Under Pressure: How Tariffs Are Reshaping the Cannabis Supply Chain

Event Description

The escalating U.S. tariff environment—particularly the sharp increases targeting imports from China and trade tensions with countries like Mexico and Canada—poses a major threat to cannabis-related businesses (CRBs) and their financial partners. In industries where profit margins are already slim, and access to banking remains limited, sudden cost hikes on essentials like vape cartridges, packaging, grow equipment, and retail fixtures can upend operational budgets, inventory plans, and pricing strategies. These changes are not just about trade policy—they directly affect cash flow, insurance, vendor vetting, and how financial institutions evaluate risk for their cannabis clients.

For financial institutions engaged in (or considering) cannabis banking, understanding the downstream effects of tariffs is essential. Tariff-driven cost increases can shift risk profiles overnight, alter the value of collateral, impact AML/BSA considerations, and disrupt the financial stability of CRB customers. With many CRBs still relying on international vendors for packaging, hardware, and grow inputs, bankers and cannabis operators alike must stay ahead of tariff trends to ensure informed lending decisions, accurate financial modeling, and resilient supply chain planning.

Join us as we discuss the current tariffs in place and how these additional taxes directly impact the cannabis industry, as well as the financial institutions that currently bank them.

AGENDA 

• Tariffs 101 – What’s New in 2024–2025?

• Impact on the Cannabis Supply Chain and Product Categories

• Financial Implications for Operators

• Customer-Facing Implications

• Risk, Compliance, Banking, and Insurance Considerations

• Strategic Responses and Solutions

BONUS materials

·      Downloadable Tariff CRB Impact Calculator (Excel)

·      HTS codes for common cannabis accessories

·      USTR updates and Section 301 tariff tracker