A stable and equitable cannabis industry depends on access to smart, reliable financial solutions. At NCIA, our network includes financial innovators who help businesses grow responsibly and sustainably. Through our “Rooted in Community” series, we highlight the members driving that progress. This month, we’re proud to spotlight Evergreen Member and NCIA Board Member Adam Stettner, CEO and Founder of FundCanna –  the leading source of capital for the cannabis industry nationwide. 

NCIA:  What financial solutions does FundCanna provide, and which segments of the cannabis industry benefit most from your services?

Adam Stettner:  FundCanna provides short-term, non-dilutive financing to licensed cannabis businesses, including cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and ancillary providers. We help operators manage cash flow, move faster, and grow sustainably without giving up ownership.

In 2025, we expanded that mission with ReadyPaid, the first embedded B2B Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solution built specifically for the cannabis supply chain. ReadyPaid gives sellers immediate payment and buyers flexible terms, addressing one of the industry’s biggest challenges — delinquent receivables — while FundCanna’s broader financing solutions work to fuel growth, stabilize cash flow and keep capital moving throughout the legal market.

NCIA:  How is the cannabis industry evolving in your state, and are there any state bills or policy priorities where NCIA members’ support could make a meaningful impact?

AS:  We work nationally and have funded clients in 43 states, so they all matter. Our home state is California, where the legal cannabis market is mature and consolidating. Many smaller operators are finding it harder to compete under high tax burdens, rising compliance costs, and persistent pressure from illicit operators. While demand remains, the regulated market has to work harder to stay viable.

A recent win came with AB 564, which resets the state’s excise tax to 15% (from 19%) through 2028, giving licensed businesses a bit more breathing room.

If NCIA members support measures that reduce unnecessary tax pressure, bring regulatory clarity, and level the playing field with illicit channels, that strengthens the entire ecosystem from operators to service providers like us.

Personally, I believe the entire plant deserves a fair and legal framework.

NCIA:  What motivated FundCanna to join NCIA, and how does the organization’s mission align with your own?

AS:  Advocacy plays a vital role in shaping policy in ways that individual companies simply cannot and we understand that collective representation is essential for creating systemic, long-term change.

FundCanna joined NCIA to help strengthen the financial foundation of the cannabis industry. For me, it’s about listening to the needs of the community and advancing fair access to capital and responsible growth for legitimate operators.

We joined to do the work, not just talk about it. We actively support NCIA’s mission through advocacy, education, and by helping more cannabis businesses take part in those same conversations. Through that effort, we’ve sponsored more than 100 operators to join NCIA, ensuring the people driving this industry forward also have a voice in shaping its future. 

NCIA:  How does NCIA membership contribute to FundCanna’s mission and long-term vision for the industry?

AS:  NCIA allows FundCanna to actively support and help shape the future of the cannabis industry by learning, networking and advancing reasonable regulations and laws. For us, it’s an opportunity to stay close to the issues that matter most to our clients and to contribute where we can add value.

Membership also keeps us grounded. It’s a reminder that progress in cannabis depends on collective effort and that the best ideas often come directly from the operators living it every day.

NCIA:  Tell us about a relationship NCIA membership has helped you build?

AS:  NCIA has helped us build meaningful relationships across the supply chain. We’ve connected with operators, advocacy groups, and policymakers who share a commitment to building a stronger, more sustainable industry. Some of those connections have become long-term partnerships, both through the businesses we fund and the organizations we support.

It’s a reminder that progress in cannabis doesn’t happen in isolation. The more we collaborate, the better this industry becomes for everyone involved.

I value my fellow board members greatly. They’re smart, innovative and dedicated to viable business practices for cannabis.

NCIA:  From a customer’s perspective, what makes FundCanna stand out from competitors?

AS:  FundCanna exclusively serves the cannabis and hemp industries. We understand how operators run their businesses and the challenges that come with managing cash flow. Unlike traditional lenders or investors, we move quickly and only focus on debt and factoring.

We bring more than 20 years and nearly $20 billion of funding/lending experience in consumer and commercial lending. Our focus is partnership over transactions, offering ongoing support and transparency to help clients grow sustainably in a challenging, evolving market. On average, clients who work with us grow their businesses by more than 70 percent.

I often say we’re like the ultimate business partner. We provide the funding with no ownership. We don’t tell you what to do, but we are always available to support growth and smoothing cash flow.

NCIA:  What is a favorite memory you associate with the NCIA community?

AS:  Lobby Days in D.C., easy!

NCIA:  What have been the most significant changes or milestones in your company’s journey since it began?

AS:  We launched FundCanna in 2021 to solve one problem: access to capital for licensed cannabis operators. The goal was simple: give this industry the same kind of financial tools every other industry  takes for granted. In just a few years, we have reviewed nearly 6,000 applications, approved nearly $500 million, and funded almost $250 million to operators across the country.

What began as a straightforward funding platform has grown into a financial infrastructure company for the cannabis economy. We have built technology that delivers faster underwriting and real-time funding decisions. In 2025, we’ve expanded that innovation with ReadyPaid, a Buy Now, Pay Later program that brings predictability and transparency to how businesses pay and get paid, solving the delinquent and disjointed account receivable issue.

Today, FundCanna is not just filling a gap. It is helping define what financial access in this industry should look like. We continue to invest in technology, data, and partnerships that strengthen liquidity, trust, and stability across the legal market.

Dedicated members like FundCanna are the backbone of NCIA’s community. United by a shared belief in the future of cannabis, we’re building an industry that will stand as a vital force in the national economy.  One that is fairly taxed, responsibly regulated, and accessible to the patients who need it most. Thank you, FundCanna, for being truly Rooted in the Community!

Alongside our members, NCIA is building a stronger cannabis industry driven by shared purpose. Join the community, join NCIA.