclose Hawthorne’s financial results for the 1st quarter. Analysts didn’t really ask any questions about it during the conference. The WSJ article said Vireo is giving Scotts Miracle-Gro 13% of its stock in return, but neither company has disclosed that in their press releases or SEC filings.
I include SMG in my 420 Investor Focus List, but Vireo is not a member of that group. Vireo also failed to qualify for the Global Cannabis Stock Index due to its low trading volumes. As I detailed five weeks ago, The Vireo has grown very large in terms of revenue and its geographic focus. The stock was then at $0.625 and is now lower, closing at $0.55. On Christmas Eve, the decline was 12.0%, while the MSOS fell 10.1%.
Maybe investors are interested in this deal and I’m not. First, it’s not a done deal. Second, to purchase Hawthorne, the investor must assume 280E taxation risk. Third, the price seems high, as 13% of the company is worth about $75 million. Fourth, it’s not clear to me that marrying a hemp operator with a subsidiary makes sense as I recall TILT Holdings.
I have followed Hawthorne Gardening for a long time and am glad that CEO Hagedorn and his team have gone ahead and purchased it and expanded it. The hemp industry has been struggling for about five years, and the big drop in Hawthorne Gardening’s revenue is not SMG’s fault in my opinion. It’s not clear to me how Vireo Growth will make it a better action, but I hope it has a good plan.
I continue to believe that investors should pay close attention to what is happening with shares in Vireo. This potential acquisition was not something that was discussed by analysts or investors, but today’s volume of 277 thousand shares was very low. Once again, Vireo, thanks to its aggressive M&A activity, has become the 7th largest MSO in the NCV Revenue Tracker. It remains very troubling to me that stocks are not earning a lot of interest.
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
Verano Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results
The company delivered sequential revenue and margin improvement within guidance in the fourth quarter; closes 2025 with the top three market share positions1 in all competing categories
The newly announced $195 million credit facility demonstrates the Company’s ability to access lower cost capital and secure some of the industry’s most favorable terms, including maturity and prepayment flexibility and an initial interest rate of 9.5% per annum.
CHICAGO, March 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Verano Holdings Corp. (Cboe CA: VRNO) (OTCQX: VRNO) (“Verano” or the “Company”), a leading multinational cannabis company, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025, prepared in accordance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“US GAAP”).
Financial highlights for the fourth quarter and full year of 2025
New Cannabis Ventures’ NCV Newswire aims to gather high-quality content and information about leading cannabis companies to help our readers filter through the noise and stay on top of the most important cannabis business news. The NCV Newswire is edited by an editor and is not, however, automated. Got a secret news tip? Get in touch.
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.
New Cannabis Ventures’ NCV Newswire aims to gather high-quality content and information about leading cannabis companies to help our readers filter through the noise and stay on top of the most important cannabis business news. The NCV Newswire is edited by an editor and is not, however, automated. Got a secret news tip? Get in touch.
Cresco Labs Delivers Q3 2025 Revenue of $162M and Sequential Margin Improvement
CHICAGO – (BUSINESS WIRE) – Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) (FSE: 6CQ) (“Cresco Labs” or the “Company”), an industry leader in branded cannabis products with a portfolio of America’s most popular brands and operator of Sunnyside dispensaries, today announced its financial and operating results for the 2nd quarter ended December 31 and year-end. In accordance with U.S. GAAP and in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted, and is available on the Company’s investor website here.
Highlights of FY2025
Revenue: $656 million. Operating cash flow of $73 million and free cash flow¹ of $38 million.
Gross profit: $325 million. Adjusted gross profit¹ $329 million; and an adjusted gross margin of 50.2%¹.
SG&A $218 million. Adjusted SG&A¹ decreased 5.7% year-over-year to $200 million, or 30.4%.
A net loss of $140 million, which included one-time, non-cash charges of $105 million related to the Company’s intangible assets and goodwill impairment related to the impairment of the New York reporting unit and fair value adjustments to the California reporting unit related to the sale of Sonoma’s Finest.
Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $157 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin¹ of 24.0%.
It maintained the #1 equity position in multi-billion dollar markets throughout the year.²
$83 million gross profit. Adjusted gross profit¹ $84 million; and adjusted gross margin¹ of 52.2%.
SG&A of $57 million or 35.3% of revenue.
A net loss of $89 million, which included a one-time, non-cash charge of $93 million related to the write-off of the New York reporting unit.
Fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA¹ of $40 million and adjusted EBITDA margin¹ of 25.0%.
Maintained #1 stock position in multi-billion dollar markets
Management Commentary
“In the fourth quarter, we strengthened our financial foundation, expanding margins and generating significant cash flow. We delivered $162 million in revenue, $40 million in adjusted EBITDA and $27 million in operating cash flow, with consistent improvements in multiple profitability metrics. Our focused strategy continues to enhance our competitive position.”
“The cannabis industry is consolidating in real time, and Cresco Labs is operating from a strong position. we continue to show that we win where we operate. We are intentionally building an efficient money-generating platform by balancing organic expansion with selective, active acquisitions while maintaining a strong balance sheet. With leading brand name brand stock, distinctive retail stock. it is positioned to capitalize on industry consolidation and federal reform to create long-term shareholder value.”
¹See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” at the end of this press release for additional information on the Company’s use of non-GAAP financial measures. ²According to Hoodie Analytics.
Balance sheet, liquidity and other financial information
As of December 31, 2025, current assets were $259 million, including cash, cash equivalents and $91 million of restricted cash. An additional $3 million of restricted cash was classified as a non-current asset. The Company had $311 million of secured term loan debt net of discount and issuance costs and $19 million of mortgage loan debt net of discount and issuance costs. Total shares outstanding on a fully converted basis were 491,585,556 subordinate voting shares as of December 31, 2025.
Conference call and webcast
The Company will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss its financial results on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (7:30 a.m. Central Time). The conference call can be accessed via webcast or by dialing 1-833-470-1428 (US toll-free) or 1-646-844-6383 (US local) and providing access code 152399. Archived access to the webcast will be available for one year on Cresco Labs’ investor website here.
New Cannabis Ventures’ NCV Newswire aims to gather high-quality content and information about leading cannabis companies to help our readers filter through the noise and stay on top of the most important cannabis business news. The NCV Newswire is edited by an editor and is not, however, automated. Got a secret news tip? Get in touch.
