2025 is already halfway to the finish line. For the cannabis industry, the year so far has been a mixed bag. The arrival of a new administration in Washington, D.C., left federal reform hanging in the balance. Currently, the future of national legalization remains uncertain, although some insiders are convinced it’s coming soon. At the state level, it has also been a mixed bag as newly legalized states come online and mature markets continue to struggle.
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GreenState heard from several cannabis professionals who offered their predictions for the rest of 2025. Some are more hopeful about the future than others. Ultimately, it seems to depend on where you are located and whether you have a long-term plan for success.
“The cannabis industry this year is really a tale of two markets,” said Kyle Loucks, founder and CEO of Roll Pros. “Things are heating up in some of the newer rec states. But a lot of older markets are going the other direction. It’s going to be a mixed bag the rest of the year in terms of growth and success.”
Nohtal Partansky, co-founder and CEO of Sorting Robotics, was a bit more optimistic than Loucks. He argued that shifting consumer trends (including a rise in sales of pre-rolls and beverages) are revealing the real opportunities for success.
“Even with some ongoing headwinds, 2025 has been a year of steady growth for the cannabis space,” he said. “As we move into the second half of the year, continued tech adoption and new market rollouts could drive an even stronger close.”
Tyler Priest, chief revenue officer of Green Leaf Business Solutions, shared Partansky’s sentiments.
“Market consolidation and changing regulations have tested the industry’s resilience but also sparked innovation, smarter investments, and a focus on sustainability and compliance,” Priest noted. “I anticipate continued consolidation, more states joining the market, and a sharper focus on operational excellence and customer service through the end of the year.”
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Cannabis predictions – looking to the future
While some pot pros sought to define the silver linings, others insisted that a long-term strategy and investments in new markets would be the key to success.
“The companies that focus on quality, innovation, and regulatory readiness and that are building for tomorrow rather than just surviving today are the ones that will ultimately lead the next wave of cannabis,” said Chris Campagna, founder and chief innovation officer at True Terpenes.
Brendan McKee, co-founder and COO of Silver Therapeutics, is looking to set up shop in newly legal states. He suggested his colleagues do the same.
“If you’re in a position to secure licenses and prime retail locations in new markets, you’ll benefit from an early mover revenue windfall,” McKee said.
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Kevin Hart, founder and CEO of Green Check, said nascent operators must have their ducks in a row if they want to prosper—especially as financial institutions continue to open the doors.
“More banks and credit unions are starting to see cannabis as a viable business opportunity, not just a risk, especially as operators become more sophisticated and transparent,” Hart explained. “The cannabis-related businesses that are well prepared and well documented will be the ones that thrive in the second half of the year.”
Many operators may hope a successful exit is in their future. Darren Gleeman, managing partner at MBO Ventures, believes mergers and acquisitions are hot—and people may want to consider their exit sooner rather than later.
“Market caps across the cannabis sector have been compressed, driving valuations to historically low multiples,” he said. “From an investor’s perspective, many of the larger public companies now represent compelling buying opportunities.”
The cannabis industry is full of unknowns. A lack of clarity at the federal level only boosts the uncertainty. One thing is for sure: the market isn’t going away. And according to the pot pros above, it’s going to take careful planning, organization, and innovation to thrive.
