Cannabis & Alternatives — Global Cannabis Consolidation Accelerates as Somai Pharmaceuticals Expands to 18 Countries Amid Industry-Wide Pressure

Cannabis & Alternatives · 2026-02-25

The cannabis industry is entering a critical phase of international consolidation and professionalization, with clear divergence between scaled pharmaceutical operators and struggling local retailers. This structural shift is evidenced by Somai Pharmaceuticals' expansion from 12 to 18 countries while operating under stringent pharmaceutical standards, contrasting sharply with the widespread…

OPENING While local cannabis operators fight for survival in their home markets, a new playbook for global cannabis domination is being written in real time. The contrast between Somai Pharmaceuticals' ambitious multi-country expansion and the struggle of regional retailers reveals a stark reality about the industry's future trajectory.

The cannabis industry stands at a pivotal crossroads, where the traditional model of building strong local operations before expanding is being turned on its head. What Somai Pharmaceuticals has recognized – and what many operators are missing – is that the real opportunity lies in approaching cannabis through a pharmaceutical lens while simultaneously building multi-market infrastructure. This isn't just about having operations in multiple countries; it's about fundamentally reframing how we think about scale in the cannabis industry.

The survival challenges facing retailers in 2026 aren't merely cyclical – they're structural. While many operators focus on weathering the current storm through cost-cutting and operational efficiency, they're missing the bigger picture. The future belongs to companies that can navigate complex regulatory frameworks across borders while maintaining pharmaceutical-grade standards. This approach requires significant upfront investment and regulatory expertise, but it also creates defensible competitive advantages that local-only operators simply cannot match.

What's particularly telling is the timing of these parallel narratives. As retail operators hunker down for another challenging year, Somai's expansion from 12 to 18 countries signals a profound shift in industry dynamics. This isn't just about having deep pockets – it's about having the vision and operational discipline to build a truly global cannabis enterprise while others remain trapped in thinking small.

The implications for the industry are far-reaching. The cannabis sector is rapidly bifurcating into two distinct tracks: local operators fighting for survival in increasingly saturated markets, and sophisticated global players building pharmaceutical-grade operations across multiple jurisdictions. This split suggests that the industry's future may look more like big pharma than the craft brewery model many originally envisioned.

WHAT TO WATCH Keep your eyes on cross-border partnerships and pharmaceutical-grade facility investments in the coming months. The next wave of industry consolidation won't be driven by local market share battles, but by companies that can bridge regulatory gaps between markets while maintaining stringent quality standards. Those who can't evolve beyond the local operator mindset may find themselves increasingly marginalized in an industry that's rapidly going global.