Scythian Real Estate Acquiring Cannabis Properties During Pandemic

Herbology Dispensary Bradford PA
Scythian Real Estate

Scythian Real Estate continues to make deals to acquire cannabis properties and partner with established dispensary operators during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many businesses find themselves slowing down as they wait for the coronavirus crisis to subside, Scythian Real Estate remains an active investor and a leading voice in the cannabis industry.

Cannabis Companies Look to Access Capital in COVID-19 Pandemic

The onset of the coronavirus pandemic presented cannabis retailers across the country with a unique opportunity to remain open while many other businesses were forced to temporarily close their doors due to mandatory shutdown orders. That’s because states declared that cannabis dispensaries are “essential businesses.” However, cannabis stores also face unique difficulties during the pandemic because businesses that sell marijuana have long been ineligible to receive any kind of federal aid, which means that congressional bailout packages and government financial assistance cannot be directed toward these small businesses.

The COVID-19 crisis has magnified a major problem for cannabis companies: it is often difficult to access capital because the federal government has not yet legalized marijuana and therefore banks do not offer financing for these types of businesses. This can also make it hard for marijuana retailers when it comes to securing and maintaining real estate for their operations because traditional mortgages are simply unavailable. The implications for cannabis operators can be devastating: a landlord might abruptly change the terms of the rental agreement or, in the worst cases, unexpectedly cancel the lease and put the cannabis company’s license in jeopardy.

Marijuana Businesses Raise Money Through Sale-Leaseback Deals

So, how do cannabis companies navigate these financial obstacles? One option available to these types of businesses is to use their own cash to purchase the land on which the stores will operate. However, this can leave a cannabis business with a lot of real estate on their balance sheets and severely diminished cashflow. This is why a lot of cannabis operators choose a different option: entering into sale-leaseback deals with privately held real estate funds.

Scythian Real Estate Provides Capital to Cannabis Operators

Scythian Real Estate is a Denver-based company that specializes in cannabis real estate. Scythian works with sophisticated cannabis operators in Colorado, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, and throughout the United States to ensure that retail dispensaries have access to capital and land on which to operate. Scythian Real Estate Fund LLC enters into sale-leaseback transactions in which Scythian purchases the property and then leases it back to the cannabis operator. These kinds of non-dilutive transactions are highly desirable for cannabis operators because they allow the companies to raise money without sacrificing equity. These deals also free up the cannabis retailer to focus on the day-to-day operations while Scythian manages the real estate portfolio and provides assistance with zoning and licensing matters, building renovations and improvements, and any other issues that might arise.

Scythian Real Estate Has Large Portfolio of Cannabis Properties in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Across U.S.

Scythian Real Estate partners Ryan Arnold and Randy Roberts completed their first cannabis real estate deal in 2014 when they provided capital to a marijuana retail operator that needed property in order to secure a recreational marijuana license in Silver Plume, CO. Since then, the Scythian Real Estate Fund has grown considerably, with Scythian serving as the preferred real estate partner of The Green Solution. More recently, Scythian acquired properties operated by Grassroots Cannabis in North Dakota and Pennsylvania. These acquisitions bring Scythian’s asset portfolio up to 19 properties and a total value of around $40 million, and all asserts were purchased using equity as opposed to debt.

“We really like the idea of being one of a few doing these types of deals.”

Randy Roberts, Scythian Real Estate partner

Contact Scythian Real Estate About Cannabis Property Sale-Leaseback Deals

Scythian Real Estate is a trusted partner of cannabis operators that are looking to access capital to expand their operations. For more information, email Scythian.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BLOG IS NEITHER AN OFFER TO SELL NOR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SECURITIES IN SCYTHIAN REAL ESTATE FUND.

Navigating Local Cannabis Zoning Regulations

Cannabis Zoning Regulations
Cannabis Zoning Regulations

As more and more states legalize marijuana for recreational and/or medical use, there is a growing demand for cannabis dispensaries. However, most local municipalities in the U.S. strictly regulate dispensaries. As a result, marijuana businesses tend to be allowed to operate only in certain geographic areas – even when the state has legalized weed.

What Are Municipal Zoning Laws?

Zoning laws set forth the precise ways in which properties in specific geographic zones can be used. A municipality is divided into different zones, with each zone allowing properties to have certain types of land uses. This means that some types of land uses are either permitted or prohibited in specific areas.

Some of the different types of governmental land use restrictions include:

  • Purpose – Residential, Commercial, or Industrial
  • Size of Building
  • Height of Structure
  • Placement of Building
  • Number of Rooms

Land-use zoning typically involves regulating properties in a zone to be used for either residential or commercial purposes. This kind of zoning can get even more detailed and allow for very particular uses, such as a cannabis dispensary.

How Zoning Laws Impact Cannabis Businesses

For many entrepreneurs, zoning laws are major obstacles to opening and operating a business. This is particularly true for marijuana retail dispensaries because pot is already a highly regulated substance and is subject to greater scrutiny by state and local officials. Local zoning ordinances limit the options for properties to be used for commercial purposes generally, and state marijuana laws go even further by limiting the total number of cannabis dispensary licenses that are available in a state, municipality, or zoning area.

When it comes to cannabis businesses, there may be all kinds of restrictions on land use and building placement. In fact, it is not uncommon for a local municipality to stipulate that a dispensary must be located at least 1,000 feet away from any schools, daycare centers, public parks, or churches. Many municipalities also require cannabis stores to be situated a certain distance from any residences.

What Can Cannabis Operators Do to Avoid Zoning Obstacles?

How should a cannabis operator go about dealing with zoning regulations and restrictions? One step that local marijuana businesses can take is to contact their local officials and request information about zoning ordinances. It is best to do this early in the process because the process can be time consuming and may involve complex regulations.

Another important step that a marijuana business can take to deal with zoning restrictions is to find a business partner that has experience helping cannabis operators navigate local zoning regulations. This is especially important because pot dispensaries tend to be heavily regulated and local rules can vary greatly from state to state and city to city. For instance, some municipalities require cannabis stores to operate in industrial zones, while other municipalities allow more flexibility for medical marijuana dispensaries. Depending on the city or town, other cannabis property regulations might include the size of the store, square footage of the interior sales floor, lighting inside the building, space available for parking, package delivery times, and security personnel.

Scythian Real Estate is a real estate partner of some of the country’s largest cannabis retail companies. Scythian manages and develops marijuana properties and has a portfolio of single-tenant cannabis real estate assets that is spread across multiple limited-license states, which means that the company has extensive experience dealing with municipalities and navigating local zoning laws in legal cannabis markets.

Contact Scythian Real Estate About Cannabis Zoning Laws

If you are a cannabis operator and want to know more about the implications of local zoning laws for your business, Scythian Real Estate may be able to assist you. Email Scythian today.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BLOG IS NEITHER AN OFFER TO SELL NOR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SECURITIES IN SCYTHIAN REAL ESTATE FUND.

Cannabis Retailers Declared “Essential Businesses”

Cannabis Essential Business
Cannabis Essential Business

While states ordered mandatory shutdowns for most businesses as the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the U.S., several states allowed exceptions for businesses that were deemed “essential” to residents. Not surprisingly, essential businesses included hospitals and other healthcare facilities, grocery stores, gas stations, and banks. In a surprise to some observers, cannabis dispensaries were also declared “essential businesses” during the pandemic. So, what does this mean for the cannabis industry as a whole? And will the classification of cannabis retail distributors as “essential” create new opportunities for investors?

What Makes Marijuana Dispensaries “Essential”?

Given how long it took for recreational and medical marijuana use to be legalized in certain states, it might have come as quite a shock to see state and local governments so strongly embracing the cannabis industry as the coronavirus forced many other types of retail businesses to temporarily close their doors. The government’s embrace of marijuana as an essential product can be viewed as a response to public demand: when Denver dispensaries were initially ordered to shut down at the beginning of the pandemic, the resulting outcry from residents essentially forced the city government to reverse the order and allow marijuana retailers to remain open during the crisis. To put it bluntly: people did not want to be denied access to marijuana while they were stuck at home and struggling with the stress and uncertainty brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. (To say nothing of sick people who depend on medical marijuana as part of their treatment regimens.)

Beyond public demand for cannabis products, there is another sense in which states recognized that cannabis is essential: marijuana is now a critical component of the economy. With unemployment at an all-time high and the closures of many traditional businesses in the wake of the pandemic putting immense pressure on the U.S. economy, it has become clear to a lot of state and city lawmakers that legal cannabis could be an important source of tax revenues going forward.

Cannabis Operators Look to Leverage New Opportunities Created by the Coronavirus Outbreak

The recognition of cannabis dispensaries as “essential” has spurred innovation and encouraged business strategies that anticipate strong, sustained growth in the industry after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided. While most traditional businesses struggle to survive during the coronavirus outbreak, the cannabis industry finds itself in an advantageous position to leverage new opportunities. Some of these new opportunities may include:

  • Legalization: Cannabis brands and industry leaders believe that this is an opportune time to communicate the benefits of marijuana to the public, with the ultimate goal being to accelerate efforts to legalize recreational marijuana throughout the country. If cannabis is an essential part of the U.S. economy, then it only stands to reason that cannabis should be legalized at both the federal and state levels.
  • Easing State Regulations: Cannabis operators are also hoping that the “essential” nature of their businesses will help them to persuade state and local governments to ease regulatory restrictions on cannabis distribution. Even a slight reduction in investment restrictions, banking access, and tax laws could lead to increased sales for marijuana retail dispensaries and increased profitability for the cannabis industry generally.
  • Better business strategies: Cannabis dispensaries have adapted to changing circumstances by implementing home delivery and curbside pickup options as part of the retail distribution process. While many states are only allowing these options on a temporary basis during the pandemic, the hope is that pot delivery can become a permanent way of doing business.

Strong Outlook for Cannabis Real Estate Investments in the Future

During these uncertain times, it is important for individuals to have confidence in the industries in which they choose to invest. The cannabis industry is strong right now, and the expectation is that it will remain strong in the future. Some investors see cannabis real estate as an opportunity to broaden their portfolios beyond the stock market and other traditional sectors, while others see cannabis real estate investing as a steady source of fixed income.

Scythian Real Estate is a commercial real estate company that specializes in long-term lease agreements in the cannabis sector. Scythian acquires, develops, and stabilizes properties serving the cannabis industry. Since 2014, Scythian Real Estate and its principals have formed premier partnerships with The Green Solution, Grassroots Cannabis, and other nationally recognized cannabis operators. For more detailed information about Scythian Real Estate, please email them here.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BLOG IS NEITHER AN OFFER TO SELL NOR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SECURITIES IN SCYTHIAN REAL ESTATE FUND.

Cannabis Stocks Are a Risky Investment

Cannabis Stocks
Cannabis Stocks

The cannabis industry is thriving right now, with several states having already legalized marijuana and several more states set to vote on marijuana legalization ballot measures in the future. The boom in cannabis sales and the optimistic outlook for future efforts to legalize both recreational and medical marijuana across the U.S. has prompted many individuals to consider investing in marijuana stocks. So, how risky are cannabis stocks? Are there other, more stable ways to invest in cannabis?

Pot Stocks Pose Significant Risks and Can Plummet in Value

The potential for growth with cannabis investments has probably never been higher. In 2018, Grand View Research put a valuation for the legal cannabis market at around $10 billion. Now, the projections indicate that the cannabis market could exceed $70 billion by 2027. Needless to say, these figures have many investors excited about the opportunity to get in on the ground floor and take advantage of expected strong returns. Moreover, given that numerous states have already legalized either recreational or medical-use marijuana, the marijuana market is likely to present investors with ample opportunity to make money in the years ahead.

One way for an individual to invest in marijuana is through cannabis stocks. But pot stocks might not be the right choice for savvy investors who are interested in a solid, stable, long-term investment. Some of the downsides to cannabis stocks include:

  • Too Many Pot Stocks: In today’s market, there are a lot of different publicly traded marijuana companies for investors to choose from. Unfortunately, it is unclear which, if any, of these companies will be “the one” to conquer the cannabis industry. This can make choosing a marijuana stock extremely difficult.
  • Limited Returns: While some cannabis stocks may be capable of seeing short-term double-digit price increases, it is also not uncommon for just one day of bad results to trigger several months of steady declines as short sellers hone in on the stock and drive the price lower and lower. Ultimately, the ROI on a marijuana stock can be limited.
  • Marijuana Stocks Can Crash Completely: Compounding the problem of limited short-term returns on cannabis stocks is the fact that some cannabis companies can plummet in value without any advance warning. In just the past year, several pot companies faced cash flow issues and subsequently posted lower-than-expected quarterly results, leading to massive single-day stock declines that wiped out investors.

Investing in Cannabis Real Estate as an Alternative to Cannabis Stocks

The cannabis market offers practically unlimited growth potential, but the reality is that cannabis stocks are often too unpredictable for risk-averse investors. If you are looking for a steady return on your investment, tying your future economic security to pot stocks could lead to a lot of sleepless nights. The good news is that there are other cannabis investing options, such as cannabis real estate. While investing in marijuana stocks might seem easier because it can be done with the click of a button on your computer, the more personalized nature of investing in cannabis real estate makes it a reliable and relatively secure investment.

Scythian Real Estate is a privately held real estate fund and has partnered with some of the country’s largest cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and retail companies. Scythian’s portfolio includes marijuana retail properties in Colorado and North Dakota, and the company is currently expanding to other limited license states throughout the U.S.

Contact Scythian Cannabis Real Estate Today

Scythian Real Estate has an acquisition pipeline of cannabis real estate assets valued at nearly $40 million. For more information, email Scythian.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BLOG IS NEITHER AN OFFER TO SELL NOR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SECURITIES IN SCYTHIAN REAL ESTATE FUND.

New Cannabis Business Strategies Emerge During Coronavirus Pandemic

Cannabis Growers and COVID-19
Cannabis Growers and COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to negatively impact the American economy, U.S. cannabis growers and cannabis operators have been forced to make significant adjustments to their daily operations and, in some cases, to their business models. Interestingly, this could ultimately have a long-term positive effect on the cannabis industry as marijuana cultivators and cannabis retail businesses continue to come up with creative ways to reduce overall costs, increase productivity, and generate greater profitability.

Cannabis Cultivators & Dispensaries Adjust to Pandemic by Becoming Self-Reliant

While many businesses struggled when states across the country issued stay-at-home orders and imposed mandatory shutdowns of most stores, marijuana retail operators avoided the most serious economic consequences of the pandemic because state governments declared that pot dispensaries were “essential businesses.” This meant that cannabis dispensaries could remain open during the pandemic and continue to sell to customers. Moreover, some pot dispensaries expanded their reach by offering delivery services to consumers who were otherwise stuck at home. Sales of both recreational marijuana and medical marijuana largely remained strong even as other sectors of the U.S. economy cratered.

Additionally, Cannabis growers and distributors responded to the COVID-19 crisis by lowering costs and rethinking the way they do business. For example, instead of using third-party companies to perform necessary maintenance and make on-site improvements at cannabis processing and production facilities, some marijuana cultivators opted for a Do It Yourself (DIY) approach. As a result, these cultivators have stronger brands, are prepared to be more self-reliant going forward, and may be better equipped to remain profitable long after the coronavirus pandemic is over.

Economic Strategies Being Used by Cannabis Growers & Operators

Cannabis operators were proactive about avoiding the effects of the country’s overall economic downturn. Many operators conducted audits of their entire businesses to help them craft new, more economically viable strategies during COVID-19. Some of the resulting strategies included:

  • Using in-house workers to repair machines used in the cultivation process. A lot of marijuana growers have now begun to train workers to make necessary repairs themselves – without needing to hire outside technicians. Also, it is common for marijuana growers to make sure that workers fully understand the different systems used during cannabis cultivation, such as dehumidification and HVAC.
  • Mixing their own chemicals. The costs of chemicals and sanitation supplies are on the rise and production materials are increasingly scarce. So, some cannabis cultivators are opting out of using expensive brand-name products. Instead, the cultivators purchase an active ingredient in the chemical mixture, then source the ingredient directly and mix it in-house.
  • Stricter oversight to ensure no waste by employees. Prior to the pandemic, some pot companies may have been a bit cavalier when it came to conserving resources during the cannabis cultivation process. Now, a lot of cannabis company executives are getting their hands dirty on a daily basis and making sure that workers do not burn through materials or equipment.

Scythian Real Estate Acquiring Cannabis Properties During the Coronavirus Pandemic

The recent news that marijuana is an “essential service” led to a boom in pot sales in many states. Beyond that, the improved business strategies implemented by cannabis cultivators and operators in response to the COVID-19 pandemic bodes well for investors in cannabis in the future. In fact, the cannabis industry offers a unique opportunity for accredited investors looking to strengthen their investment portfolio and secure their economic future right now. One of the best ways to invest in this industry is through cannabis real estate.

Scythian Real Estate is one of the largest privately held real estate companies in the cannabis sector. Scythian partners with well-capitalized, state-licensed cannabis operators on both sale/leaseback deals and sourcing and acquiring new retail locations. Scythian Real Estate Fund LLC also has a pipeline of cannabis property acquisitions in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Utah, and other markets in the U.S. where legalized marijuana provides strong investment opportunities. To learn, please contact Scythian Real Estate here.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BLOG IS NEITHER AN OFFER TO SELL NOR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SECURITIES IN SCYTHIAN REAL ESTATE FUND.

Scythian Real Estate Purchases Two North Dakota Cannabis Properties from Grassroots

Herbology Dispensary
Herbology Dispensary

Scythian Real Estate, a Denver-based cannabis real estate company, has acquired two dispensaries in North Dakota. Scythian purchased the properties from Grassroots Cannabis.

North Dakota Marijuana Dispensaries Acquired in Sale-Leaseback Deal

The total size of the lots acquired in the real estate deal is more than 9,000 square feet, and the two cannabis properties come in at a combined cost of $3.4 million. The first property is located at 310 US-2 in Devils Lake and was recently upgraded as part of a major renovation. The second property is located at 318 24th St. East in Dickinson and first opened as a dispensary in December 2019.

Scythian Real Estate Partners with Grassroots Cannabis

The partnership between Scythian Real Estate and Grassroots Cannabis is expected to be a fruitful one. Scythian specializes in cannabis real estate acquisitions and long-term lease agreements, while Grassroots is one of the largest multi-state cannabis operators in the entire country. Scythian Real Estate Fund LLC has an investment portfolio of marijuana retail properties valued at roughly $40 million. Several of these assets are located in Colorado and are operated by The Green Solution, one of the most sophisticated cannabis retail businesses in the U.S.

Randy Roberts, a partner at Scythian Real Estate, stated that “Scythian is committed to working with cannabis operators like Grassroots Cannabis that have a proven track record of success.” Roberts added, “Both of these locations are well-positioned to support the long-term growth of Scythian’s portfolio as we continue to identify opportunities with highly sophisticated operators in quality markets.”

The two North Dakota properties acquired by Scythian in this sale-leaseback deal have already been leased back to Grassroots Cannabis, which will continue to operate the locations as dispensaries under the name Herbology.

Contact Scythian Real Estate Today

Scythian Real Estate has built a strong real estate portfolio of assets located in states where cannabis is legal for either recreational or medical use. To learn more about Scythian’s existing acquisition pipeline, send an email.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BLOG IS NEITHER AN OFFER TO SELL NOR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SECURITIES IN SCYTHIAN REAL ESTATE FUND.

Cannabis Industry Booming During COVID-19

Coronavirus & Cannabis
Coronavirus & Cannabis

As unemployment climbs and businesses continue to make tough adjustments around ever-changing circumstances, some industries have proven to be more sustainable than others. One of the industries that has managed to continue with growth plans through the COVID-19 pandemic is the cannabis industry.

What Is the Impact of Coronavirus on the Cannabis Industry?

Cannabis was recently declared an “essential business” in many states, including Colorado, while coronavirus-related shelter-in-place orders and mandatory business shutdowns were imposed in states around the country. This meant that cannabis dispensaries were allowed to remain operational during the pandemic and could continue to fulfill cannabis orders from customers who were stuck at home and looking for some relief by buying weed. As a result, marijuana sales surged. For instance, Curaleaf reported seeing a 20% increase in their cannabis sales in March, even as most other U.S. businesses struggled. This was a trend that could be spotted across the cannabis industry, with increased cannabis sales being the rule rather than the exception for many marijuana retail operators.

“All in, we continue to believe cannabis is well-positioned versus other industries to outperform on a relative basis during unknowns on the coronavirus impact.”

Aaron Grey, Alliance Global Partners analyst

Although the cannabis industry’s most celebrated holiday, 4/20, was a bit of a “mixed bag” for some marijuana businesses, the majority of cannabis operators were happy to see their sales remain relatively consistent in the days and weeks leading up to 4/20. The Green Solution CEO Steve Lopez echoed this enthusiasm: “We have seen steady business over the past few weeks as we’ve settled into new protocols.” While the coronavirus pandemic is having an adverse effect on most industries, such as oil and gas, the health sector, and retail businesses, the cannabis industry has remained stable and investor returns have been consistent.

Predicting What Happens Next: Will Cannabis Continue to Surge in 2020 and Beyond?

If anyone were looking to make a prediction about how the cannabis industry will continue to weather COVID-19, it would probably be instructive to look to how the alcohol industry fared during the country’s last recession. In 2008, while many U.S. businesses were struggling to stay afloat, wholesale alcohol sales remained steady and even showed eventual growth as the country emerged from the recession. Remarkably, in the first full year of the recession – when the unemployment rate was at 5.8% – alcoholic beverage sales expanded by more than 9%.

The fact that alcohol sales previously surged at the same time as a recession suggests that certain businesses and products might actually thrive during tough economic times. Could the same be true of marijuana? The recent success seen by cannabis businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic would seem to indicate that marijuana, like alcohol, is impervious to a larger economic decline. In fact, the cannabis industry may even be viewed as recession-proof. COVID-19 and related shutdown measures in several states did not disrupt any aspect of this essential industry: cannabis cultivation, processing, distribution, and retail all remained intact and largely unaffected by the virus. Moreover, consumer demand for marijuana increased dramatically as people adjusted to a new way of life brought on by coronavirus.

Investing in Cannabis During COVID-19

One of the best ways to invest in the cannabis industry right now is to invest directly in cannabis real estate opportunities. When pot was recently declared an “essential service” during the coronavirus pandemic, cannabis operators saw a huge surge in sales. And what was the one thing that those cannabis operators had in common? Real estate. Businesses that legally sell marijuana need real estate on which to operate, and that presents a strong investment opportunity for anyone who is looking to invest in the cannabis industry.

Scythian Real Estate is a full-service real estate company that specializes in working with sophisticated, well-capitalized cannabis operators in Colorado, North Dakota, and throughout the United States. As the cannabis sector continues to prove that it can withstand uncertain economic times, Scythian Real Estate is generating significant interest from accredited investors looking for cannabis investing options.

“We have a strong pipeline of new acquisitions as cannabis companies continue to implement growth plans for 2020. We are looking forward to new partnerships and bringing on new investors as people look for fixed income through real-estate-backed opportunities outside of the stock market or other more traditional sectors getting impacted by the current pandemic. We feel strongly that the cannabis industry will remain steady through these uncertain times.”

Ryan Arnold, Scythian Real Estate partner

Contact Scythian Cannabis Real Estate

Since 2015, Scythian Real Estate has demonstrated its ability to acquire and manage a portfolio of cannabis real estate assets. Email Scythian to learn more.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BLOG IS NEITHER AN OFFER TO SELL NOR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SECURITIES IN SCYTHIAN REAL ESTATE FUND.