New Opportunities in Cannabis-Related Lending

Thursday, July 30, 2026 1 PM ET | 75 Minutes

The cannabis lending landscape continues to evolve, and financial institutions have more entry points than ever for both ancillary, non-plant-touching businesses or direct plant-touching operations. As the market matures, a secondary market for cannabis-related loans is also emerging, giving banks and credit unions new tools to manage concentration risk and portfolio liquidity.

In this session, Green Check subject matter experts Stacy Litke and Julie Mott will walk through where the newest opportunities are for lenders today: how to responsibly serve non-plant-touching and plant-touching borrowers, and how institutions can begin accessing the secondary market for cannabis loans.

Topics Covered:

1. Opportunities for Lending to Non-Plant-Touching Businesses

  • Ancillary and service businesses supporting the cannabis supply chain (landlords, vendors, equipment providers, professional services)
  • Risk profile and underwriting differences versus direct plant-touching credits
  • Building a program that expands relationships without direct plant-touching exposure
  • Examples of non-plant-touching lending relationships

2. Opportunities for Lending to Direct Plant-Touching Businesses

  • Current state of credit demand: cultivation, processing, and retail operators
  • Collateralization, license value, and compliance monitoring considerations
  • Structuring term loans, lines of credit, and real estate-backed facilities
  • Regulatory and compliance obligations unique to plant-touching business lending
  • Competitive differentiation and retention strategies 

3. Accessing the Secondary Market for Cannabis Loans

  • Overview of the emerging secondary market for cannabis-related loans
  • Participation lending and loan sale/purchase structures
  • Managing concentration risk and portfolio liquidity through secondary market access
  • How data and documentation support secondary market transactions

Key Takeaways

  • A clear framework for evaluating non-plant-touching versus plant-touching lending opportunities
  • Practical guidance on structuring and underwriting cannabis-related loans
  • Insight into how the secondary market can support portfolio growth and risk management
  • Strategies to responsibly expand your institution’s cannabis lending program

Who Should Attend

  • Chief Lending Officers
  • Chief Credit Officers
  • CEOs & Presidents
  • CFOs
  • Credit Analysts
  • Compliance & Risk Officers
  • Board Members
  • Commercial Lending Teams
  • Business Development Officers
MEET OUR

Presenters

Stacy Litke

VP, Banking Programs, Green Check

Stacy Litke is VP of Banking Programs at Green Check Verified with decades of experience in the financial services industry.  Time spent in retail, lending, operations, and technology — and from the seats of a community banker, fintech executive, and consultant — has provided Stacy with a comprehensive view of the industry.  Prior to joining Green Check, Stacy was SVP of Operations for a Massachusetts-based, $900 million institution.  Today, she uses her collective experience to help financial institutions with compliant cannabis banking programs.

Julie Mott

VP, Implementations & Conversions, Green Check Verified

Julie Mott is the VP of Implementations and Conversions at Green Check. She has over two decades of experience working for banks and credit unions in operations, retail, and lending. Prior to joining Green Check, Julie was VP, Deposit Operations Manager for a Rhode Island based, $1.3B institution. She is committed to ensuring exemplary service and support to each of Green Check’s partner financial institutions.