EXCLUSIVE: Only 27% Of Cannabis Businesses Are Profitable, Economist Says

The cannabis industry’s financial health and future were at the forefront of conversations during the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference. Beau Whitney, founder and chief economist at Whitney Economics, shared his insights on the growing significance of debt financing in the cannabis space and his analysis of the industry’s overall financial health.

Debt Financing: A Growing Focus

Whitney highlighted the increasing reliance on debt as the primary means of financing within the cannabis sector. "There's a lot of debt versus equity. A lot of debt right now. It's heavy on the debt side," he noted, indicating that the trend toward debt-based financing has become more prominent.

Whitney presented during the conference, offering data on how much debt is necessary to finance the cannabis industry through 2035. "This puts a number on the amount of investment opportunity that there is," Whitney said, emphasizing the importance of understanding the scale of financial requirements for the industry's future growth. He believes this analysis is of value to the attendees, many of whom are investment and business leaders in the cannabis space.

Cannabis Industry Financial Health

Whitney also shared findings from a recent report published by Whitney Economics, focusing on the cash flow challenges facing many operators. "A lot of the cannabis operators are tight on cash flow and almost negative. Only 27.3% of the survey respondents said they were profitable," he explained. The data paints a stark picture of many businesses’ difficulties, though Whitney pointed out that there are glimmers of hope. "A larger number are breaking even. And so hooray, but still."

This report, which closely examines cash flow, delinquent payments, and regulatory issues, serves as a barometer of the cannabis industry’s financial health. Whitney's assessment offers a sobering view of the challenges cannabis companies are facing in the current market environment.

Expanding Global Insights

In addition to his U.S.-focused analysis, Whitney is expanding his research to global markets. "I have a presence globally. And so now I'm starting to expand that analysis to the European, South American, and African markets," Whitney said.

He aims to build upon the foundation he has developed over the past decade in the U.S. and apply the same methodologies to assess the health of cannabis markets internationally.

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Don’t miss your chance to be part of Cannabis Market Spotlight: California in Anaheim on Nov. 12. Whether you’re looking to connect with industry leaders, explore investment opportunities, or gain the latest insights into California’s market, this event has it all. Secure your spot today!

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