August 2025 Newsletter

• Minnesota is rapidly becoming one of the hottest cannabis markets in the country. With billions in projected sales, thousands of licenses already issued, and urgent demand for commercial space, brokers and landlords are finding themselves at the center of a fast-moving land rush. Here’s why now is the time to pay attention.
• Federal cannabis policy is once again in the spotlight. With talk of rescheduling gaining momentum, myths and misunderstandings are swirling. What would a move to Schedule III really mean for operators, investors, and consumers? This section unpacks the facts behind the headlines.
• The U.S. cannabis market continues to scale at historic speed. New state rollouts, rising consumer demand, and shifting federal sentiment are driving double-digit annual growth. The latest research points to a $90+ billion legal market on the horizon, with big opportunities for those positioned early.
• From New Jersey to Illinois to Minnesota, state-level changes are reshaping cannabis real estate in real time. Lounges, adaptive reuse projects, and even municipal stores are influencing how investors, brokers, and developers approach the market. Below are some of the most important developments this month.
• At CannaMLS, we’re always looking for ways to amplify your listings. This month, we’re making it easier than ever to connect with buyers by sharing every listing directly to our Facebook community. More eyes, more engagement, and more offers — all with zero extra effort from you.

REJournals reports that Minnesota’s recreational market is projected near $1.5 billion and is moving fast. In June, 3,535 licenses were issued statewide, and 95% percent of those operators now need commercial space to launch.

Demand spans outdoor and indoor cultivation, manufacturing, extraction, and retail. Operators are seeking agricultural, industrial, and storefront retail footprints that can be leased or purchased on tight timelines, with strong power, security, and compliance readiness.

Broker capacity is emerging as a key limiting factor for Minnesota licensees seeking professional real estate help. Multiple real estate firms are actively hiring commercial brokers, a signal that activity is heating up across the state. For landlords and sellers, well located agricultural and industrial assets are likely to see more tours and offers in the months ahead.

Source

REjournals, “Green Rush: Minnesota’s 1.5 billion cannabis market needs brokers now,” August 13, 2025

With President Trump indicating that his administration is “looking at” rescheduling marijuana—and signaling a decision in the near future—the stakes are high for the cannabis industry. Dentons’ Cannabis Group unpacks 10 of the most persistent misunderstandings, offering clarity on what a shift from Schedule I to Schedule III would—and would not—mean for businesses, consumers, and regulators nationwide.

A move to Schedule III would affirm cannabis’s accepted medical use and lower abuse potential, enabling more research and easing burdensome tax implications like IRS Section 280E—thus improving profitability and investor appeal for state-legal operators. However, cannabis would remain a controlled substance, still requiring DEA registration, and state programs would continue operating outside federal legality under existing protections. Over time, legislative action may allow harmonization or even broader reform, but that remains years away.

Critics worry that rescheduling hands over the market to Big Pharma. In reality, while Schedule III status may facilitate drug development through traditional pharmaceutical channels, state medical and adult-use systems are expected to persist. Other misconceptions include beliefs that rescheduling eliminates state programs, instantly legalizes recreational use, or removes DEA regulatory hurdles—none of which are accurate.

What’s next : If the DEA proceeds, formal rulemaking may require notice and comment—but could, in theory, be bypassed under treaty compliance rules. Meanwhile, stakeholders await clarity on how rescheduling might affect investments, leasing, and bankruptcy protections. In short, rescheduling could provide important relief and institutional recognition, but it won’t instantly reshape the operational or legal landscape to the degree recent headlines are claiming.

Source

Dentons: “Rescheduling Misconceptions and Responses,” published August 12, 2025

Market Outlook: U.S. cannabis sales projected to surpass $90+ billion by 2033 as legalization momentum builds coast to coast.

According to Research and Markets’ latest U.S. Cannabis Market Legalization report, rapid expansion of state-level programs, combined with shifting federal sentiment, is fueling historic growth across the industry. Driven by adult-use rollouts, broader patient access in medical markets, and rising consumer adoption, total sales are forecasted to grow at a compound annual rate of more than 10% through the end of the decade.

Growth hotspots include California, New York, and Texas, where evolving regulatory frameworks and large consumer bases are unlocking significant opportunities for both multistate operators and local entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, states like Maryland and Missouri are showcasing the economic power of new adult-use programs, which each generated over $1 billion in retail sales their first year.

Key takeaways:

• Federal rescheduling could ease banking, taxation, and research restrictions, further accelerating investment.
• Retail consolidation and M&A are expected to intensify as competition grows.
• Consumer preferences are shifting toward premium flower, infused beverages, and wellness-driven products.

Overall, the researchers highlight that U.S. cannabis is moving from fragmented early adoption into a maturing, nationally scaled industry—positioned to attract broader institutional capital and shape the next generation of cannabis titans.

Source

 Research and Markets: “United States Cannabis Market Legalization Report”

New Jersey: Consumption Lounges Begin Operations, Boosting Retail Foot Traffic

• New Jersey regulators highlighted consumer guidance as consumption lounges began welcoming guests, complementing nearby dispensaries and reshaping foot traffic.
• Lounge operators are focusing on hospitality, drawing longer visits and higher basket sizes through comfort, entertainment, and education. That uplift can support nearby retail clusters, restaurants, and mixed use developments.
• For brokers and developers, the model points to opportunities for zoning compliant, hospitality forward spaces that anchor cannabis adjacent corridors in tourism and entertainment districts.

Illinois: Vacant Restaurants Reborn as Cannabis Destinations

• Chicago’s North Side is seeing a creative real estate pivot with night-owl restaurants turned into dispensaries, including a legendary Lincoln Park eatery now housing Umi Dispensary.
• Repurposing these buildings keeps vibrant streetscapes alive, avoids demolition, and captures retail momentum in dense neighborhoods. The blend of familiar architecture and cannabis use creates welcoming entry points for new consumers.
• This trend signals opportunities for adaptive reuse deals, neighborhood leasing, and placemaking strategies that integrate cannabis retail into the fabric of aging commercial corridors.

Minnesota: Cities Explore Municipal Stores, Keeping Profits Local

• Thirteen Minnesota cities are considering municipally owned cannabis stores, modeled on liquor munis, designed to keep tax and retail dollars local.
• Advocates point to the success of city-run alcohol sales: steady revenue, community reinvestment, and governance trust. Applying this model to cannabis could reduce leakage and strengthen municipal budgets.
• Real estate demand will follow as cities look for retail sites that meet zoning, security, and public-facing standards—opening new pipelines backed by civic support.

Every listing you post on CannaMLS will now be automatically shared on our Facebook page to generate broader visibility and reach more qualified buyers. That means when you create your listing it will appear on our platform and in the feeds of our Facebook followers. You do not need to do anything extra — we’ll handle the share. For even more exposure, please like and follow our Facebook page and share your listing with your own network to amplify reach further.

Why It Matters

Social media shares extend your listing beyond our marketplace to an engaged audience of buyers, brokers, and industry professionals. Many buyers first discover opportunities through social channels. When your listing shows up in their feed it builds instant visibility and credibility. Following our Facebook page ensures you are the first to see our posts and the first to reshare — expanding interest and accelerating the sales process.

Exclusive Facebook Benefits

Our Facebook page is more than just another feed. It is where we share new listings, success stories, behind the scenes content, and occasionally distribute exclusive discount codes that reduce listing fees or membership costs. These codes are only available to our social followers, so liking the page pays off.

By posting a listing on CannaMLS, you are launching a powerful digital campaign. We publish it, we share it, and you share it further. The result is more views, more inquiries, and better offers — all supported by exclusive discounts that make marketing your asset even more rewarding.