Market movement in cannabis grows with advancement of reclassification in the US

A series of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) operations in the cannabis sector were announced shortly after the President of the United States, Donald Trump, signed an executive order on December 18, 2025, determining that marijuana federally ceased to be classified as a Schedule I substance, the category of drugs with high abuse potential and no accepted medical use, to Schedule III, considered less restrictive. 

According to MJBizDaily, this sequence of transactions may be indicative of a broader movement in the sector, especially if the reclassification process is completed.

This set of agreements includes the acquisition of companies such as Vireo Growth, which bought the delivery platform Eaze, the purchase of the competitor Grön by the edibles manufacturer Wyld, and acquisitions of logistics firms and brands by other entities in the cannabis market. Analysts interviewed by the publication said that many of the deals had been in negotiation for months and that the signing of the executive order acted as a catalyst to close deals that were in progress.

Market expectations and possible effects of reclassification

Sources consulted in the sector point out that, even with the finalization of the reclassification still pending, a process that requires additional administrative steps and has no definitive timeline, the prospect of change in federal regulation has stimulated more interest from investors and operators in positioning their companies for future growth. 

Some cited experts responded that the reclassification to Schedule III could increase access to capital and promote greater regulatory clarity, although barriers such as limited access to financing and market uncertainties still persist.

According to the report, the cannabis sector may see a transformation in M&A dynamics as reclassification progresses, with negotiations that go beyond infrastructure to include business models, brands, and intellectual property in a more strategic way. 
 

With information from MJ Biz Daily.