Super Bowl: Cannabis Sales 📈 KC 📉

SUPER SALES
Cannabis sales see bump around the big game

Driving the news: Last week, we shared some data around the bump of cannabis sales around the Super Bowl. Historically, it looks like between 13 and 16 percent more cannabis gets sold the week before the Super Bowl than the week prior.

Post-game report: The team at Sweed shared that they saw a 13.72% bump week-over-week from pre-Super Bowl to Super Bowl week. Right on schedule!

Why it matters: As Krista Raymer from Vetrina, our retail expert/weekly guest on Cultivated Live, shared: “What’s interesting about the Super Bowl is it doesn’t have the same effect as 420 or 4th of July in that we don’t see the same drop afterward, and we also don’t see the same lift. It really is an occasional-based purchase. It has a customer purchasing something different than they usually buy and therefore it doesn’t push and pull around demand in the same way.”

What’s next? One of the industry’s biggest cannabis holidays is coming up in about 8 weeks. Preparing should already be in the works. We’ll connect with Krista again this week to talk about what 8-weeks of planning looks like in advance of 420.

-JR

“I think that we need to focus on…the risk analysis. The regulators need to ensure that there’s a proper risk analysis being done of the risk that’s being taken on, and every lawful business and customer and person is entitled to access to the banking system.” Better Markets Director of Banking Policy Shayna Olesiuk at last week’s House Financial Services Committee hearing on debanking. 

At the same hearing, Republican Representative Warren Davidson of Ohio noted that he was hopeful something would be done this session on cannabis banking. Let’s hope so! 

More from Marijuana Moment. 

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Double-whammy of taxes and fees in California could be an ‘extinction event’ 📉

A widely-anticipated licensing and a cannabis tax hike could increase fees and taxes on cannabis operators in California this year. Amy O’Gorman Jenkins, Executive Director of the California Cannabis Operators Association, told in SFGate that the double-whammy of increases posed an “existential threat” to the California cannabis industry.

New York cannabis lab testing under scrutiny 🔍

In a story for MJBizDaily, Chris Roberts highlights the closer look that testing labs in New York are receiving. Like we’ve seen in other markets — especially California — THC-inflation and relative lack of oversight of testing labs happens in nearly every market. Now, it’s New York’s turn.

Calgary looking at cannabis sales at adult-only events 🌿

We aren’t sure American prohibitionists will be so keen on making Canada the 51st state when they realize just how legal cannabis is in the Great White North. The City of Calgary is looking at making cannabis sales legal at adult-only events to align with Provincial regulations Alberta passed last year. 

Uruguay looking at cannabis tourism 🤙🏻

While Canada gets loads of attention for its legalization efforts, let’s not forget that cannabis is legal in Uruguay too. Now, the new Minister of Tourism is looking at how cannabis tourism might work for the country. Currently, cannabis is only available to Uruguay citizens or residents. More from Latin America Reports. 

Tennessee looking to crack down on smokable hemp 🛑

While Calgary and Uruguay look to loosen things up, we learn from the Times Free Press in Tennessee, that a pair of bills in Tennessee have been introduced to ban smokable hemp products.

Gross margins and gross profit up at Ispire 🏗️

Revenue, gross profit, and gross margins were all up year-over-year in Ispire ($ISPR) but net loss was also double from the same quarter last year ($8 million in 2025 vs. $4 million in 2024). 

Minnesota launches grant program for community restoration 💪

Minnesota has launched a million dollar grant program for communities disproportionately affected by the failed War on Drugs: CanRenew Community Restoration Grant Program. The grants are intended for projects that, “support economic development, public health, violence prevention, youth development, and civil legal aid.” More from Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management.

Tilray announces Phase II of supply chain enhancement 🚀

Tilray announced that it has entered Phase II of their supply chain enhancement, which includes an outdoor grow in Cayuga, Ontario, via a press release. 

Colorado Springs launches application process for recreational sales 💪

Getting into the action (finally), Colorado Springs has opened up the licensing process for recreational sales. There are caveats, like you already need to be a licensed medical operator and adherence to zoning regulations, but welcome to the club Colorado Springs.

For those following the goings on in New York, Joe Rossi, previously of Park Strategies, announced on LinkedIn that he has founded Modern Advocacy LLC, a “principled consulting firm specializing in political campaign strategy, high-impact lobbying, and cannabis policy expertise…” 

We’ll connect with Joe again soon on all things New York. In the meantime, check out our conversation with Joe from last year: New York’s cannabis challenges and a brighter future ahead.

Elected officials and regulators are looking at ways to cut down on the sale of unlicensed cannabis in Las Vegas. 

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