Sahar Ayinehsazian Speaks About Cannabis Rescheduling, Credit Risks and Lender Financing at Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference

Nov 13, 2024

On October 8, Vicente partner Sahar Ayinehsazian spoke at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago, Illinois. During her panel Credit Risk and Rescheduling: The Impact on Cannabis Company Borrowing, Sahar discussed how rescheduling cannabis could affect lending practices, interest rates and credit availability in the cannabis sector.

Sahar emphasized that “…When it comes to any kind of lender financing, you cannot have a loan without having collateral.” In the cannabis industry, licenses are often considered valuable assets, but their use as collateral is complicated by state-specific regulations.

Even with federal rescheduling, lenders will still face challenges in assessing the value of licenses and seizing and enforcing collateral rights, as Sahar notes, “You may not be able to go in and take control of the collateral overnight like you may be able to with, say, real estate or something that’s not as heavily regulated.'"

Watch Sahar’s panel on Youtube

Panelists:

Sahar Ayinehsazian, Partner at Vicente LLP
Joseph Lustberg, CEO at Upwise Capital
Nick Richards, Tax Partner at Greenspoon Marder LLP
Dan Neville, CEO at Advanced Flower Capital, Inc
Stacy Litke, VP of Banking Programs at Green Check Verified

About Sahar Ayinehsazian

Sahar Ayinehsazian is a partner in Vicente LLP's Los Angeles office. As a leading member of the firm's Corporate Department, she guides multi-state operators in the cannabis industry in their expansion into new markets across the U.S. and advises businesses, investors, and other law firms on the nuances of executing corporate transactions involving licensed and ancillary cannabis companies. Learn more.

Vicente partner Charles Alovisetti recently discussed debt and equity considerations for cannabis startups at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference. Listen here.