Cannabis News

Fed holds rates steady, but cannabis capital constraints remain unchanged

Published

2 days ago

February 1, 2026

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The Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates steady came as no surprise to financial markets, and does little to change the fundamentals that shape the cannabis industry’s access to capital.

The pause reflects recent economic data showing the balance of risks between inflation and employment, indicating that no further rate hikes are likely in the near future. For cannabis businesses operating under debt, the absence of additional squeezes provides short-term relief, even if that relief does little to change the financial reality of the industry.

“The Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates on hold was widely expected by market participants and reflects recent economic data that suggest a balance of risks between employment and inflation,” explained Anthony Coniglio, CEO of NewLake Capital Partners. “While the lack of a rate cut may be disappointing for operators hoping to reduce interest costs, the trend towards stable or lower rates should reassure that higher borrowing costs are on the table for now.”

However, Anthony noted that interest rates are not the biggest issue facing the cannabis business, as structural issues continue to take a much bigger toll on capital availability and pricing. “Frankly, the lack of rate cuts is the least of cannabis operators’ problems, as structural challenges continue to limit access to capital for the industry. The high effective tax burden under 280E, limited access to traditional banking, and the ongoing refinancing cycle continue to have a far greater impact than the Fed’s near-term stance.”

According to Anthony, the level of improvement will depend on the progress of the federal government, rather than changes in monetary policy. “Meaningful improvement will require progress on federal reform, reprogramming, tax normalization and mainstream banking,” he said. “Until then, operators will continue to rely on disciplined balance sheet management and operational efficiency.”

For real estate-focused capital providers like NewLake, current market conditions reinforce a conservative expansion strategy based on stability rather than growth. “At NewLake, we continue to focus on supporting well-capitalized operators and deploying capital prudently as the market continues to mature,” says Anthony.

For more information:
The capital city of NewLake
www.newlake.com

Related Topics:Cannabis Capital constraints Fed holds rates remain Steady unchanged

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Gavita International launches Agrolux Operating System

Published

1 hour ago

February 3, 2026

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During Fruit Logistica, Gavita International launches the future Agrolux Operating System and the LYRA modular product platform. “The latest developments highlight Gavita International’s evolution into a fully integrated solution that supports growers throughout the crop cycle,” says CEO Marc Salvany.

After the management buyout on October 1, 2025, Gavita International is led by Marc Salvany (CEO) and Ad van der Vorst (CFO). With the launch of the Agrolux Actuator System, Gavita International is presenting not only a future-ready platform, but also its new strategic location: this presentation is the basis for the future developments of the globally operating lighting systems supplier.

The launch of the Agrolux brand underlines the company’s strategic move towards a fully integrated solution for professional growers.

Agrolux Operating System
“The Agrolux Operating System is a future-proof and user-friendly platform that enables professional farmers to improve performance, efficiency and return on investment, while actively contributing to a more sustainable, circular and resilient horticultural ecosystem,” explained Marc. “It supports electrical power and wireless communication, the Horticultural Lighting Protocol (HLP), and can work seamlessly with a climate computer or standalone. The system is also fully compatible with all generations of Agrolux (LED) luminaires as well as third-party brands.”

The Agrolux Operating System has capabilities on its development page, such as AI-based lighting strategies and integration with sensors, providing advanced automation, monitoring and control for modern greenhouse operations. The Agrolux Operating System protects existing investments while enabling smarter and more sustainable farming.

LYRA: the modular product platform of the future, fully complementary to the Agrolux portfolio
Together with the Agrolux Operating System, Gavita International is proudly developing LYRA; A new modular and future product platform to support current and next generation greenhouses. “At the heart of the LYRA platform is a modular design that supports multiple applications, including multi-channel configurations to enable lighting strategies, combined with a flexible power range from 340W to 1200W, depending on the producer’s requirements.”

The LYRA is designed around a single driver housing concept that allows LED modules to be added, upgraded and adjusted, ensuring the luminaire adapts to evolving technology, regulations and grower needs. Together with LYRA, the Agrolux OS system will continue to offer renewed features and innovations to the product platform.

LYRA complements the entire Agrolux (LED) luminaire portfolio, and the Agrolux Operating System supports all generations of Agrolux (LED) luminaires. “Together, they are designed to offer the professional greenhouse grower as much as possible
flexibility and long-term certainty in a rapidly evolving technology innovation landscape.”

LYRA will initially be available in a 4-channel version.

The defining moment
“Unveiling the Agrolux Operating System and previewing LYRA at Fruit Logistic is a defining moment for our company. This presentation marks a significant and exciting chapter for Gavita International, thanks to our dedicated team and the continued support of our trusted partners and respected growers. We look forward to meeting visitors in Berlin and showcasing our new developments,” said Marc.

Live demonstration at Fruit Logistica
At Fruit Logistica 2026, Gavita International will demonstrate the Agrolux operation
System live at stand A-46 in the Dutch Pavilion (Hall 3.2), seen first hand.
LIRA

Appointments for a demonstration can be booked online.

For more information:
Gavita International
(email protected)
www.agrolux.com

Cannabis News

Ohio Attorney General Approves Referendum To Reverse Marijuana And Hemp Restrictions

Published

1 hour ago

February 3, 2026

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Ohio’s attorney general has accepted a recent submission a referendum petition to block parts of a restrictive marijuana and hemp law He said it was “misleading” to go into effect after rejecting an initial version.

“After careful review of this submission, I conclude that the title and summary are a fair and true statement of the proposed measure,” Attorney General Dave Yost (R) wrote in a letter to the petitioners on Wednesday.

“My certification of the title and abstract … should not be construed as an endorsement of the enforceability and constitutionality of the referendum petition,” he said. “My role, as executed here, is to determine whether the wording of the title and summary adequately advises the material components of a measure.”

The Ohioan-led referendum for Cannabis Choice wants it that way repealing key components of the bill the governor recently signed it Reduce the state’s voter-approved marijuana law and prohibit the sale of consumable hemp products outside of licensed cannabis dispensaries.

Yost said last month that an initial submission from the group contained “omissions and errors that would generally mislead a potential signer about the scope and effects of SB 56.” Then they presented an updated version.

Now the latest version of the band the proposal it has been accepted attorney general, efforts can begin to collect a total of around 250,000 signatures for the vote.

The office of Gov. Mike DeWine (R) and a senator who led the charge to pass SB 56 have had it He criticized the cannabis referendum campaign.

In essence, the proposed referendum would repeal the first three sections of the controversial bill DeWine signed into law in December, which he says is intended to combat the unregulated intoxicating hemp market. But the legislation would do more than limit the sale of cannabinoid products to dispensaries.

The law also criminalizes certain marijuana activities that were legalized under the 2023 ballot initiative, and would also remove anti-discrimination protections for cannabis users that were established under that law.

The governor also used his line veto powers to cancel a section of the bill that would have delayed the implementation of the hemp beverage ban.

Advocates and stakeholders vehemently protested the current legislation, arguing that it undermines the will of voters who approved cannabis legalization and would effectively wipe out the state’s hemp industry, as there is little hope that adults will choose hemp-based products over marijuana when they visit a dispensary.

The rejection spurred the newly introduced referendum, but the road to successfully blocking the law is narrow.

If activists reach the signature threshold by the deadline, which coincides with the same day the restrictive law goes into effect, SB 56 would not be enacted until voters have a chance to decide on the issue on the ballot.

A summary of the submitted referendum reads: “Sections 1, 2, and 3 of 56 Am. Sub. Sub. SB enact new provisions and amend and repeal existing provisions in the Ohio Revised Code relating to the regulation, criminalization, and taxation of cannabis products, such as the sale, use, possession, cultivation, licensing, classification, classification of marijuana, marijuana, and certain hemp products.”

“If the majority of voters vote not to approve Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Act, the approved amendments will not have any effect and the previous version of the affected laws will remain in force,” it says.

Advocates have expressed several concerns with the law, including that it would eliminate language in statutes that provide anti-discrimination protections to people who legally use cannabis. It includes safeguards against adverse action in the context of child custody rights, the ability to perform organ transplants, and professional licensing.

It would also recriminalize possession of marijuana from any source other than a state-licensed Ohio dispensary or possession of marijuana from a legal household. Because of this, people can be charged with a felony for carrying cannabis purchased from a legal Michigan store in the Michigan area.

It would also ban the smoking of cannabis in outdoor public places, such as bar patios, and ban landlords from vaping marijuana in rental properties. Violation of this latter policy, even if it involves vaping in a person’s backyard in a rental property, would be a misdemeanor offense.

The legislation would also replace what had been a regulatory framework for intoxicating hemp that the House passed with a broad ban on over-the-counter marijuana sales, following a recent federal move to recriminalize such products.

By law, hemp items containing more than 0.4 mg of total THC per container or containing synthetic cannabinoids cannot be sold outside of a licensed marijuana dispensary. That would be in line with the new federal hemp law included in an appropriations package signed by President Donald Trump.

The federal law banning most consumer hemp products has a one-year implementation window, however, and Ohio’s legislation appears likely to go into effect sooner. The Legislature approved a temporary hemp beverage regulatory program in Ohio until December 31, 2026, but the governor vetoed that provision.

The law also includes language that, if the federal government moves to legalize hemp with a higher THC content, the Ohio legislature intends to review that policy change and explore potential statewide reforms to regulate these products.

The bill’s signing came after DeWine issued emergency regulations banning the sale of hemp products for 90 dayswith instructions to the legislature to consider permanent regulations. It has been done by a county judge ordered the state to enforce that policy in response to a legal challenge.

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Meanwhile, in September, the Ohio Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) released rules for the state’s proposed marijuana legalization legislation, establishing plans to update regulations on labeling and packaging requirements.

Merchants of Ohio It sold more than $1 billion worth of legal marijuana products in 2025, according to data from the State Department of Commerce (DOC).

In March, a survey of 38 municipalities by the Ohio State University (OSU) Moritz School of Law found local leaders were “unequivocally opposed” to earlier proposals which would have cut planned funding..

Meanwhile, in Ohio, adults can buy more than double the amount of marijuana starting in June than were under previous limits, state officials determined that the market could sustainably supply patients and adult users of medical cannabis.

The governor announced his desire individually in March Marijuana tax revenue to support police training, local jails and behavioral health services. He said funding for police training was a top priority, even though it was not included when voters approved it in 2023.

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Cannabis News

Photo report: IPM Essen, technical supplier

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2026

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Almost 40,000 visitors flocked to IPM Essen last week to see the latest trends and innovations and meet familiar faces from the industry. There were almost 1,400 exhibitors at the fair, showing tulips, primroses, substrates and plant flowers. Of course, especially in Hall 3, there were many technical and substrate suppliers. And then there was us, everyone taking pictures.

Click here to see our photo report: IPM Technique

On Tuesday, the fair started quietly but positively, with high-quality visitors. Wednesday was expected to be crowded but it was quiet, probably due to the snow. On Thursday, the number of visitors increased steadily, while Friday is a quiet day. However, the end of the fair brought vividness and striking images, as visitors returned home with bags and carts full of flowers. After all, the stands still had to be emptied.

IPM Essen is also on the agenda for 2027, from January 26 to 29. According to the organizers, 85 percent of the exhibitors have already decided to participate next year.

Of course, IPM is primarily a flower and plant fair and so the FloralDaily colleagues had a lovely few days among the colorful flowers and plants now available on FloralDaily. In addition to a large Dutch delegation, there were also pavilions from Belgium, Spain, Italy and Turkey at the fair. The number of Dutch exhibitors in halls 1 and 2 was significantly lower.

Click here to see our photo report: IPM Technique

Click here to see our photo report: IPM Flowers