Good morning.
At 10 AM Eastern today, we’re launching our partnership with the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE).
Those that follow the industry closely know the critical role the CSE played — and continues to play — in the cannabis industry. Our inaugural guest is Zachary George, CEO of SNDL. $SNDL.CSE ( ▼ 2.11% )
Let’s get to it.
-CC, JR
Today’s newsletter is 764 words or about a 5.5-minute read.
THIS NEWSLETTER MADE POSSIBLE BY:
💬 Quotable
"North Carolina’s cannabis marketplace has been characterized as a 'Wild West' landscape. North Carolinians – including our youth – can legally purchase intoxicating hemp-derived products devoid of any potency limits, standardized laboratory testing, or clear labeling requirements, raising significant and widespread concerns regarding consumer safety, youth access, and public health," said the April 2 report from North Carolina's Advisory Council Cannabis, which recommended a regulator structure for the state's hemp market, while also legalizing cannabis.
Governor Josh Stein called for legalization following the report's release.
LIT ALERTS*
📈 March 2026 New York Brand Power Rankings
Today we're featuring the Updated March 2026 Brand Power Rankings for the New York cannabis market, calculated by the Lit Alerts team based on March 2026 data.
To calculate this ranking, a weighted index is used that integrates estimated unit sales and estimated dollar value to assess overall demand, while factoring in share of shelf, distribution points, and the frequency of product discounts.
Here’s what the New York Brand Power Rankings show:
Stability remains at the very top of the list. Despite the shifting landscape below them, the heavy hitters are successfully defending their territory.
ayrloom holds firm at the #1 spot. Their dominance in New York remains unchallenged this month.
MFNY solidifies its reputation for consistency, maintaining its #3 ranking.
Dank. by definition. and Off Hours both held onto their #5 and #6 spots
Several brands made aggressive double-digit or high-single-digit leaps, likely driven by expanded retail footprints or successful new product drops.
Curaleaf Brands (Anthem, Find, & Select) had a powerhouse month. Anthem jumped 6 spots to #28, Find surged 6 spots to #14, and Select moved up 6 spots to #18.
1937 was the highest jump of the month, skyrocketing 8 spots to #33.
To The Moon wasn't far behind climbing 7 spots to land at #38.
1906 rebounded well, climbing 5 spots to #39.
This was a relatively quiet month for new entrants in the Top 50.
Umamii #46 and Jetty #47
*To learn more about Lit Alerts and get a special offer only available to Cultivated readers, visit litalerts.com.
⏩ Quick hits
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser proposed legislation that would allow local breweries to partner with medical cannabis dispensaries to produce THC beverages, in the hopes of clearing an ongoing manufacturing bottleneck in the district's medical cannabis market.
A bill that would have legalized consumption lounges in Maine failed to survive the state's House of Representatives, which voted to kill the measure on Monday.
Maine's legislature is days away from considering yet another attempt to require the state's medical market to submit to lab testing. Maine remains one of the few legal state markets with limited testing requirements – only adult-use producers must submit to them.
The Massachusetts legislature approved a bill that would double the legal limit for possession up to 2 oz., while also narrowing the state's Cannabis Control Commission from five to three members, while also reshaping the commission's authorities.
🤝 Deals, launches, partnerships
Green Thumb Industries and Cresco Labs are among those who were granted conditional licenses in Texas' medical cannabis market expansion on April 1. In terms of MSOs, the former two companies join Trulieve and Verano who were granted preliminary approval last December.
Vireo Growth announced a new partnership with minority-owned Ace Ventures to enter the state's medical market.
👨⚖️ Lawsuits
Seven years after Illinois legalized adult-use, the final applicant who sued the court after missing out in the license lottery had their day in court last week, marking the beginning of the end for a years-long process that more and more state markets face when launching legal cannabis.
📰 What we’re reading
Local View: Minnesota can learn from others in decriminalizing cannabis | Duluth News Tribune