AAFCPAs to Present on Cannabis Finance and Compliance at 2026 NECANN

Operators, investors, and advisors across New England and nationwide are preparing for significant tax and regulatory change. Federal rescheduling and the expected inapplicability of Section 280E to cannabis are set to reshape growth strategies and compliance requirements. These developments set the stage for timely industry discussion at the 2026 New England Cannabis Convention and NECANN CUP, where AAFCPAs will lead two informative sessions.

Strategic Playbook for a Post-280E, Rescheduled Market

April 24^th | 11:00 AM | Room 201

Join David McManus, CPA, CGMA, Tax Partner & National Cannabis Practice Leader and Ronald C. Lipof, Partner, Transaction Advisory & Cannabis for an informative panel on Cannabis 2026: Strategic Playbook for a Post-280E, Rescheduled Market. This session will take place from 11:00 – 11:45 AM ET at Room 201, Back Hall on April 24, 2026. Melissa Maranda, JD will also join the panel. She is a former President of Lighthouse Biz Solutions, LLC, a GFA Federal Credit Union subsidiary serving the legal cannabis industry, and previously served as its Executive Vice President and COO.

Secure Your Spot

What: 2026 New England Cannabis Convention and NECANN CUP

When: April 24-25, 2026

Where: Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA

Attendees will learn how to:

Optimize tax strategy and reinvest savings in a post-280E environment.
Navigate federal compliance changes, including banking, audits, and reporting.
Apply financial turnaround strategies to strengthen cash flow and margins.
Evaluate M&A opportunities, deal structures, and regulatory considerations.
Prepare for institutional investment with governance, operational, and reporting best practices.

This 60-minute session combines a 45-minute presentation with a 15-minute Q&A, offering guidance tailored to Massachusetts and the broader New England market. Leave with practical guidance to strengthen financial performance, ensure compliance, and position your business for growth in a rapidly evolving market. The session is designed for cannabis operators, brand owners, investors, legal and compliance professionals, and entrepreneurs entering the space.

Q&A with AAFCPAs: Advisors with a Growth Mindset

April 24^th | 1:00 PM | Room 204

AAFCPAs will also host a limited-seating Q&A session on 4/24, at 1:00 PM in Room 204: Q&A with AAFCPAs: Advisors with a Growth Mindset. We invite CFOs, CEOs, and investors to join AAFCPAs in our hospitality suite for peer‑to‑peer discussions and live Q&A with our experienced advisory team, focused on today’s front‑burner issues: 280E, rescheduling, buying/selling licenses, cash flow, margin compression, and operating discipline. Seating is limited.

Explore the largest B2B cannabis convention in the northeast and second largest in the US. Free admission is available for licensed cannabis operators and qualified buyers for an existing licensee. Apply for a two-day pass to NECANN Boston and connect with over 9,000 attendees, 300+ exhibitors, 60+ programming sessions, and leaders shaping the East Coast cannabis market.

AAFCPAs offers a wealth of resources on cannabis business strategy. Subscribe to get alerts and insights in your inbox.

About the Authors

David McManus, CPA, CGMA

Dave leads AAFCPAs’ national Cannabis Business Practice, and has been deeply immersed in understanding the complex financial and operational nuances of the industry since 2012. His subject matter expertise was sought by the U.S. Treasury and Senate Finance Committee for guidance on critical considerations regarding the 280E transition following DEA rescheduling news. As a key advisor through the AICPA, Dave and his cannabis team provides insights to shape regulatory guidance on this issue. He provides highly …

Ronald C. Lipof

Ron is a Partner in AAFCPAs’ Transaction Advisory Practice, where he provides strategic guidance to start-up, emerging growth, middle-market, and pre-IPO companies navigating mergers, acquisitions, and other complex transactions in a variety of industries nationwide. He has more than 30 years of experience in highly regulated and nascent industries, including cannabis, finance, and emerging growth sectors. Ron helps business leaders strengthen organizational readiness, streamline operations, restructure/turnaround, and position for long-term growth and value creation. He …

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