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. NCAA athletes find new pain relief option

2. Cannabis companies swap quantity for quality

3. CBD shows promise for autism treatment

NCAA athletes find new pain relief option

College athletics just opened a major new market for cannabis products. Research from Jacksonville State University confirms marijuana's effectiveness for managing pain, reducing muscle spasms, and improving sleep in NCAA athletes.

With the NCAA's removal of cannabis from banned substances, this creates immediate opportunities for:

• Sports recovery product lines targeting young athletes

• University partnerships for clinical research

• Educational resources for athletic departments

The study specifically notes cannabis can "improve oxygenation of tissues" and offers "anti-inflammatory properties" that aid recovery.

For cannabis executives, this represents a significant shift in how sports organizations view cannabis — moving from prohibition to potential partnership.

Cannabis companies swap quantity for quality

Cannabis mergers dropped 33% in 2024, with deals totaling $1.16 billion compared to $1.74 billion last year.

The shift comes as companies abandon the old "land grab" approach. Rather than racing to plant flags in every state, smart operators are now focusing on building depth in fewer markets.

"You have to have concentration in a market to really be profitable," explains Frank Colombo from Viridian Capital. "Being an inch deep and a mile wide doesn't work."

For cannabis executives, the winning strategy is to:

• Build vertical integration in your strongest markets rather than expanding thinly across states

• Look for intrastate acquisition opportunities where you already operate

• Prioritize operational efficiency over geographic expansion

The future looks like an hourglass — with mega-companies at the top, craft operators at the bottom, and few in the middle.

CBD shows promise for autism treatment

A fresh scientific review finds CBD-rich cannabis may help people with autism spectrum disorder.

The research shows improvements in anxiety, sleep quality, and behavior for many patients.

"Preliminary findings suggest CBD-rich formulations may provide modest benefits for sleep and social interaction," reports the study published in Cureus.

The side effects were mostly mild, with drowsiness being the most common issue. Researchers noted that CBD works with the body's endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in brain development and social behavior.

While the results look promising, scientists say we need larger studies before making firm conclusions about using cannabis for autism treatment.

For cannabis brands focused on medical products, this emerging research opens exciting possibilities to develop targeted formulations for the autism community.

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

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