Cannabis Defaults Are Piling Up: 3 Companies Just Missed Payments—Who's At Risk Next?
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 31 2025
0mins
Should l Buy IIPR?
Source: Benzinga
Financial Distress in Cannabis Industry: Major cannabis companies, including Gold Flora, 4Front Ventures, and TILT Holdings, have defaulted on real estate leases due to financial struggles exacerbated by high taxation, oversaturation, and limited access to capital.
Indicators of Further Defaults: The liabilities-to-market cap ratio serves as a warning sign for potential defaults, with several companies like Cannabist Holdings and AYR Wellness showing signs of distress, indicating a broader liquidity crisis within the industry.
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Analyst Views on IIPR
Wall Street analysts forecast IIPR stock price to rise
4 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
2 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 46.910
Low
44.00
Averages
61.33
High
90.00
Current: 46.910
Low
44.00
Averages
61.33
High
90.00
About IIPR
Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. is an internally managed real estate investment trust (REIT). The Company is focused on the acquisition, ownership and management of specialized industrial properties leased to experienced, state-licensed operators for their regulated cannabis facilities. It acquires its properties through sale-leaseback transactions and third-party purchases. The Company owns approximately 109 properties comprising an aggregate of 9.0 million rentable square feet (including 666,000 rentable square feet under development/redevelopment) in 19 states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. Its subsidiary is IIP Operating Partnership, LP (Operating Partnership).
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Innovative Industrial Properties Faces Challenges and Opportunities
- Significant Stock Decline: Innovative Industrial Properties' stock has plummeted over 60% since Q3 2024, reflecting market concerns about its future growth, particularly amid ongoing revenue declines that have shaken investor confidence.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: Analysts project a slight revenue growth in 2026, estimating revenues at $269.7 million, which is approximately 1.5% above 2025's anticipated figures; while the growth is modest, it is a positive shift compared to recent revenue declines.
- Potential Regulatory Benefits: The rescheduling of marijuana to Schedule III could eliminate Section 280E of the tax code, potentially improving tenants' financial positions and enhancing their ability to pay rents, which could positively impact Innovative Industrial Properties' future revenues.
- Dividend Reliability in Question: Despite a high current dividend yield of 15.7%, the adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) reported in Q3 2025 were $1.71, insufficient to cover the $1.90 dividend payout, raising concerns that a dividend cut could lead to a sharp decline in stock price.
See More
Innovative Industrial Properties Faces Challenges and Opportunities
- Significant Stock Decline: Innovative Industrial Properties has seen its stock plunge over 60% since its peak in Q3 2024, reflecting market concerns about its future growth and impacting investor confidence.
- Dividend Appeal: Despite the challenges, the REIT offers an attractive dividend yield of 15.7%, providing some cash flow support for investors; however, the sustainability of this high dividend remains in question.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: Analysts project a slight revenue increase in 2026, estimating $269.7 million, which represents a modest 1.5% growth over 2025, a positive sign compared to recent revenue declines.
- Regulatory Change Impact: The potential rescheduling of marijuana to Schedule III could eliminate the limitations imposed by Section 280E of the tax code, improving tenants' financial positions and enhancing their ability to pay rents, which is crucial for Innovative Industrial Properties' future prospects.
See More
Dividend Analysis for Innovative Industrial Properties Inc.
- Dividend Yield Expectation: Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. (IIPR) currently boasts an annualized dividend yield of 15.8%, and assessing the sustainability of this high yield requires evaluating the company's profitability fluctuations to determine future dividend stability.
- Historical Volatility Analysis: With a current stock price of $48.13, IIPR's trailing twelve-month trading history reveals a volatility of 43%, which may impact investor confidence in dividend and options strategies due to the high level of price fluctuation.
- Options Strategy Consideration: When contemplating selling a June covered call at a $50 strike price, investors must weigh the potential rewards against the risk of capping upside gains beyond $50, ensuring the strategy remains sound and justifiable.
- Market Sentiment Factors: While most options may expire worthless, analyzing market sentiment and investor behavior regarding IIPR's options remains crucial for understanding market dynamics and making informed investment decisions.
See More
U.S. Cannabis Stocks Outlook Brightens Following Executive Order
- Policy Shift Impact: The Trump Administration's December 18 Executive Order to reclassify marijuana from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3, while still facing regulatory hurdles, will allow cannabis businesses to deduct expenses, enhancing profitability and competitive positioning in the market.
- Market Expansion Opportunities: States like Pennsylvania and Florida are nearing adult-use sales, which is expected to drive market demand further, particularly benefiting profitable companies such as Green Thumb Industries and NewLake Capital Partners.
- Green Thumb Performance Growth: Green Thumb reported third-quarter revenue of $291 million, up 1.6% year-over-year, with prepackaged sales rising 8%, indicating strong market performance and brand influence despite a slight decline in retail sales.
- NewLake's Stable Income: As a REIT focused on cannabis companies, NewLake's third-quarter revenue reached $12.6 million, up 0.3% year-over-year, with an attractive 11.44% dividend yield and low debt levels, providing a solid foundation for future growth.
See More
Invesco KBW Premium Yield ETF Offers $1.51 Annual Payout, High 9.1% Yield
- High Yield Attracts Investors: The Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT ETF has paid out over $1.51 per share monthly over the past year, translating to a 9.1% yield based on Friday's close of $16.61, drawing interest from risk-tolerant investors despite the underlying risks associated with such high yields.
- Diverse Holdings Structure: The ETF's largest holding, Innovative Industrial Properties, focuses on leasing to licensed operators in the cannabis industry, and while its 15% yield is appealing, the stock has dropped 25% over the past year, indicating instability in its profitability.
- Disappointing Market Performance: Despite its high yield and monthly distributions, the Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT ETF has received Morningstar's lowest one-star rating over the past three, five, and ten years, reflecting its weak long-term performance with a 6% decline in share price over the past year.
- High Risk Assessment: Morningstar rates the ETF's risk score at 99 out of 100, indicating that its portfolio consists of many small- and mid-cap REITs, which, while offering high yields, also entail greater market volatility risks.
See More
Invesco KBW Premium Yield REIT ETF Declares 7.72% Monthly Yield
- High Yield Attracts Investors: The Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT ETF boasts a current SEC 30-day yield of 7.72%, ranking among the highest in its category, drawing interest from risk-tolerant investors despite a gradual decline in its distribution rate since 2023.
- Distribution Performance: Over the past year, the ETF has paid out over $1.51 per share in monthly distributions, translating to an annualized yield of 9.1% based on a closing price of $16.61, but this high yield comes with investments in smaller, riskier REITs.
- Risk Assessment: Morningstar rates the ETF's risk score at 99 out of 100, indicating a high-risk profile, particularly due to challenges faced by its largest holding, Innovative Industrial Properties, which has recently encountered tenant defaults and dividend cuts.
- Market Performance Volatility: Although the ETF has rebounded this year, its shares are down 6% over the past year and 21% over the past five years, highlighting the tension between its high yield appeal and market volatility, necessitating careful evaluation of its sustainability.
See More
Innovative Industrial Properties Faces Challenges and Opportunities
- Significant Stock Decline: Innovative Industrial Properties' stock has plummeted over 60% since Q3 2024, reflecting market concerns about its future growth, particularly amid ongoing revenue declines that have shaken investor confidence.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: Analysts project a slight revenue growth in 2026, estimating revenues at $269.7 million, which is approximately 1.5% above 2025's anticipated figures; while the growth is modest, it is a positive shift compared to recent revenue declines.
- Potential Regulatory Benefits: The rescheduling of marijuana to Schedule III could eliminate Section 280E of the tax code, potentially improving tenants' financial positions and enhancing their ability to pay rents, which could positively impact Innovative Industrial Properties' future revenues.
- Dividend Reliability in Question: Despite a high current dividend yield of 15.7%, the adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) reported in Q3 2025 were $1.71, insufficient to cover the $1.90 dividend payout, raising concerns that a dividend cut could lead to a sharp decline in stock price.
See More
Innovative Industrial Properties Faces Challenges and Opportunities
- Significant Stock Decline: Innovative Industrial Properties has seen its stock plunge over 60% since its peak in Q3 2024, reflecting market concerns about its future growth and impacting investor confidence.
- Dividend Appeal: Despite the challenges, the REIT offers an attractive dividend yield of 15.7%, providing some cash flow support for investors; however, the sustainability of this high dividend remains in question.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: Analysts project a slight revenue increase in 2026, estimating $269.7 million, which represents a modest 1.5% growth over 2025, a positive sign compared to recent revenue declines.
- Regulatory Change Impact: The potential rescheduling of marijuana to Schedule III could eliminate the limitations imposed by Section 280E of the tax code, improving tenants' financial positions and enhancing their ability to pay rents, which is crucial for Innovative Industrial Properties' future prospects.
See More
Dividend Analysis for Innovative Industrial Properties Inc.
- Dividend Yield Expectation: Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. (IIPR) currently boasts an annualized dividend yield of 15.8%, and assessing the sustainability of this high yield requires evaluating the company's profitability fluctuations to determine future dividend stability.
- Historical Volatility Analysis: With a current stock price of $48.13, IIPR's trailing twelve-month trading history reveals a volatility of 43%, which may impact investor confidence in dividend and options strategies due to the high level of price fluctuation.
- Options Strategy Consideration: When contemplating selling a June covered call at a $50 strike price, investors must weigh the potential rewards against the risk of capping upside gains beyond $50, ensuring the strategy remains sound and justifiable.
- Market Sentiment Factors: While most options may expire worthless, analyzing market sentiment and investor behavior regarding IIPR's options remains crucial for understanding market dynamics and making informed investment decisions.
See More
U.S. Cannabis Stocks Outlook Brightens Following Executive Order
- Policy Shift Impact: The Trump Administration's December 18 Executive Order to reclassify marijuana from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3, while still facing regulatory hurdles, will allow cannabis businesses to deduct expenses, enhancing profitability and competitive positioning in the market.
- Market Expansion Opportunities: States like Pennsylvania and Florida are nearing adult-use sales, which is expected to drive market demand further, particularly benefiting profitable companies such as Green Thumb Industries and NewLake Capital Partners.
- Green Thumb Performance Growth: Green Thumb reported third-quarter revenue of $291 million, up 1.6% year-over-year, with prepackaged sales rising 8%, indicating strong market performance and brand influence despite a slight decline in retail sales.
- NewLake's Stable Income: As a REIT focused on cannabis companies, NewLake's third-quarter revenue reached $12.6 million, up 0.3% year-over-year, with an attractive 11.44% dividend yield and low debt levels, providing a solid foundation for future growth.
See More
Invesco KBW Premium Yield ETF Offers $1.51 Annual Payout, High 9.1% Yield
- High Yield Attracts Investors: The Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT ETF has paid out over $1.51 per share monthly over the past year, translating to a 9.1% yield based on Friday's close of $16.61, drawing interest from risk-tolerant investors despite the underlying risks associated with such high yields.
- Diverse Holdings Structure: The ETF's largest holding, Innovative Industrial Properties, focuses on leasing to licensed operators in the cannabis industry, and while its 15% yield is appealing, the stock has dropped 25% over the past year, indicating instability in its profitability.
- Disappointing Market Performance: Despite its high yield and monthly distributions, the Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT ETF has received Morningstar's lowest one-star rating over the past three, five, and ten years, reflecting its weak long-term performance with a 6% decline in share price over the past year.
- High Risk Assessment: Morningstar rates the ETF's risk score at 99 out of 100, indicating that its portfolio consists of many small- and mid-cap REITs, which, while offering high yields, also entail greater market volatility risks.
See More
Invesco KBW Premium Yield REIT ETF Declares 7.72% Monthly Yield
- High Yield Attracts Investors: The Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT ETF boasts a current SEC 30-day yield of 7.72%, ranking among the highest in its category, drawing interest from risk-tolerant investors despite a gradual decline in its distribution rate since 2023.
- Distribution Performance: Over the past year, the ETF has paid out over $1.51 per share in monthly distributions, translating to an annualized yield of 9.1% based on a closing price of $16.61, but this high yield comes with investments in smaller, riskier REITs.
- Risk Assessment: Morningstar rates the ETF's risk score at 99 out of 100, indicating a high-risk profile, particularly due to challenges faced by its largest holding, Innovative Industrial Properties, which has recently encountered tenant defaults and dividend cuts.
- Market Performance Volatility: Although the ETF has rebounded this year, its shares are down 6% over the past year and 21% over the past five years, highlighting the tension between its high yield appeal and market volatility, necessitating careful evaluation of its sustainability.
See More
