Riding the Marijuana Reclassification Wave: 3 Stocks to Watch in 2026

Industry Overview - 2025 is anticipated to be a breakthrough year for the cannabis industry, with signs of growth and regulatory progress emerging after years of stagnation [2] - President Trump signed an executive order to reclassify marijuana to Schedule III, acknowledging its medical use and potentially improving the industry's profitability by eliminating IRS Rule 280E [3][4] Company Analysis: Cronos Group - Cronos Group holds a Zacks Rank 1 and is expanding its international presence, recently acquiring CanAdelaar B.V. for $67 million, positioning itself in the Netherlands' adult-use market [5][6] - The company has shown operational progress with revenue growth driven by demand in Europe and Israel, and improved gross margins due to a focus on higher-value markets [7] - Estimates for Cronos' 2025 loss per share have narrowed from 8 cents to 1 cent, while EPS estimates for 2026 have increased from 6 cents to 8 cents; the stock has risen approximately 30% year to date [8] Company Analysis: Village Farms - Village Farms also has a Zacks Rank 1 and is enhancing its cannabis operations by exiting fresh-produce businesses to focus on higher-margin cannabis assets, leading to improved performance [9][10] - The company's medical cannabis export sales surged 758% year over year in Q3 2026, driven by strong demand in Germany and other international markets [10][11] - EPS estimates for Village Farms have increased from 12 cents to 21 cents for 2025, and from 14 cents to 24 cents for 2026; the stock has skyrocketed 371% year to date [12] Company Analysis: Tilray Brands - Tilray Brands, with a Zacks Rank 3, is expanding its medical cannabis operations in Europe, particularly in Germany and Italy, supported by new product launches and its distribution network [13] - The company is diversifying its portfolio with craft beverages to stabilize results, while its cannabis business benefits from stronger Canadian adult-use demand and growth in international medical sales [14] - Loss estimates per share for Tilray's fiscal 2026 have improved from 27 cents to 25 cents, although shares have declined by 32% this year [15]