Hemp stocks, as measured by the Global Hemp Stock Index, were quite volatile in 2024 and then again in 2025 as well. The index fell 7.5% in December last year to close 15.2% lower for the year, and it was also a poor start to 2025. It hit a new all-time high of 4.97 on the last day of March, before falling back 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. The index ended September down just a little, before falling in October and even lower in November. It rose sharply in December, rising 8.4% to 6.59. While stocks rose, 13 of the index’s 28 names declined for the month.
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. It fell 14.2% in the 4th quarter and was down 4.2% for the full year.
Since its peak in February 2021, the global hemp stock index is down 92.9% from a closing high of 92.48.
The 3 strongest names in December, each an MSO, are all up more than 58%;
Each of these stocks were significantly up year-over-year, and Q4 earnings were positive for Trulieve.
December’s 3 weakest names are all down more than 8%;
All of these stocks were down year-over-year, and Q4 was brutal for each.
The index has been recalculated as of the close of 12/31/31 and is based on data as of 12/23/23. For Q1, the index will have 27 names, down from 28 names, with three removals and two additions. AFCG, LIEN and SHFS are excluded from the index. Akanda (AKAN) and cbdMD (YCBD) are rejoining the index.
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
ACOI rallied in December, rising 43.7% to 13.18. It rose 123.6% to 12.99 in the third quarter and ended the year up 57.7% year to date from 8.36. The large AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF ( MSOS ) was a big laggard, up 23.9%.
December’s strongest stock was Trulieve, which gained 61.2%. The weakest, Curaleaf (OTC: CURLF ) (TSX: CURA ), rose 10.4%.
In January, the index will have eleven members, with the additions of Ascend Wellness (OTC: AAWH ), Grown Rogue (GRUSF ), and Vireo Health (OTC: VREOF ).
Auxiliary cannabis index
Ancillary commodities rose 2.4% in December as the index reached 11.09. The index, which rose 14.5% to 12.72 in the third quarter, fell 12.8% in the fourth quarter. It decreased by 19.5% from 13.77 in 2025.
The strongest performing stock in December was NewLake Capital (OTC: NLCP ), which rose 24.1%. The weakest, Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance (NASDAQ: REFI ), fell 3.9%.
In January, the index will have the same eight members and two that are returning: iPower (NASDAQ: IPW ) and Chicago Atlantic BDC (NASDAQ: LIEN ).
Canadian Hemp LP Index
Canadian LPs rose 5.4% in December as the index fell to 59.01. The index, which increased by 78.4% in the third quarter, reaching 73.56. Declined 19.8% in Q4, but rose 17.8% in 2025 from 50.11.
The strongest Canadian LP in December was MTL Cannabis (CSE: MTL ), which jumped 62.5% after receiving a buy order. The weakest performer was Aurora Cannabis, down 10.3%.
In January, the index will have the same thirteen members.
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
Illinois released sales figures for two months recently. The data was published for the last time at the end of January. The previous report was for Cannabis for adults in May. The November document explained that the lack of data was due to the Metrc transition. Here is the updated data as of the end of February.
The state’s adult cannabis sales fell 5.1% sequentially to $110.7 million in January and then fell 5.4% sequentially in February. Annual growth was -21.0% in January and 19.8% in February, a slight improvement from the last level. Here’s a chart of adult sales over time:
After growing 106% in 2021, 13% in 2022 and 5% in 2023, annual sales for adults are set to grow 5.4% to $1.72 billion in 2024. In 2025, they decreased by 12.5% and amounted to 1.51 billion dollars, which was lower than the total figure of 2022. Two months into 2026, sales for adults are down 20.4%.
There hasn’t been an update from the state on medical cannabis in a while. The state exempts the sale separately from its medical plan, and April issue showed that sales fell 1.6% sequentially to $19.7 million, down 13.2% year over year.
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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