Verano Holdings Corp. announced the opening of Zen Leaf Newington, the Company's second social equity joint venture location in Connecticut and fourth cannabis dispensary statewide, on October 13, following a ceremonial ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. local time. Zen Leaf Newington, located at 2903 Berlin Turnpike.

In opening Zen Leaf Newington, Verano received support for the Company's approved social equity plan by several local organizations, including Connecticut Foodshare, Connecticut Pardon Team, New Life II Ministries of New Britain, North Oak Neighborhood Revitalization Zone of New Britain, St. Mark's Church of New Britain and the New Britain Food & Resource Center. Verano's expanding vertical operations in Connecticut encompass CTPharma, 217,000 square foot cultivation and processing facility in Rocky Hill that produces a variety of Connecticut's most popular cannabis products, and Zen Leaf dispensaries in Meriden (hybrid), Norwich (hybrid) and Waterbury (presently medical-only).

Including both Zen Leaf Newington and Zen Leaf Norwich, the Company plans to open a total of six equity joint venture dispensaries across Connecticut with its social equity partners in the months ahead, subject to obtaining all customary approvals, which would raise Verano's total retail footprint to eight stores nationwide.