420 with CNW – Marijuana Justice Initiative Could Wipe Off Some Cannabis Convictions in Washington

Washington State Governor, Jay Inslee, issued a statement on Friday (January 4) announcing a “marijuana justice initiative” which will help residents with a single cannabis misdemeanor conviction on their record to apply for clemency.

The initiative is intended to reflect the current change regarding the status of marijuana in the state. The Democratic Governor felt that it was unfair for state residents to continue being adversely affected by a minor marijuana possession conviction long after the substance became legal to consume.

Under the initiative, approximately 3,500 people would be eligible for clemency. This estimate was arrived at after looking at the records of the misdemeanor convictions between January 1998 and December 2012.

The initiative will only be open to individuals who are residents of the state and they were prosecuted within the state. Those with more than one conviction aren’t eligible under this plan.

Similar plans to expunge marijuana criminal records in other jurisdictions have been dogged by complaints that the process is slow and expensive, sometimes not worth the effort expended. However, Washington State will process the clemency applications online, and this should expedite the process and make it affordable.

Speaking at a marijuana industry conference, the Governor said it was unfair for people to continue finding it hard to secure financing, get jobs or even accompany their kids on some excursions just because a given individual has a marijuana conviction dating way back. Wiping such convictions from the criminal record of the affected people would allow them to have as much of a normal life as possible in light of the way marijuana law has evolved in the state.

The website through which eligible individuals can apply for clemency has a form that one must fill out. It is not clear at this point what else will be required once someone has filled that form. It is also not known how long the clemency application will take before an applicant knows the outcome of the application.

For now, everyone in the industry, including Global Payout, Inc. (OTC: GOHE) and Generation Alpha, Inc. (OTCQB: GNAL) are glad that the past will no longer unjustifiably haunt people who were found guilty of possessing small amounts of a substance that is now legal.

Those who aren’t directly affected by such a blot on their history may think that the marijuana justice initiative is too little and too late, but tell that to someone who wants to buy a home and his or her financier rejects the mortgage application after doing a background check on the person. The initiative may just be what a person needs to hope and believe in a better future.

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420 with CNW – Mexico to Consult Other Countries on Cannabis Legalization, Minister Reveals

The election of a new government in Mexico paved the way for quick steps to be made towards the legalization of recreational cannabis. Now the foreign minister of the country has told a Mexican Senate committee that lessons are going to be drawn from countries and jurisdictions where legalization has already occurred.

The government officials will visit Uruguay and Canada, as well as California and other U.S. states where recreational and medical cannabis are legal. Apparently, a Mexican team has already visited Canada to learn about this important process.

Additionally, a bill was filed before the Mexican Senate last month seeking to legalize recreational cannabis in the country.

Several factors have worked together to bring Mexico to this point regarding its policy on marijuana.

First, its war on the drug has only caused violence to spiral out of control, with gangs battling each other and the authorities on an almost daily basis. People grew weary of that endless war and started calling for another way to deal with the problem.

Secondly, the U.S. has been the biggest ally of the Mexican authorities in their battle against marijuana and other drugs (which were ultimately smuggled into the US). However, the Mexicans started questioning the wisdom of going on with an endless fight while a wave of cannabis legalization is sweeping across the states in the US. The Mexicans may have felt that it was time to take a leaf from the book of California, Colorado and the other more than 30 states where cannabis is legal either for recreational or medicinal use.

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, the Supreme Court of Mexico made a fifth ruling to the effect that private individuals could not be stopped from growing and consuming cannabis if they so wished.

What was significant about making a fifth ruling?

Under Mexican law, any matter upon which the Supreme Court makes five similar rulings automatically sets a precedent that all other courts in the country must follow. Consequently, the fifth ruling that it was unconstitutional to stop an adult from consuming marijuana meant that no court in the country could deny anyone permission to grow and consume cannabis.

The decision to pass appropriate laws regulating the consumption of cannabis was therefore a necessary step to put into practice what the Supreme Court had already authorized by default.

It is commendable that the Mexican authorities have decided to listen to, and learn from several jurisdictions that have walked the legalization path before them. There is no need to try and reinvent the wheel when lessons abound regarding what to do and what to avoid during this journey.

Global Payout, Inc. (OTC: GOHE) and Generation Alpha, Inc. (OTCQB: GNAL) applaud the rational way in which the Mexican government is approaching cannabis adult-use legalization.

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420 with CNW – Cannabis Cooking Classes Equip Maryland Patients with Edibles Making Skills

A couple that owns a gourmet condiment company in Baltimore has branched into a new niche of teaching medical cannabis card holders how to cook with cannabis. Will Parks and his wife Gwenele Parks decided to branch into cooking with cannabis because they are certified medical cannabis patients and needed other ways to consume their medicine instead of being restricted to smoking it. They imagined, and rightly so, that other patients were interested too.

Maryland banned edibles from its medical marijuana program, but the Parkses and others have partnered with some medical cannabis dispensaries in the state to teach people how to blend marijuana into various foods at home.

In order to avoid flouting the law, Will Parks and his wife don’t use actual cannabis as they conduct their cooking with cannabis classes. Instead, they use ordinary ingredients while teaching the concepts of infusing food with cannabis.

The couple has so far held six classes since July, with some sessions being sold out. Infusing food with cannabis makes the effects of the cannabis last longer since food isn’t digested and absorbed as quickly as smoking cannabis.

The number of patients on the medical cannabis program has been growing rapidly. For example, by November, the registered patients had more than doubled from the 22,437 who had got medical cannabis cards in April. This massive growth is fueling the demand for the lessons offered by the Parkses.

Many patients, such as Kiara Walker, said that they attended the classes in order to get skills to make edibles. The edibles can be carried around discreetly without attracting any of the stigma that is still directed towards those who smoke cannabis.

However, some people still regard cannabis edibles as another avenue for recreational users to abuse cannabis. Will Parks thinks such an attitude is wrong because people can abuse anything, including food and alcohol.

He emphasizes that the lessons he and his wife conduct pay a lot of attention to cannabis dosing so that patients aren’t exposed to the side-effects of consuming too much cannabis at once. Furthermore, this information on dosing is vital given that the effects of cannabis don’t start as quickly as is the case when you smoke the substance.

That wait time can expose you to the risk of eating too much, so knowledge about dosing requirements will safeguard you against that risk.

Will and his wife don’t just teach and leave it at that. They go a step further and give their students a packet of written instructions so that the people who attend the cooking classes can experiment with different recipes while at home.

This, however, doesn’t seem to quieten the critical voices against cannabis edibles and the classes organized by people like Will Parks and his wife. They say cannabis edibles can still end up in the hands of minors, but such critics forget that medical cannabis is also kept at home where minors may access it if care isn’t taken. Similar precautions are taken to keep edibles out of the wrong hands.

Nonetheless, Generation Alpha, Inc. (OTCQB: GNAL), Global Payout, Inc. (OTC: GOHE) and other participants in the marijuana industry applaud the creativity of Will and Gwenele Parks.

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420 with CNW – Iowa Doctors Reluctant to Embrace Medical Marijuana Program

Iowa is set to launch its new medical marijuana program on December 1 but the doctors within the state seem lukewarm towards this development. Currently, only 325 out of the 7,000 doctors in the state have certified patients to start receiving medical marijuana.

Under Iowa state law, doctors cannot prescribe medical marijuana since it is a controlled substance. They can only give patients written confirmation of the condition for which the patients are eligible to enroll on the medical marijuana program.

The patient can then buy medical cannabis from authorized dispensaries after receiving a medical cannabis card from the state. So far, approximately 600 patients have been certified to get on the medical cannabis program.

Many doctors, such as oncologist Richard Deming, say that they are uneasy about participating in the program because they haven’t seen any scientific research to prove that cannabis has medicinal value.

He also adds that it is hard to recommend a treatment when there isn’t any information regarding the dosing levels for the substance that someone will take as medicine. Deming added that the whole program is different from the way doctors were trained to administer medicine or provide health care.

The Des Maine oncologist ends by saying that it would be helpful if the federal government eased the restrictions on marijuana research so that more scientific data can become available on the medicinal uses of cannabis.

The views of Dr. Deming were echoed by another doctor, Steven Adelman. The physician has only certified a single patient so far. He says more cannabis research is needed to address the concerns of the medical professionals.

Dr. Adelman says that in the present circumstances, one would conclude that the hype about the medical uses of cannabis has gone ahead of any scientific basis for those claims. This needs to be corrected, he adds.

The operators of the licensed medical cannabis dispensaries feel frustrated by the reluctance of doctors to take the first step needed to get patients on the medical marijuana program. They feel that a great disservice is being done to patients since some are reporting that they are finding it difficult to discuss medical cannabis with their primary healthcare givers.

It is unfortunate that such issues are coming up when the state has just expanded the list of qualifying conditions from only uncontrollable seizure disorders and intractable epilepsy to the current list that has nearly two dozen qualifying conditions.

However, there is hope that more doctors will come on board as more awareness drives are conducted to allay any fears they may have. FinCanna Capital Corp. (CSE: CALI) (OTCQB: FNNZF), Generation Alpha, Inc. (OTCQB: GNAL) and other industry players would love to see the concerns of the doctors addressed quickly so that patients can get the care they need.

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Cannabis Industry Stays in Spotlight with Ongoing Developments

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Profitability and more widespread legality are drawing fresh investment to the cannabis sector.

Major investors and outside companies are putting big money into cannabis.
Undervalued companies provide good opportunities for new investors in the sector.
Following the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada, companies in the United States are seeing even larger market caps.
As attitudes change, more cannabis companies are expected to soon be listed on major U.S. exchanges.

With a strong pick-and-shovel strategy alongside recent direct investment in cannabis, Generation Alpha, Inc. (OTCQB: GNAL) (GNAL Profile) is among the cannabis companies seeing good growth. Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is moving to benefit from fresh investor interest through public offerings in Canada and the United States. Canopy Growth Corp. (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) has benefited from a substantial investment from Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ), the result of a trend in which U.S. alcohol and tobacco companies eye up cannabis. The industry’s upward trend is also reflected in the soaring revenues of Cronos Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON).

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

The Mainstreaming of Cannabis

A state-legal cannabis industry has existed in North America for more than 20 years. Since the legalization of medical marijuana in California in 1996, the industry has spread at a growing rate. The majority of U.S. states now allow its sale for medical purposes. One-fifth of the states, plus all of Canada, have legal recreational cannabis markets. Yet the cannabis industry remains on the fringe of the American economy, largely separate from the work of mainstream businesses and investors.

That’s now changing. Growing numbers of investors are putting money into cannabis, cannabis companies are able to raise substantial capital for growth initiatives, and large enterprises have taken an interest in cannabis-focused ventures with a view to establish partnerships and make investments. With these changes, cannabis becoming fully integrated into financial markets appears to be a logical next step.

The Acceptable Face of Cannabis

Over the past few years, the cannabis industry has seen growing acceptance of its place in society and the economy. This is due in no small part to the professionalism of the companies working in the sector, including companies such as Generation Alpha, Inc. (OTCQB: GNAL).

Generation Alpha started out as a support provider for the cannabis industry, taking a basic supply approach to the business. A vertically integrated technology innovator, the company developed, manufactured and distributed products and solutions for cannabis growers, which were springing up across the United States. As a supplier of horticultural and lighting equipment, GNAL provided essential supplies that cannabis cultivators relied on to grow their businesses.

Generation Alpha has seen rising investment in its organization. As recently as April, it announced a $25 million in investment from an existing shareholder under its previous name of Solis Tek. Other cannabis companies have also seen substantial investments over the past year.

The most practically and symbolically significant is the investment of $4 billion in Canadian company Canopy Growth by American beverage giant Constellation Brands. Not only does this move represent a huge financial boost for the company, but it also signifies an important moment for the entire industry. This massive investment from a beverage manufacturer reflects the growing interest of tobacco and alcohol companies in cannabis and their willingness to risk money in a relatively new industry, possibly signifying a bigger wave of change coming down the line.

Undervalued Assets

There’s a marked disparity between Constellations Brands’ investment in the sector and that recently received by Generation Alpha and other cannabis brands. The reason is likely because Constellation has recognized what others have not — many cannabis companies may be undervalued.

It’s hard to judge the value of assets in an industry that’s going through such big changes. But looking at the fundamentals, it’s easy to spot places where value may not yet be recognized.

Generation Alpha’s move into cultivation and processing of cannabis is an example of this. The company recently acquired a cultivation and processing facility in Phoenix, Arizona. GNAL is using its experience in the support side of the industry to turn this 70,000-square-foot space into a technologically advanced growing facility. With the site scheduled to become operational in the first half of 2019, the profit from this is decision should soon be realized.

The recent legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada this October showed the stark imbalance between supply and demand in the cannabis market. Within weeks, the country was facing a cannabis shortage as consumers rushed to enjoy a legal high. Similar patterns are likely to play out in U.S. states as legalization — whether for medical or for recreational purposes — spreads across the country. If, as many expect, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ departure leads the Trump administration to a more liberal stance, then rising demand is even more likely, ensuring both an eager market and a good price for the product coming out of Generation Alpha’s facility.

And then there’s the long view. Big businesses now have a vested interest in cannabis. This interest will naturally lead to heavier lobbying for reform of anti-cannabis laws; not just in the United States, but around the world. The next decade will likely be a time of huge global growth for the industry, thanks to social and political change. The value of companies such as Generation Alpha could grow significantly as these pioneering cannabis companies set their sights on becoming the backbone of a mature global industry.

The Canada Effect

Events in Canada provide the surest signs of the coming shift.

As the first G8 country to legalize recreational cannabis, Canada is setting an example for the world, converting cannabis consumption from a drain on law enforcement into an asset that provides tax income for the government. The change hasn’t just affected Canadian companies; it has also touched those in the United States, including Generation Alpha. Both north and south of the border, the market cap for cannabis has grown as investors strategically place their money into the burgeoning industry.

Canada is now leading the way in cannabis. While it might take time for the United States to catch up at a federal level, American companies are already feeling the benefits.

Onto the Exchanges

All this growth means more companies listing on major markets. Together with a broader social shift in attitudes towards cannabis, a change at the top of the economy is extremely likely. As the power of cannabis companies grows, it’s surely only a matter of time before major U.S. exchanges add more American cannabis companies. With that, these companies will be able to tap into even more resources through the finance of major investors. And once the inconsistency between federal and state law is addressed, major banking will add another route to funds.

Companies with strong, proven strategies will be best placed to benefit from this surge in funding. With its core pick-and-shovel strategy, Generation Alpha fits the bill. By supplying goods and services to cannabis growers, GNAL will be ideally positioned to profit from the growth while keeping a buffer between its core business and shifts in the price of cannabis. With innovations such as its high-efficiency LED lighting system, the company will be a strong competitor among other cannabis support companies.

One of the companies looking to turn cannabis’ credibility into financial resources is Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY). A prominent provider of medical marijuana, Tilray has used a well-developed research and design program to gain an edge in the fast-growing industry. It’s currently using public offerings in Canada and the United States to seek fresh funds from investors, but its ambitions aren’t limited to North America. The company has customers on five continents, thanks to the growing international acceptance of medical cannabis.

Through early moves in the sector, Canopy Growth Corp. (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) has established itself as one of the big names in Canadian cannabis. Working both alone and in partnership with others, Canopy Growth has evolved into a multifaceted company with a strong investment in brand and product differentiation.

Canopy Growth Corp. made news earlier this year when it received a second substantial round of investment from U.S. beverage company Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ). That $4 billion investment has made Constellation Brands a substantial shareholder in Canopy Growth, owning a third of the company. The investment was a major coup for the cannabis company, giving it the sort of resources that most of its competitors only dream of. But it may also prove to be an important moment for Constellation Brands, as it adds cannabis and cannabis-infused products to its repertoire of alcoholic drinks.

As tobacco and alcohol companies look for ways to deal with their own falling sales, it’s likely that a growing number will turn to cannabis, providing fresh investment for the market. When they do, there will be plenty of strong options. The growth of medical and recreational markets has led to impressive revenue growth for companies. For example, Cronos Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) saw revenues increase by 186 percent in the third quarter of 2018. By partnering with other businesses, increasing its cultivation space, and getting involved in the Latin American cannabis market, the company has been able to keep expanding its operations.

Big money is flowing into the cannabis industry. As its prestige rises, those funds are set to keep growing for a long while yet.

For more information on Generation Alpha, visit Generation Alpha, Inc. (OTCQB: GNAL)

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420 with CNW – Why Michigan May Have Decided to Levy Lower Cannabis Taxes

Michigan voters approved recreational marijuana in the recent mid-term elections and the state is now one of those with the lowest tax rates for cannabis. Didn’t Michigan need the revenue marijuana can bring? Was it playing for higher stakes? Several arguments can explain why Michigan chose the path it took.

First could have been concerns about the black market. The tax policy implemented by any state that legalizes marijuana influences whether consumers keep buying from the black market or switch to the legal product.

Michigan seems to have learnt from the pioneer states that legalized cannabis first. California has some of the highest taxes on marijuana, and it continues to struggle with the black market since illicit marijuana still costs much less than the marijuana from regulated suppliers.

Not many consumers would be willing to pay higher prices just because what they are buying is putting money in state coffers.

The low taxes set by Michigan may be geared at driving out the black market since the legal product would be priced competitively.

Secondly, Michigan may have designed their marijuana tax policy with cannabis companies in mind. Industry players are struggling to stay competitive and profitable in the states where taxes are very high.

The prospect of setting up shop in a state with low taxes may be attractive enough to lure many players into the Michigan cannabis space.

The third possible reasons why Michigan may have decided to levy lower taxes on recreational cannabis is the need to make the product affordable to as many willing consumers as possible.

The projections of the potential volume of retail sales often factor in how many people will consume the product on a regular basis. Those calculations can come to nothing if the target buyers see it as too expensive for them to afford.

Imposing lower taxes may therefore be a smart move to bring more consumers into the industry so that the sector can have a sustainable client base.

Generally speaking, taxes on marijuana have been falling as more states legalize adult-use cannabis. California and Washington which impose taxes in the range of more than 40 percent are increasingly becoming isolated as other jurisdictions levy lower taxes.

Fortunately, voters seem to have understood the logic behind the tax policy in Michigan. They voted the ballot measure through, unlike the voters in North Dakota who voted against the proposal.

It remains to be seen whether the reasoning behind the low cannabis taxes in Michigan bears fruit or not. Generation Alpha, Inc. (OTCQB: GNAL), Global Payout, Inc. (OTC: GOHE) and other industry players wish Michigan all the best on the journey it has started as one of the latest states to permit recreational cannabis use.

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Political Wins Hold Promise for Strong Cannabis Strategies

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: State ballots and the departure of Jeff Sessions have led to fresh confidence in the cannabis sector.

The cannabis industry is going through a period of huge growth.
Two states recently voted to legalize medical cannabis and one voted to legalize recreational cannabis.
The departure of Jeff Sessions removes a significant block for the industry.
A variety of strategies—some focused on product and others on support services—are emerging to make the most of this market.

Generation Alpha, Inc. (OTCQB: GNAL) (GNAL Profile) has developed a dual strategy to make the most of this opportunity, investing in both product and supplies for producers. MedMen Enterprises, Inc. (CSE: MMEN) (OTCQX: MMNFF) is financially supporting further legal reform while building up a cultivation and retail business across several states. KushCo Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: KSHB) has grown from a packaging company to one providing a range of support services. As new niches emerge, The Green Organic Dutchman (OTCQX: TGODF) (TSX: TGOD) is staking its claim through a focus on organic, sustainably grown cannabis. Even non-cannabis companies are profiting from this growth, with Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG) investing in hydroponics offerings that will supply crucial equipment to cannabis cultivators.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

A Blooming Industry

Cannabis companies are in a jubilant mood following the results of last week’s events in American politics. At the polls, two states voted to legalize medical cannabis while another voted to permit its recreational use. Though Congress lost several pro-cannabis Republicans, a majority for the Democrats, America’s less conservative party, is a good omen for reform. And with President Trump’s sacking of Jeff Sessions, the country is now rid of a staunchly anti-cannabis attorney general.

This opens the way for companies with strong cannabis strategies to make bold moves in the coming year. From entering new states to producing fresh product lines, the options for growth and development are many. A few key considerations define the strategies of the current cannabis players.

Product Versus Infrastructure

Two basic approaches to business strategy currently dominate the cannabis market — one based on infrastructure and the other based on product. However, these strategies don’t have to be separate, and Generation Alpha, Inc. (OTCQB: GNAL) is building strong businesses by combining them. And the way this strategy plays out shows a lot about where the industry is at.

The product strategy is an obvious one and typically garners the most public attention. Companies going down the product path focus on the production, processing, and retail side of cannabis. These are the companies setting up farms and dispensaries, feeding the growing demand from consumers across North America. It a strategy that Generation Alpha recently moved into, under its previous name of Solis Tek, with the acquisition of cultivation and processing facilities.

The other strategy is to provide support services and supplies for product-oriented companies. As the market grows, there will be more and more need for such services, which profit off cannabis but are better insulated from shifts in the market and its political oversight. Generation Alpha started out with this strategy, as a vertically integrated technology innovator, developer, manufacturer and distributor bringing products and solutions to cannabis growers. Providing horticultural and lighting supplies, the company grew by providing cannabis growers with the equipment they needed.

Each strategy can work well on its own, but running a double strategy, while more complex, has real potential benefits. As both supplier and customer for cultivation equipment, companies such as Generation Alpha can create great efficiencies in their supply chains. And by developing both business streams, they can benefit from the security of a picks-and-shovels approach while also accessing the growing profits of the front-line cannabis trade.

Location, Location, Location

Choosing which states to operate in is an important consideration for American cannabis companies. Although it is widely anticipated to change, cannabis currently remains illegal at a federal level, and it is only through state-level initiatives that the market has been allowed to emerge. Cultivation and retail effectively operate on a statewide scale at best, so looking at where a state stands now and where it is likely to go in the future is vital to making savvy business decisions.

Arizona, where Generation Alpha recently acquired cultivation and processing facilities, provides a useful example of how local conditions shape the market. The state made medical cannabis legal in 2010. Despite a closely fought vote, opponents of cannabis have failed to overturn or limit the market despite ongoing campaigns. The state’s supreme court even overturned a rule keeping medical cannabis off college campuses. Arizona’s medical cannabis market seems secure.

In 2016, an attempt to legalize recreational cannabis in the state failed by a narrow margin. Medical legalization faced a similar setback in 2002, only eight years before passing. As recent generations are generally more liberal toward cannabis than their elders, it is likely that a similar pattern will play out for recreational cannabis, with a successful vote almost inevitable. Companies that have become established under the medical licensing laws will be in a strong position to make the most of this.

“We are excited about this opportunity in Arizona and its growth and profitability potential,” said Generation Alpha CEO Alan Lien. “We are pleased to have partners such as Future Farm Technologies and Yorkville Advisors to collaborate and support the build-out and growth of this facility. Our collective experience and knowledge in cannabis will position this Arizona operation for success. We are excited to commence Phase 1 of the development and construction of our state-of-the-art cultivation and processing facility and look forward to many additional opportunities in the cannabis industry.”

Expanding Operations

The potential of the Arizona market hasn’t gone unnoticed by other companies. MedMen has invested heavily in getting into the state, acquiring a top Arizona medical cannabis wholesaler.

This is part of a wider pattern of companies spending big to secure their spots in a burgeoning cannabis sector. For example, drinks giant Constellation Brands has spent billions investing in a Canadian cannabis company to give itself a foothold in the industry. Canadian and American companies are looking at cross-border investment, while outsiders are moving into the market as well.

This big spending only adds to the strength of infrastructure plays such as Generation Alpha’s strong position in cultivation equipment. Much of the money being invested will go into growing more cannabis. That means more hydroponics, lighting and related services will be needed across the legalized states. Any investment in cannabis cultivators ultimately becomes an investment in their suppliers.

Where Next for Cannabis?

The next few years promise solid growth for the cannabis industry in North America. Even before this month’s political upheavals, analysts projected that the $9 billion industry would grow to $47.3 billion by 2027.

The fallout from the mid-terms means that investors can be even more confident about what happens next. The forced resignation of Jeff Sessions removes one of the biggest obstacles to growth for the cannabis industry in the United States. Sessions, a staunch opponent of cannabis, had rescinded the Obama-era memo committing federal law enforcement to non-intervention in state-level cannabis industries. With him gone, cannabis shares rose as businesses and investors looked forward to a more tolerant regime.

This won’t mean an end to campaigning for MedMen Enterprises, Inc. (CSE: MMEN) (OTCQX: MMNFF), the largest financial supporter of progressive marijuana laws, but it does mean that the company’s campaigning efforts are more likely to pay off, creating space for expansion of its cultivation and retail business. The company already operates 19 facilities in four states and has recently announced the addition of a fifth, through a move into Arizona. Despite the limitations created by federal laws, MedMen is showing that cannabis companies can operate on an inter-state level.

Like Generation Alpha, KushCo Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: KSHB) entered the sector by providing support services to cannabis producers, in the form of packaging solutions. The company has since expanded its operations, creating a one-stop shop for the cannabis market. Seeing the huge potential currently available, it has recently formed an advisory board to guide strategic growth initiatives, making the most of a constantly expanding market.

While KushCo provides another example of the infrastructure strategy, The Green Organic Dutchman (OTCQX: TGODF) (TSX: TGOD) is focused on product. A producer of organic, sustainably grown cannabis, the company is making the most of the connection between cannabis consumption and concern with environmental issues. In a market large enough to start dividing into specialist niches, it is tapping into the higher prices people will pay for organic products.

Not every company profiting from cannabis is focused on that market. Lawn, garden and outdoor living company Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG) has been benefiting from the demand for cultivation equipment that cannabis’s success brings. It recently acquired the United States’ foremost distributor of hydroponic equipment, which is crucial to the cultivation of cannabis. As the cannabis industry grows, so too does hydroponics.

Political change offers further growth for an already flourishing industry, allowing profits from a wide range of strategies.

For more information on Generation Alpha, visit Generation Alpha, Inc. (OTCQB: GNAL)

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