EXCLUSIVE: ‘We’re Finally On The Cusp Of Something Big’ — Verano CEO Sees Cannabis Rescheduling As Game-Changer
“We’re finally on the cusp of something big,” said George Archos, CEO of Verano Holdings Corp (OTC:VRNOF), during his keynote conversation with Tom Zuber on Tuesday at Benzinga’s Cannabis Capital Conference.
Archos was referring to the potential rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, which he predicted would mark a monumental shift for the industry.
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“Rescheduling will be the first real reform in a long time, and it’s going to be huge—not just in terms of removing 280E tax burdens, but as the first big domino to fall for further reforms like banking access,” Archos said.
Adapting To A Fragmented Regulatory Environment
The discussion also focused on the difficulties of navigating cannabis regulations across different states, a challenge Archos has experienced firsthand while leading Verano’s operations in 14 states. “We face different hurdles every day. The ability to adapt and pivot is crucial for success in this space.”
Zuber, managing partner at Zuber Lawler, echoed Archos’ thoughts, framing the confusing regulatory landscape as a potential advantage for companies that know how to manage it.
“The confusion in this fragmented regulatory landscape can actually be an opportunity,” Zuber said. “If you …