Cannabis Shares Rally (Again) on Next Incremental Step to Federal Rescheduling

Shares of Canadian-licensed producers and US multistate operators rallied massively on news that the US Drug Enforcement Administration will proceed with rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III from Schedule I. Schedule I indicates it is considered to have a high potential for abuse and no medical value. In comparison, Schedule III drugs are considered less dangerous, with a lower potential for abuse and having some medical value. We view the April 30 news as the next step in a long process by the Biden administration to relax the current federal prohibition. We view the market reaction as a reflection of how much pressure these stocks have faced rather than any new development.