CHICAGO, Jan. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NASDAQ: REFI) (“Chicago Atlantic” or the “Company”), a commercial mortgage real estate investment trust, today announced year-end tax reporting information for its 2025 distributions. Stockholders are urged to consult with their personal tax advisors as to their specific tax treatment. Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc.CUSIP: 167239102Ticker: NASDAQ: REFI Record DatePayment DateCash Distribution (per share)Dividen ...

Top Cannabis REITs to Watch in January 2026The cannabis sector continues evolving as capital markets slowly reopen.However, volatility remains high for plant-touching cannabis operators.Because of that, many investors look toward cannabis real estate investment trusts.These companies earn income through rent or interest, not cannabis sales.As a result, revenue can be more predictable during uncertain periods.Still, not all cannabis REITs follow the same strategy.Some focus on property ownership, while other ...

Core Insights - The equity market serves as a significant mechanism for wealth creation or destruction over the long term through daily price fluctuations [1] Group 1: Investment Focus - Pacifica Yield aims to create long-term wealth by focusing on undervalued yet high-growth companies, high-dividend stocks, REITs, and green energy firms [1]

Group 1 - Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (REFI) and Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. (LIEN) will have CEO Peter Sack participate in a fireside chat moderated by Zuanic and Associates on January 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET [1] - Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. is a leading commercial mortgage REIT that focuses on originating senior secured loans primarily to state-licensed cannabis operators in limited-license states in the U.S. [2] - Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. is a specialty finance company regulated as a business development company, aiming to maximize risk-adjusted returns by investing primarily in direct loans to privately held middle-market companies, particularly in the cannabis sector [3] Group 2 - Both REFI and LIEN are part of the Chicago Atlantic platform, which has offices located in Chicago, Miami, New York, and London [4]

Industry Overview - The U.S. cannabis industry is evolving with expanding legalization momentum, leading to growth in both medical and adult-use markets. Analysts predict long-term demand will continue to rise as more states approve regulated programs [1][3] - Ancillary stocks, which do not directly handle cannabis, are gaining investor interest due to regulatory hurdles and difficult banking conditions faced by plant-touching companies. These ancillary companies benefit from industry growth while reducing risk [1][2] Ancillary Stocks Characteristics - Ancillary stocks provide services or capital to licensed operators, including owning real estate for cultivation and retail operations, and offering financing that banks often avoid. This model allows investors to gain exposure to the cannabis sector without directly handling the plant [2] - Many ancillary companies operate as Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) or structured lenders, providing reliable income through dividends, making them attractive for long-term portfolios [2] Financial Stability and Future Outlook - As the cannabis market matures, financial strength and stability are increasingly important. Investors are looking for companies with steady revenue and disciplined management, especially those positioned to benefit from potential federal reforms [3] - The year 2026 is anticipated to be significant for ancillary growth, particularly if there are changes in federal regulations regarding cannabis [3] Leading Ancillary Stocks to Watch - **Innovative Industrial Properties (IIPR)**: Focuses on purchasing cultivation and processing facilities and leasing them back to licensed operators. It benefits from industry growth without handling cannabis directly and has shown steady performance with strong rental income [5][8] - **NewLake Capital Partners (NLCP)**: Operates as a REIT with a concentrated portfolio of dispensaries and cultivation facilities. It emphasizes careful tenant selection and has maintained conservative debt levels, appealing to cautious investors [9][11] - **Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance (REFI)**: Provides secured loans to licensed operators, focusing on senior secured credit. This model allows it to command attractive interest rates in a market underserved by traditional banks [12][14]

Top Cannabis REITs to Watch in December 2025Cannabis real estate investment trusts remain a unique way to gain sector exposure. Instead of selling cannabis, these companies collect rent or interest. As a result, they reduce direct operational risk. Still, tenant health and capital markets remain critical factors. As December 2025 approaches, several names stand out for investors. In particular, Innovative Industrial Properties, NewLake Capital Partners, and Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance deserve atten ...

Core Viewpoint - Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.47 per share for Q4 2025, reflecting an annualized rate of $1.88 per common share, payable on January 15, 2026 [1] Company Overview - Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. is a leading commercial mortgage REIT that specializes in originating senior secured loans primarily to state-licensed cannabis operators in limited-license states across the United States [2] - The company operates under the Chicago Atlantic platform, with offices located in Chicago, Miami, New York, and London [2]

Core Insights - The ancillary cannabis sector is gaining attention as it provides essential services without directly handling the plant, facing fewer regulatory challenges compared to plant-touching companies [1][2] - Despite a slowdown in the U.S. cannabis market growth in 2025, analysts maintain a long-term positive outlook, prompting investors to seek stable investment opportunities [1][2] Industry Overview - The U.S. cannabis market is expanding, with new recreational states emerging, although the growth rate has decelerated in 2025 [1] - Ancillary companies are less affected by retail price fluctuations, providing a more predictable revenue stream, making them attractive to investors [2] Company Profiles Innovative Industrial Properties (IIPR) - IIPR is a leading cannabis real estate investment trust, focusing on cultivation and processing facilities with long-term triple-net lease agreements [5][6] - The company operates primarily in limited-license states, ensuring stable demand and indirect exposure to retail performance [6][8] - Despite industry challenges, IIPR remains profitable, maintaining a conservative balance sheet and steady rental income [8][9] NewLake Capital Partners (NLCP) - NLCP adopts a focused approach, owning both industrial and dispensary properties under triple-net leases, ensuring steady rental income [10][12] - The company emphasizes conservative borrowing and predictable income, making it a lower-risk option in the ancillary sector [12][13] - NLCP has maintained stable financial performance and continues to pay solid dividends, with potential for growth as new recreational states emerge [14][15] Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance (REFI) - REFI operates as a commercial mortgage REIT, providing secured loans to cannabis operators rather than owning properties, which reduces operational risk [16][19] - The company focuses on credit quality and capital preservation, generating attractive interest income from its loan portfolio [18][19] - REFI's strategy allows it to participate in cannabis growth while avoiding many risks associated with cultivation or retail operations [19]

Industry Overview - The cannabis industry has experienced significant growth since the first state legalized cannabis, leading to opportunities for investors [1] - Legal operators in the cannabis sector are facing challenges that may impact trading for marijuana stocks [2] - The outcome of upcoming federal reform legislation will be crucial for the trading behavior of marijuana stocks [3] Company Highlights - **Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. (NYSE:IIPR)**: A real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on specialized industrial properties and life science real estate [4] - **Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NASDAQ:REFI)**: Reported total revenues of $64.7 million and net income of $28.3 million, or $0.97 per share for Q3 2025 [7] - The company paid a quarterly dividend of $1.90 per common share on October 15, 2025, with a debt to total gross assets ratio of 13% and total gross assets of $2.7 billion [7] - **NewLake Capital Partners, Inc.**: An internally-managed REIT providing real estate capital to state-licensed cannabis operators [12] - The company advanced approximately $3.3 million to existing borrowers from October 1, 2025, to November 4, 2025, and had total liquidity of approximately $63 million as of November 4, 2025 [14]

Core Insights - The ancillary cannabis sector is gaining interest as it navigates a changing landscape, with ancillary operators facing fewer challenges compared to traditional cannabis companies [1][2] - The U.S. cannabis industry continues to grow, with increasing consumer demand and the development of new markets, benefiting ancillary providers [2][3] - Expectations for federal reform could enhance the long-term outlook for ancillary stocks, particularly those involved in real estate and structured lending [3] Summary of Key Companies - **Innovative Industrial Properties (IIPR)**: A specialized real estate investment trust (REIT) that supports regulated cannabis operators through long-term net leases, focusing on cultivation and processing facilities in key states. The company benefits from stable rental agreements and has a conservative financial strategy, maintaining strong cash reserves and manageable debt [5][8] - **NewLake Capital Partners (NLCP)**: Another cannabis-focused REIT that leases to operators across cultivation and retail-support properties. It emphasizes high-quality assets and long-term leases, maintaining a diverse tenant base to balance revenue streams. The company shows steady growth and low leverage, appealing to investors seeking stability [9][11] - **Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance (REFI)**: A commercial mortgage REIT that provides senior secured loans to state-licensed cannabis operators. This model allows REFI to capture high-interest income while maintaining collateral control. The company focuses on limited-license states and maintains a disciplined credit approach, generating predictable revenue from interest payments [12][14]