Welcome to Rise & Roll, a bi-weekly newsletter that keeps you smart, savvy, and always in the loop on the latest in cannabis.

Here’s what we have on deck for today…

1. Cannabis landscape faces major shifts in 2025

2. New York cannabis market hits one billion mark

3. NY farmers get tax break for cannabis crops

Cannabis landscape faces major shifts in 2025

With over 70% of Nebraska, voters backing medical cannabis and Trump endorsing rescheduling, 2025 is shaping up to be cannabis's breakthrough year.

• Banking reform finally looks promising under the new administration, while states like Ohio and Kentucky push ahead with expansion

• Cash-rich operators are eyeing strategic acquisitions, and industry leaders are even testing hemp-derived products

Cannabis investors, companies with multi-state experience, and healthy balance sheets look best positioned to navigate these opportunities while weathering ongoing challenges.

New York cannabis market hits one billion mark

New York just hit a milestone that should make every cannabis entrepreneur take notice: $1 billion in adult-use sales.

• The state's social equity-focused market has issued over 5,250 licenses across cultivation, retail, and processing

• Even better? They're already raking in serious tax revenue, pulling $67 million in just half a year

What's really turning heads is how New York's proving that equity and profits can coexist.

From prioritizing social equity applicants to reinvesting tax dollars into impacted communities, they're writing the playbook for how to build an inclusive AND profitable cannabis market.

NY farmers get tax break for cannabis crops

New York just made it way easier for farmers to jump into cannabis.

• Governor Hochul signed a bill that lets farmers keep their sweet agricultural tax rates even when switching to cannabis cultivation

• Before this change, farmers faced a tough choice: keep their tax breaks or grow cannabis — now they can do both.

This move shows NY is serious about bringing traditional farmers into the cannabis game, potentially adding experienced growers to the state's budding market.

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We’ll be back with another edition on Friday. See you then!

To stay up-to-date on cannabis news, visit us at riseandroll.news.