Beware of the Chads: How Institutional Money Is Reshaping the Cannabis Industry

Industry veteran Berner warns of a new wave of institutional investors entering the cannabis market without genuine understanding of the plant or its therapeutic potential. The influx of venture capital and corporate money has historically displaced founders and changed company cultures at major firms like MedMen, Flow Kana, Canopy, and High Times. Understanding the difference between investor-driven and founder-led cannabis companies matters for patients seeking quality medical cannabis products and reliable therapeutic guidance. Rolando García explores how term sheets and institutional agendas have reshaped the industry and identifies strategies that founders have used to maintain control and preserve their original missions.