Nuggets: Week of December 22, 2025
Analysts React to Trump Cannabis Rescheduling Move
What's happening
Analysts and industry experts are responding to President Trump’s recent executive order directing federal authorities to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III—which could reduce tax burdens, ease research restrictions and attract investment—while noting that the change does not fully legalize cannabis and that significant challenges such as banking access and regulatory uncertainty remain.
Why it matters to you
This matters to companies selling into licensed cannabis businesses because rescheduling could improve financial conditions by allowing ordinary business deductions and making cannabis operations more attractive to larger banks, which in turn could increase capital flows for equipment, facilities and service expansion. Banking, compliance and POS software providers may see demand grow as operators prepare for shifting tax treatment, reporting requirements and broader integration with mainstream financial systems. At the same time, suppliers of cultivation, manufacturing and distribution services should be aware that full benefits depend on implementation timing and potential legal challenges, meaning opportunities may increase gradually rather than immediately.
Senate Committee Debates Cannabis Banking Reform
What's happening
Lawmakers on a U.S. Senate committee held a hearing to debate ongoing cannabis banking challenges, with witnesses and senators discussing the continued lack of safe access to financial services for state legal cannabis businesses, disagreements over the stalled SAFE Banking Act, and concerns about public safety, transparency, and financial risk caused by the industry’s reliance on cash.
Why it matters to you
This matters to companies selling into licensed cannabis businesses because limited banking access continues to restrict operators’ ability to scale, invest, and make large purchases across cultivation, manufacturing, and retail operations. Banks, payment processors, and compliance software providers are directly impacted, as uncertainty around federal reform delays wider participation while increasing the need for specialized cannabis focused financial services. Equipment suppliers, logistics firms, and technology vendors may also see slower sales cycles as operators remain cautious with capital spending under continued financial constraints.
Explainer on US Marijuana Reclassification
What's happening
President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to move marijuana out of the most restrictive Schedule I category under the Controlled Substances Act and toward Schedule III, a change that would formally acknowledge accepted medical use, reduce federal regulatory hurdles for research, and could ease tax and enforcement burdens for cannabis businesses even though recreational marijuana would remain illegal under federal law and state systems would still operate independently.
Why it matters to you
This reclassification matters to companies selling into licensed cannabis businesses because shifting marijuana to Schedule III could allow cannabis operators to take ordinary business tax deductions previously barred under federal drug law, improving cash flow and financial stability. Banks, payment processors, and compliance software providers may see increased willingness from mainstream financial institutions to serve the cannabis industry and greater demand for systems that handle new tax reporting requirements and regulatory status tracking. Cultivation equipment manufacturers, packaging suppliers, and logistics providers should watch the implementation timeline closely because easier access to capital and reduced legal risk could encourage expansion of facilities and production capacity in state-regulated markets.
New York Medical Cannabis Program Linked to Lower Opioid Use
What's happening
A newly published study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that adults with chronic pain participating in the New York State medical cannabis program reduced their prescription opioid use by about 22 percent over 18 months, suggesting that regulated, pharmacist-supervised medical cannabis can help lower opioid dependence among patients managing chronic pain.
Why it matters to you
This matters to companies selling into licensed cannabis businesses because evidence that medical cannabis can reduce opioid use may increase patient demand for medical cannabis products, supporting sales growth and encouraging deeper participation in regulated medical programs. Banks, compliance and POS software providers may see greater demand for systems that help track medical-cannabis dispensing, patient data and regulatory reporting as medical markets expand. Cultivation equipment makers, extraction and packaging suppliers, and logistics firms may benefit from increased volume and product variety as dispensaries scale to meet a potentially broader and more health-focused patient base.
Tilray Accelerates U.S. Medical Cannabis Expansion After Federal Rescheduling
What's happening
Tilray Brands announced the launch of a new subsidiary — Tilray Medical USA — to accelerate its expansion in the U.S. medical cannabis market following the federal rescheduling of cannabis, leveraging its existing global portfolio of more than 200 registered medical products, decades of compliance and research experience, and partnerships with healthcare providers to introduce medical-grade cannabis products and support clinical innovation across the country.
Why it matters to you
This matters to companies selling into licensed cannabis businesses because it signals that large multistate operators and global players are positioning for growth in federally reclassified medical markets, which could increase demand for cultivation and manufacturing equipment, compliant packaging, and product formulation services. Banking, compliance software firms, and payment processors may see heightened demand for systems that meet evolving regulatory and research-integration requirements as medical cannabis becomes more mainstream and integrated with healthcare. Additionally, logistics, testing labs, and retail support providers should watch for expanded supply-chain activity and more complex product portfolios as medical-focused operators build out infrastructure and nationwide distribution networks.
Trump Cannabis Order Could Touch Banking and CBD Medicare Coverage
What's happening
President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order directing federal agencies to accelerate the rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III—a move that not only acknowledges medical use and could ease tax and research barriers but may also include provisions affecting cannabis industry banking access and potential Medicare coverage for certain CBD products, though details remain unofficial until the order is formally announced.
Why it matters to you
This matters to companies selling into licensed cannabis businesses because the order’s potential banking language could reduce financial access barriers that currently hinder operators’ ability to open accounts, secure loans, or process payments. Compliance and banking software providers may see increased demand as operators prepare for shifts in financial services, while mainstream banks may begin cautiously engaging once regulatory risk softens. The possibility of Medicare covering regulated CBD products could also expand demand for compliant CBD product manufacturing, packaging, and retail tracking systems, benefiting extraction labs, packaging suppliers, and POS vendors.
UW-Platteville Launches Online Cannabis Career Certificates
What's happening
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville has announced six new fully online cannabis career certificate programs covering cultivation, processing, retail, compliance, business operations and safety, designed to prepare students for jobs in the expanding legal cannabis industry.
Why it matters to you
This matters to companies selling into licensed cannabis businesses because a larger pool of trained workers can help operators fill critical roles, improving operational quality and regulatory compliance across cultivation, processing, and retail. Banking, compliance, and POS software providers may see increased demand as better-trained staff adopt and manage sophisticated systems for tracking, reporting, and risk management. Cultivation equipment manufacturers, packaging vendors, and logistics providers could also benefit as a more skilled workforce enables faster expansion and smoother implementation of new technologies and workflows.