It’s time for your Daily Hit of cannabis financial news for April 20, 2021.

Happy 420 everyone!!

On The Site

Banking

Cannabis legalization advocates must be feeling a sense a deja vu. Today, the House of Representatives approved legislation (again) that would provide safe harbor for financial service providers to work with cannabis businesses that are in compliance with state laws. Called the SAFE ACT, (Secure and Fair Enforcement) Banking Act, or H.R. 1996, was reintroduced in March by Reps. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), Steve Stivers (R-OH), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), and Warren Davidson (R-OH), and had 177 total cosponsors by the time of the vote. The legislation was approved by a vote of 321-101, including a majority of voting Republicans.

GrowGen

GrowGeneration Corp . (NASDAQ: GRWG ) is continuing to expand its universe by buying Downriver Hydroponics, a Michigan -based indoor garden supply center in Wayne County. The company did not disclose the value of the deal, however, it did say  Downriver Hydro is the area’s largest hydroponics store, with annual revenues approaching $10 million. With the acquisition of Downriver Hydro, GrowGen’s portfolio of hydroponic garden centers now includes 53 stores across 12 states, with seven of those locations in Michigan.

Jushi

Jushi Holdings Inc. (OTCMKTS: JUSHF) is buying OhiGrow, LLC, one of 34 licensed cultivators in Ohio, and Ohio Green Grow LLC collectively known as OhiGrow in a deal valued at $5 million in cash. The acquisition includes an approximately 10,000 sq. ft. facility and 1.35 acres of land. Jushi said that OhiGrow will complement the soon-to-be operational 8,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art Ohio medical cannabis processing facility, to which Jushi provides operational and consulting services. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2021.

Cresco Study

One in four Americans currently consumes cannabis, reporting they’ve tried some form of cannabis within the past twelve months. That’s a significant increase since 2018* when just 16% of U.S. adults reported current consumption, representing a 56% increase in just two years. What’s more, 23% of current cannabis consumers say they tried cannabis for the first time over the past year, suggesting the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with expanded state legalization, has rapidly accelerated cannabis acceptance and adoption in America.

In Other News

Turning Point Brands, Inc. (NYSE: TPB) announced a $8.7 million strategic investment in Docklight Brands, Inc., a pioneering consumer products company with celebrated brands including Marley Natural cannabis and Marley CBD. In addition, TPB has obtained exclusive U.S. distribution rights for Docklight’s Marley CBD topical products. The investment into Docklight Brands’ Series A offering comes with certain follow-on investment rights.

As a result of this transaction, Turning Point Brands now boasts access to two of the most iconic names in cannabis: Bob Marley and Zig-Zag. The Marley CBD skincare line, which includes after-sun, hand cream, lip balm, balm, and roll-on products, combines tropical botanicals with hemp-derived CBD, and is currently available nationally in over 12,000 stores including select 7-Eleven, Circle K, Safeway and Dollar General locations, with additional availability expected through TPB’s partner network.