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Regulatory

Fluent welcomes rescheduling of cannabis to Schedule 3

By The Northwire Desk — AI Analysis Dec 19, 2025 · 05:03 FNT · 0.06 Fluent Corp
FNT · Price

Executive Summary

  • Fluent Corp. publicly supports the historic federal rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3 under the Controlled Substances Act, citing it as a landmark policy shift that recognizes medical use and advances regulatory reform.
  • The company highlights that Schedule 3 status will reduce federal barriers, improve banking access, and allow for the deduction of ordinary business expenses previously disallowed under IRS Section 280E, thereby freeing capital for innovation and expansion.
  • Fluent notes that this rescheduling coincides with recent federal clarifications on hemp-derived intoxicants (passed Nov 12, 2025), which are expected to shut down the market for intoxicating hemp-derived cannabis by November 2026, reducing unlicensed competition and easing pricing pressure, particularly in key markets like Florida and Texas.

Key Details

  • Federal Rescheduling: Cannabis is being rescheduled from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3 under the Controlled Substances Act.
  • Financial Impact (Section 280E): The shift allows cannabis companies to deduct ordinary business expenses previously disallowed under IRS Section 280E, freeing up capital for patient care, product innovation, and market expansion.
  • Hemp-Derived Cannabis Ban: Recent federal clarification passed on November 12, 2025, regarding hemp-derived intoxicants is expected to materially shut down the depth and reach of this market by November 2026.
  • Market Impact: The reduction in unlicensed hemp-derived competition is expected to ease pricing pressure enterprise-wide, with the greatest impact anticipated in Fluent's key states of Florida and potential expansion into Texas.
  • Company Operations: Fluent operates in Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas, with 700 employees, 8 cultivation/manufacturing facilities, and 37 active retail locations.
  • Trading Symbols: FNT.U (Canadian Securities Exchange) and CNTMF (OTCQB Venture Market).

Notable Quotes

  • "Federal rescheduling is a pivotal moment for patients, operators and investors... We applaud the administration for recognizing the therapeutic benefits of cannabis-based medicine and advancing common sense reforms, including 280E relief." — David Vautrin, Interim CEO
  • "While rescheduling represents meaningful progress, there remains important work ahead to fully resolve the conflict between state and federal law and to advance broader criminal justice reforms." — David Vautrin, Interim CEO
Read the original news release →

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