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420 with CNW - convenience is giving an edge to entities selling marijuana. September 4, 2026 Marijuana companies are increasingly betting that convenience will determine what consumers buy, as shoppers show growing interest in products that require little preparation and can fit easily into everyday routines. The shift is particularly visible among newer cannabis customers, who may be less comfortable with traditional consumption methods. An analysis of Headset data found that disposable, all-in-one vaporizers generated roughly $2.82 billion from 94.8 million units, representing annual gains of 23.8% in sales and 22.9% in volume. The average price was about $29.77. Meanwhile, cartridges, historically the biggest vape category, recorded approximately $2.89 billion in sales but declined 14.1% in sales and 8% in unit volume. Their average price was lower, at $19.66, suggesting cost alone does not explain the difference. For many buyers, simplicity appears to be more important. A similar development is occurring in pre-rolls. Infused versions reached about $1.8 billion and posted increases of 13.4% in sales and 21% in volume. Multi-unit packages are also expanding, giving brands such as Dogwalkers additional room to grow. The appeal extends beyond smoking products. Cresco Labs is preparing to introduce High Supply SLIPS, an oral marijuana pouch, through its Sunnyside stores. The product is expected to come in two flavors and offer 4-milligram and 10-milligram doses. The concept draws from the growing popularity of nicotine pouches. Philip Morris reported shipping nearly 165 million cans of Zyn during the fourth quarter of 2025, a 42% increase from a year earlier. Dana Mason, a Cresco brand manager, said demand for simpler inhalable products helped signal an opportunity for consumption methods that do not require smoking. Oral pouches could appeal to consumers at sporting venues, restaurants, and on public transportation, where lighting a joint or using a vape may not be practical. The convenience trend is also influencing hemp-derived products. According to Edibles.com president Thomas Winstanley, some consumers are incorporating THC gummies and chews into routines that resemble supplement use, while others view hemp beverages as an alternative to alcohol. Wider retail availability may further encourage experimentation. Products appearing in familiar outlets such as Total Wine and Circle K can give curious customers an alternative to visiting a dispensary. Experts expect the next stage of innovation to emphasize discretion, including tinctures, sublingual products, and other low-effort formats. As cannabis companies compete for new customers, reducing the number of steps between purchase and consumption could become an increasingly important advantage. The extent to which marijuana firms like Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF) leverage this emerging trend could determine the magnitude of their sales growth over the coming years as more first-time customers shop for cannabis products. About CNW420 CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of an article each business day at 4:20 p.m. Eastern - a tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. The concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis. To receive SMS alerts from CNW, text CANNABIS to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only) Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com/Disclaimer CannabisNewsWire is powered by IBN Select A Month

Marijuana MSO Cresco scoops up PharmaCann Pennsylvania assets. September 3, 2026 Cannabis Industry News Key points. * Cresco acquires PharmaCann Pennsylvania assets to expand regional footprint * Transaction positions Cresco as the top MMJ retailer and wholesaler in Pennsylvania * Deal highlights ongoing consolidation trends among major multi-state operators Multi-state operator Cresco Labs has acquired key Pennsylvania assets from rival PharmaCann, significantly expanding its footprint in the second-largest medical marijuana market in the United States. This strategic transaction establishes Cresco as the top medical cannabis retailer and wholesaler in Pennsylvania. The deal brings additional operational facilities and retail storefronts into Cresco's existing portfolio, consolidating market share in a limited-license state where vertical integration drives profitability. As consolidation accelerates across regulated state markets, large operators continue utilizing M&A strategies to capture supply chain dominance and secure consumer touchpoints. For dispensary owners and brand managers operating in the region, this shift signals a changing competitive dynamic - one where scaled operators hold distinct advantages in wholesale pricing and distribution reach. Compliance overhead and supply chain logistics will likely remain central focus areas as integration proceeds. What this means for your brand. Dispensaries and brands in Pennsylvania must prepare for increased market consolidation and stronger wholesale competition. Regional brands should focus on differentiation and strong retail partnerships to maintain shelf space against expanding MSOs.

Cresco Labs acquires nine Pennsylvania dispensaries for $50M. September 2, 2026 Cresco Labs has completed the $50 million acquisition of nine operating medical marijuana dispensaries in Pennsylvania from PharmaCann Penn, expanding its retail footprint and strengthening its position in one of the company's core markets. The transaction gives Cresco 100% of the outstanding equity interests in PharmaCann Penn and makes the company Pennsylvania's largest medical marijuana retailer, according to Cresco. The acquisition complements its existing position as the state's largest wholesaler, increasing the scale of a vertically integrated operation spanning cultivation, branded products, distribution and retail. Pennsylvania generated more than $1.1 billion in medical marijuana sales last year, making it the second-largest medical marijuana market, according to the company. The size of the market and Cresco's existing infrastructure were central to the rationale for deploying additional capital in the state. The $50 million purchase price was funded through a combination of cash and a seller note. The transaction was completed on a cash-free, debt-free basis with an agreed normalized level of working capital. Cresco expects the acquisition to be immediately accretive to revenue, margins and cash flow. Adding nine operating stores also provides a faster path to expanding distribution than developing new retail locations individually, while allowing the company to leverage cultivation and wholesale infrastructure already in place. "We are focused on deploying capital into opportunities that strengthen our competitive position and generate attractive long-term returns," CEO Charlie Bachtell said. He described Pennsylvania as a core market where greater scale and vertical integration can provide competitive advantages. The transaction is particularly significant because it increases Cresco's ability to distribute products through both wholesale and company-operated retail channels. Its portfolio includes Cresco, High Supply, FloraCal, Good News, Wonder Wellness Co., Mindy's and Remedi, while the company operates dispensaries nationally under the Sunnyside brand. Expanding the number of retail locations creates additional outlets for that product portfolio while increasing Cresco's direct exposure to Pennsylvania patients. At the same time, its wholesale operation continues to provide distribution through the broader market, giving the company multiple channels through which to use its cultivation and production capacity. That combination is central to Cresco's Pennsylvania strategy. Rather than entering a new geography that would require significant new infrastructure, the company is deploying $50 million into a market where it already has operating scale. The acquired dispensaries can therefore be paired with existing cultivation, production and wholesale capabilities, creating opportunities to spread infrastructure costs across a larger revenue base. Bachtell said pairing additional retail locations with Cresco's cultivation and wholesale operations reinforces the company's market position and its strategy of pursuing consolidation in markets where it already has meaningful scale. The acquisition also reflects a selective approach to cannabis industry consolidation, with Cresco emphasizing transactions expected to contribute immediately to financial performance. The company has identified revenue, margin and cash-flow accretion from the Pennsylvania deal rather than relying primarily on longer-term market expansion to support the investment rationale. For Cresco, the nine-store portfolio adds operating assets in a medical marijuana market that already exceeds $1 billion in annual sales. The combination of a larger retail network and its existing wholesale leadership gives the company greater reach across the state while creating another avenue for deploying its branded product portfolio. With the PharmaCann Penn transaction closed, Cresco has increased its exposure to a market it considers strategically important while using existing infrastructure to support the acquired operations. The company's ability to generate incremental sales and cash flow from those stores will be a key measure of the acquisition as it integrates the additional retail footprint into its Pennsylvania platform.