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📈 Keep Calm and Carry On 📈

📈 Keep Calm and Carry On 📈

William McNarland & Anthony Varrell
July 03, 2024

GM Everyone,

We are at a major inflection point in terms of sentiment, as it seems like people are starting to hang on every headline. I’m going to make this short and sweet. Take the rest of the week off and enjoy the holiday with family and friends if you are in the States, and if you’re north of the border, enjoy the calm of the States being on holiday for the rest of the week.

See you all on the other side.

Today’s letter can be read in 7 minutes and 22 seconds.

What's Driving the Market Today?

Stock futures are flat and still holding to to record highs:

Fed's Powell reassures on economy, calming bond markets.
Tesla shares soar 10% after Q2 delivery report.
Dow hits one-month high, Nasdaq sets record.
Big U.S. banks cautious on shareholder payouts post-stress tests.
Key U.S. labor market data and Fed meeting minutes anticipated.

💸 High Impact

Marimed Adult Use Footprint Grows

The What - MariMed Inc. (CSE: MRMD, OTCQX: MRMD) has made significant progress in its strategic plan with key acquisitions and regulatory approvals. The company has been strategically expanding its footprint in high-growth markets such as Maryland and Massachusetts. MariMed’s acquisition of Medleaf in Prince George’s County, Maryland, is a notable step in expanding its dispensary operations. Medleaf, now branded as Thrive Wellness, was closed since July 1, 2023, and MariMed plans to reopen it for adult-use sales by the end of the second quarter, pending regulatory approvals. This dispensary will be MariMed’s second adult-use location in Maryland, adding to its existing dispensary in Annapolis and its cultivation and processing facility in Hagerstown. According to Jon Levine, MariMed’s Chief Executive Officer, “We are thrilled to announce the closing of this acquisition. Maryland is a fantastic, high-growth, adult-use market. Maximizing our footprint there has long been one of our top strategic priorities, and this agreement gets us closer to that goal.”

The Upper Marlboro dispensary will offer a diverse range of products from MariMed’s brands, including Nature’s Heritage, Betty’s Eddies, Bubby’s Baked, Vibations, and InHouse. These products are already distributed across nearly all dispensaries in Maryland, ensuring a broad market presence. Furthermore, MariMed has received state approval to expand its cultivation facility in Hagerstown, allowing it to meet the high demand for its products in the state.

In Massachusetts, MariMed has achieved a significant milestone with the approval for adult-use sales at its Quincy Panacea Wellness dispensary. The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission granted this approval, making it MariMed’s third adult-use dispensary in the state. Adult-use sales commenced on July 2, 2024, transforming the previously medical-only location into a comprehensive retail outlet. MariMed’s branded products are available in over 200 dispensaries in Massachusetts, a market that reported $1.8 billion in total cannabis sales in 2023.

MariMed has also secured a provisional dual-use license in Ohio, allowing the addition of recreational sales to its medical dispensary in Tiffin. This approval is a crucial step toward expanding its operations in Ohio, pending a final state inspection. Jon Levine expressed his satisfaction with these regulatory milestones, stating, “We are thrilled with the number of positive regulatory developments that we have achieved over the past week. Many of these have been in the works for more than a year and only the Hagerstown expansion was included in our 2024 financial outlook. Having these assets potentially coming online in the near future is a very positive development for MariMed.”

The Why - The company’s strategic expansion and acquisitions in Maryland and Massachusetts reflect its commitment to growing its market share in high-growth markets. The company’s approach includes acquiring additional dispensaries and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals to maximize its presence. The distribution of its branded products across multiple dispensaries further enhances MariMed’s market penetration and brand recognition.

Regulatory approvals in Massachusetts, Maryland, and Ohio are key for MariMed’s growth, with new dispensaries and expanded cultivation, MariMed is set to meet rising demand and increase its future revenue inline with past guidance from management.

📈 Dog Walkers

Schwazze Moves to OTC Expert Market

Schwazze (OTCQX: SHWZ) has announced its transition to the OTC Expert Market. The company also provided an update on its delayed filing, indicating steps are being taken to address the issue promptly. This move is aimed at enhancing shareholder value and improving transparency with its investors.

Dispute Among Marijuana Activists Over Big Tobacco Involvement

A rift has emerged among marijuana activists regarding accusations that a regulatory group wrongfully hosted an organization backed by Big Tobacco. The controversy centers on the ethics and implications of Big Tobacco’s involvement in marijuana industry discussions, highlighting ongoing tensions within the cannabis advocacy community.

German Marijuana Clubs Begin Operations

Germany’s legalization law has officially taken effect, allowing marijuana clubs to launch under varying state regulations. This marks a significant step in Germany’s cannabis reform, providing a regulated framework for the establishment and operation of marijuana clubs across the country.