Category: Financial

With the current push for the legalization of recreational cannabis across several states, the cannabis industry is being forced to face difficult choices with respect to banking options. Of course, marijuana remains illegal under federal law and is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. This…

With so many traditional financial services being unavailable for cannabis industry participants, it’s almost shocking to see a company that is willing to openly embrace entrepreneurs in this federally illegal space. But as the industry gains wider mainstream acceptance, financial institutions and investment firms are slowly opening their doors to…

With legalization on the horizon in Canada, industry observers are increasingly concerned with how cannabis-related businesses, particularly licensed producers, will access the funds they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive recreational market. To date, this has come largely in the form of equity financing. Since the…

If you ask anybody involved in legal cannabis about their biggest concerns for the industry, banking will certainly be one of the top answers. It’s been an ongoing and much-talked-about issue for years — and escalating with every new state that implements a regulated medical or recreational program — yet…

Lately, I have had the pleasure of working with several innovative and rapidly growing companies that are poised to have a significant impact on the industry. One of the common components to their success has been the early development of a dynamic financial model that accurately reflects the key elements…

One of the biggest challenges for marijuana-related businesses is obtaining access to banking and other financial services. As long as marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, many banks, credit unions, lenders and other financial institutions will continue to remain wary of the industry, no matter how many states legalize…

As prospective cannabis entrepreneurs attempt to understand state and local regulations — while putting together business plans and marketing strategies — many attorneys across the country are scrambling to do the same. After all, the marijuana business and its complex regulations weren’t exactly taught at law school. After working at…

In more ways than geography, Canada is “higher” than the United States. Since the 2015 election of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, investors globally have had an eye on Canada. In April, the Liberal government introduced a measure to legalize cannabis; investor confidence is soaring; Canadian cannabis stocks continue to trade…

Do you or your business owe taxes you can’t pay? Have you received a collection notice from the IRS or had your bank accounts garnished? First, file all your tax returns. People often delay filing tax returns if it will result in a tax bill they are unable to pay,…

Starting a cannabis business legally under state law requires owners to consider a wide range of possible challenges. Some of the major considerations include possible federal enforcement issues if the DEA changes its stance regarding the Cole Memo; concerns with banking because many FDIC-insured banks do not want to handle…