Cresco Labs Acquires Columbia Care To Become U.S. Cannabis Market Leader

The cannabis sector has taken its share of hits in the last year. But every so often there appears a sign that although it might be down, it is far from out. The fighting spirit is still stirring.

The latest indicator? The $2-billion deal announced last week by American marijuana grower and processor Cresco Labs (OTC:CRLBF) to acquire Columbia Care (OTC:CCHWF). The acquisition is one of the biggest merger deals in the cannabis sector.

The merger is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. And when it happens, Cresco Labs will have powered itself into a leading position in the US cannabis market, with operations in 17 states and the District of Columbia, making it the largest multi-state operator by revenue in the US.

According to published reports, Cresco’s projected revenue post-merger will be in the neighborhood of $1.4 billion, the company claims.

Referencing some of the company's brands, Cresco Chief Executive Officer Charles Bachtell told BNN Bloomberg:

“This is how you turn brands like High Supply, Cresco and FloraCal into Miller High Life, Coca-Cola and Johnnie Walker Blue Label.”

From a strategic point of view, the merger not only expands Cresco’s operating footprint to 17 states from 10, it also extends the company’s reach in key markets, including Illinois, Pennsylvania and Colorado.

In addition to becoming the largest multi-state operator by revenue, Cresco will also acquire the title to the third-largest multi-state operator by market value, behind Curaleaf Holdings (OTC:CURLF) and Green Thumb Industries (OTC:GTBIF).

Shares of Cresco Labs last week fell on the news of the merger, going from about $6.54 to a low of $5.82. They rebounded slightly to close the week at $6.02, but have since slipped again. They closed yesterday at $5.91, down just under 2% on the day and about 9.6% from just before the merger was announced last week.

Cresco Labs Weekly Chart.

Shares of Columbia Care spiked when the deal was announced, but have since retraced those gains. The stock closed yesterday at $2.96 a share, down 1.33% on the day.

Columbia Care Chart.

According to the terms of the deal, Columbia Care shareholders will receive 0.5579 of a subordinate voting share of Cresco Labs for each Columbia Care common share. The price includes a premium of about roughly 16% of the closing price on Mar. 22 of Columbia Care stock.

Columbia Care last week also released its fourth-quarter earnings report, which saw its revenues increase by 70% to $139 million, a record for the company. Full-year revenue came in at $460 million.

Commenting on the deal with Cresco Labs, Columbia Care CEO Nicholas Vita said:

“In an evolving industry, the opportunities to better achieve our mission through consolidation led us to this historic moment. With Columbia Care’s strategic national footprint in the most attractive markets and Cresco’s success in execution and incredibly popular brands, we will together create the most important and investable company in cannabis. There is no better team in the industry to maximize the potential of this market defining combination.”