*By Jacqueline Corba* Cannabis operator Acreage Holdings closed a $119 million financing round from private investors, the [largest ever in the U.S. marijuana industry](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/acreage-holdings-announces-closing-of-119-million-private-round---largest-in-us-cannabis-history-300684459.html). "We tried to go after institutional investors and had a fair amount of traction," Acreage Holdings President George Allen told Cheddar on Monday. "But for the most part they were very slow to move onto this opportunity relative to people who have had some personal connection to it. And frankly until they figure out banking reform for cannabis it's very hard for institutional investors to participate." In May, Acreage expanded its footprint to 13 states by adding [New Jersey to its operations](https://cheddar.com/videos/acreage-holdings-expands-into-new-jersey). The company will use its latest Series E round to prepare for going public in Canada this fall. Allen said he hopes listing on that country's exchange will be a catalyst for going public in the U.S. But first, banking and [federal policy will need to change](https://www.brookings.edu/research/banking-regulations-create-mess-for-marijuana-industry-banks-and-law-enforcement/), Allen said. "It's an unfortunate consequence of where we are with federal policy right now, that you can't take \[public\] a company that is operating legally in compliance with all the state rules," he explained. To push its message, Acreage tapped Former House Speaker John Boehner and Former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld in April for its [board of directors](https://www.acreageholdings.com/news-release-board-of-advisors-appointment). "What everybody is looking for in this industry is some validation that now is the time it's right to get in. Well, what better testimony can you have than somebody that is as plugged in as those two people," said Allen. "We think the time is now." For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/acreage-holdings-closes-119-million-funding-round).

Share:
More In Business
Kroger to End Some COVID-19 Benefits For Unvaccinated Workers
Kroger is eliminating some of its pandemic-era benefits for unvaccinated workers as the grocery chain looks to encourage more of its staff to get the COVID shots. Among the changes, unvaccinated employees will not receive emergency paid leave if they contract the virus.
Apple on Verge to Become World's First $3 Trillion Company
Apple is on the verge of becoming the world's first-ever $3 trillion company as shares of the iPhone maker are inching closer to $182.86. Joel Hawthorne, head trader and CEO of The Morning Snapshot, joined Cheddar to discuss Apple's success and how the tech giant will continue to innovate. "One thing that we have to keep in mind is this stock somewhat moves like its own ETF," he said, describing the company as almost a "safe bet" for long-term investors.
Peloton Pushes Past a Deadly Product Placement and Hits Advertising Gold
Spoiler alert: And Just Like That... Peloton fired back. Over the weekend, the fitness giant posted a video featuring a character from the new 'Sex and the City' reboot, 'And Just Like That,' who had supposedly died following the use of a Peloton bike. Following the show's premiere last week, Peloton actually saw a drop in shares as a result of the character death. Mark Lehmann, CEO at JMP Securities, discusses why the character death may not have been such a marketing nightmare for Peloton after all.
Meme Stocks Tumble as Investors Dump Risky Assets
Gabe Pincus, president of the investment advisor GA Pincus Funds, joined Wake Up With Cheddar to break down what's happening with meme stocks, as retail trader favorites AMC, GameStop, and Bed Bath & Beyond all moved sharply lower on Monday. He noted that even with the drop there is still room for the meme stocks to tumble even more. "They're still up 500 percent, 800 percent, 900 percent from their all-time lows, so there's plenty more room for them to go down," said Pincus.
Load More