What best describes horizontal integration?

Horizontal integration refers to a business strategy where a company acquires or merges with other businesses at the same level of the supply chain, often to expand its market reach and eliminate competition. In the context of the cannabis industry, holding the same type of license in multiple jurisdictions exemplifies horizontal integration because it allows a company to operate in various locations, thereby increasing its market presence without diversifying into different product lines or stages of production.

This strategy can help a business capitalize on the brand recognition and operational efficiencies it has already developed, maximizing its resources and enhancing its competitive position across regions. Operating under the same license type across different areas ensures that the business maintains a uniform standard of operations while expanding its reach.

The other options discuss strategies unrelated to the concept of horizontal integration. Options that involve holding various licenses across different product lines depict a vertical integration strategy, while working exclusively in one region or focusing only on cultivation suggest a limited operational scope that does not align with the broader approach of horizontal integration.