David McManus
Massachusetts Cannabis Repeal Could Shift Market to Medical-Only
Changes could narrow legal cannabis access and create operational and financial challenges for Massachusetts businesses. Early preparation and strategic guidance can help operators navigate and sustain long-term growth. Key Takeaways: In Massachusetts, a new ballot initiative proposes unwinding the adult-use cannabis market, a shift that would reshape both the regulatory landscape and the state economy. […]
Federal Court Ruling May Reopen COVID-Era Tax Penalty Refunds
A federal court ruling may allow some taxpayers to recover interest and penalties paid during the COVID-19 disaster period. The decision clarifies how suspended tax deadlines affect refund and abatement opportunities. Key Takeaways: A recent federal court ruling may reopen refund opportunities many taxpayers assumed had closed after the pandemic. In Kwong v. United States, […]
Cannabis Business Sale Proceeds: Key Considerations Before Cashing Out
Key Takeaways: A cannabis sale requires careful financial and operational planning well in advance of a transaction. Proceeds depend on how deal structures, tax exposure, capital obligations, and regulatory timelines interact over the life of the business. A pending sale often signals progress for a cannabis operator, but the purchase price alone does not determine […]
Executive Order to Reschedule Cannabis: What It Means for IRC 280E
On December 18, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order directing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to expedite the rescheduling of cannabis to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This action follows the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) 2023 recommendation and represents a major turning point for state-legal cannabis businesses. Why […]
Cannabis Rescheduling: What It Means for Operators and Investors—and How We’ll Help You Navigate It
The federal government’s anticipated move to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act is one of the most consequential policy shifts the industry has seen to date. While this change may promise tax relief, expanded research opportunities, and improved access to capital, it also likely introduces stricter federal oversight […]
Seminar Recap: Tax Strategies for Cannabis Operators 2025
During AAFCPAs’ recent Tax Strategies for Cannabis Operators webinar (October 2025), AAFCPAs’ Cannabis practice leaders presented practical guidance to operators on navigating Section 280E compliance, optimizing cost of goods sold, managing cash flow and operational challenges, and evaluating strategies for exit planning, including Qualified Small Business Stock and employee ownership structures. The past year for […]
Tax Strategies for Cannabis Operators Webinar 2025
2025 Tax Planning for Cannabis Operators Webinar Navigate complex tax rules and maximize efficiency with insights from AAFCPAs’ 2025 Tax Planning for Cannabis Operators webinar. Learn strategies to address 280E compliance, optimize operations, and implement tax-efficient plans for your business. In this session, you will learn: Webinar OnDemand
AAFCPAs Participates in Compliance Panel at NECANN Boston 2025
AAFCPAs’ Janice M. O’Reilly, CPA, CGMA and David McManus, CPA, CGMA will join Tony Gallo, Sapphire Risk Advisory Group, and Peter D’Agostino, Tenax Strategies, for an interactive panel discussion at the 2025 New England Cannabis Convention (NECANN) on key compliance issues faced by cannabis establishments. The opening day session will cover compliance and reporting requirements […]
DEA Rescheduling: Recommendations for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee
Cannabis rescheduling hearings are set to begin on January 21, 2025. If successful, rescheduling will usher in multiple positive impacts on the success and viability of the industry—the most immediate (and perhaps most impactful) will be the removal of Internal Revenue Code Section 280E. AAFCPAs’ expertise was recently sought by the U.S. Treasury and Senate […]