Hemp Industry Sees Profitable Harvest as Farm Bill Approaches Finale

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: With the end in sight for the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill, which contains provisions likely to grant hemp full agricultural legalization, and revenues from existing hemp products rising, hemp farmers are seeing reasons for excitement this fall.

The Farm Bill is set to finally pass through Congress in the near future.
Predicted hemp revenues for the next few years are soaring.
Hemp is doing particularly well in states with supportive politicians, such as Kentucky.

Sugarmade, Inc. (OTC: SGMD) (SGMD Profile) has made the most of this opportunity through investment in Hempistry, a hemp cultivator with big plans for expansion. The popularity of cannabidiol (CBD) products means that hemp may soon surpass the value of other cannabis products, which is providing strong profits for companies such as Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY). This popularity will likely to lead to growth in the food and beverage industry, one reason why Canopy Growth Corp. (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) has received substantial investment from that sector. HEXO Corp. (OTC: HYYDF) (TSX: HEXO) plans to increase its 310,000 square feet of cannabis cultivation space to almost 1 million square feet by the end of the year. Meanwhile, Aphria (NYSE: APHA) (TSX: APHA) is developing new products to tap into Canada’s lucrative market.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Hemp Rides High on Wave of Change

Four years ago, it would have been virtually impossible to talk about a hemp industry in the United States. As a variety of the cannabis plant, hemp had been made illegal under legislation decades ago despite not containing significant quantities of the active drug compound that gets marijuana users high from other distinct forms of cannabis. State level reforms had done nothing to protect hemp on a federal level, and the plant was struggling to make its mark.

All that changed with the 2014 Farm Bill, which allowed for the cultivation of hemp at trial and research sites. Together with the emergence of laws in more cannabis-friendly states, this has allowed the industry to take off in a big way. Hemp is being put forward as a potential cash crop to be used in producing fibers, medicines and health foods. Farmers are starting to see big profits from hemp crops. And with fresh legislation on the verge of passing in Washington, the industry appears set for a surge in growth.

Fighting over the Farm Bill

For companies invested in hemp, such as Sugarmade, Inc. (OTC: SGMD), one piece of legislation has dominated the political landscape over the past year — the 2018 Farm Bill.

Farm bills are pieces of legislation passed by Congress every few years as the previous iterations expire. They set out government policies on issues of agriculture and food supply. As complicated pieces of law covering multiple topics, these bills are much haggled over by both houses, and the 2018 bill has been no exception. Divisions over food stamp rules and immigration policy has held up its passage for months.

This year’s farm bill has Sugarmade’s attention because of a section that will remove quality hemp production from drug enforcement restrictions nationwide. Backed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, this has been one of the less controversial parts of the bill despite hemp’s illicit history. The possibility of offering struggling farmers a valuable cash crop is one that both parties can get behind.

Unfortunately, this important change for hemp was left in limbo thanks to the other battles over the bill. But now discussions in committee are finally moving towards a finished bill that unifies the House and Senate versions, as the lame duck Republican house majority tries to pass a law it can stomach before control of a dominant voting bloc passes to the Democrats.

Bottom line: the legalization of hemp cultivation could be just days away.

Hemp Heads into the Mainstream

This political change has been facilitated by shifting public attitudes towards hemp. The plant is increasingly popular in food and body care products and has been singled out as one of the top trends for next year by Whole Food Market. That’s good news for Sugarmade, which recently launched its own industrial hemp initiative, as it means there’s not just a consumer market for hemp-derived products but also the political will to make production easier.

These shifts in attitudes are reflected in the varying fortunes of states as well, with some receiving far stronger support for their hemp industry than others. For example, Kentucky’s hemp industry is bolstered by advocacy from the state’s politicians. Congressman James Comer has been outspoken in supporting the state’s industry and in pushing to get the Farm Bill approved.

Sugarmade is among the companies benefiting from Kentucky’s positive attitude towards hemp. The business has invested $1 million in Kentucky hemp company Hempistry to support its high-grade hemp operation for the U.S. market. Harvest of this year’s crop has recently started, following a test harvest of samples by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA), and the company is inviting interested parties to place bids on the crop. With demand for hemp rising, Hempistry’s legally grown, CBD-rich crop is likely to be in high demand.

Rising Hemp Revenues

One of the reasons behind Sugarmade’s investment in Hempistry is the dramatic rise in revenues from hemp crops. A few years ago, no one could have predicted the popularity hemp would achieve by 2018. The crop was mostly a side note, a reminder of the days when its fibers were used to make ropes and sales. When interest in CBD started to expand, producers realized that it could be extracted from industrial hemp. By turning this interest into a separate industry, businesses could sell CBD without becoming entangled in a mass of legal and social uncertainties.

Companies that have made strong investments in hemp cultivation, such as Sugarmade, will gain considerably from hemp’s ascendancy, to the benefit of managers and common share investors. Jimmy Chan, CEO of Sugarmade, commented, “Demand for industrial hemp and products derived from hemp is soaring with no let up in sight. We expect our direct investment into Hempistry to be accretive to common shareholders, and our supply agreement to be lucrative. All of us at Sugarmade see a tremendous opportunity to become a supplier to this fast-growing sector.”

Expanding the Hemp Harvest

With the hemp market growing so fast and the Farm Bill promising to make hemp farming easier, many companies are looking to expand their operations. Having just harvested 100 acres of CBD-rich hemp, Hempistry is focusing on achieving a 10-fold increase in its acreage next year, which would make it one of the largest hemp cultivators in North America.

This expansion is happening alongside that of companies in the related cannabis sector. In Canada, recreational legalization has been big news for companies such as Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY), one of the largest cultivation companies in the country. A leader in research, production and distribution, Tilray has seen staggering financial growth over the past year, with an 85 percent rise in revenue during the third quarter and a 78.9 percent rise for the year to date. Legal and social changes have created the space for a substantial new industry to flourish across North America and beyond, bringing in big bucks for the companies that pioneered the sector.

Growth into the beverage and whole food markets is a likely next step for many hemp and cannabis companies, and big players on the inside of those industries have started to take note. Constellation Brands, a leading American beverage manufacturer, has invested billions of dollars in Canopy Growth Corp. (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED), one of the largest cannabis growers in Canada. Canopy Growth is relatively small fry compared to the power of Constellation Brands, but the funds such a corporate giant can spare make a big difference in an emerging industry. The result is likely to be the development and marketing of CBD-infused foods and drinks, pushing the industry into places it hasn’t previously reached.

HEXO Corp. (OTC: HYYDF) (TSX: HEXO) produces cannabis through its Hydropothecary brand and recently announced plans to develop nonalcoholic, cannabis-infused beverages with Molson Coors Canada. This joint venture with one of the world’s biggest beer makers is a significant move to position HEXO in the burgeoning cannabis-infused drinks market. The company also announced that it has closed on the acquisition of its first major facility outside of Quebec.

Aphria (NYSE: APHA) (TSX: APHA) has also seen rising revenues and profits since 2016, thanks to the growth of this innovation-led market. It recently announced a collaboration with Perennial, Inc., to develop products for the Canadian market, a critical region for any company looking to expand beyond the United States.

With hemp revenues on the rise and politicians about to ease the way for hemp farmers, this is a sector that’s likely to keep growing in strength for years to come.

For more information on Sugarmade, visit Sugarmade, Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD)

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Booming Cannabis Consumables Space Continues to see Product Innovations

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: The North American Marijuana Index of leading cannabis stocks continues to hold onto the 250 range that it meteorically climbed into at the start of the year.

Growing acceptance of cannabis is setting the stage for a consumable cannabis boom.
Major companies have begun to throw their hats into the ring.
North America is steadily headed towards broad legalization.

Canada is legalizing cannabis across the board, Mexico is fast-tracking legalization, and industrial hemp appears to be headed for legalization in the United States thanks to landslide approval in the Senate (86 to 11) of its version of the new hemp-friendly Farm Bill. Prospects of a shift in the reluctant attitude of the House as Democrats prepare to take majority there have also had a positive impact. The global cannabis market is on track to hit $146.4 billion by the end of 2025, and the industry hasn’t even seen the first real breakout commercial product in the fastest-growing CBD (cannabidiol) and beverages/edibles markets. Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) (LXRP Profile) is a contender for that recognition with bio-absorption-enhancing technology and a growing line of hemp oil CBD products. GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) continues to be the leading name in cannabinoid prescription medicines with its FDA-approved, oral CBD anti-seizure solution, Epidiolex. WeedMD Inc. (OTCQX: WDDMF) (TSX.V: WMD) ranks as one of the top licensed Canadian producers, with a multichanneled distribution strategy and 70,000 square feet of production space already online. HEXO Corp. (OTC: HYYDF) (TSX: HEXO) is another Canadian producer with a track record for low-cost production that currently has around 310,000 square feet of space with plans to tack on a whopping 1 million square feet by the end of the year. Los Angeles-based MedMen Enterprises, Inc. (OTCQX: MMNFF) (CSE: MMEN) is a rapidly expanding U.S. cannabis company with 19 licensed facilities in four key states representing both cultivation and dispensaries.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Cannabis-Infused Consumables Primed to Explode

Cannabis-infused beverages saw 88 percent growth in sales from 2016 to 2017, according to analyst Flowhub, and that benchmark is likely to be met or surpassed this year. CBD and the widely known psychoactive cannabinoid THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are finding their way into alcoholic beverages as decades-old cannabis prohibition slowly retreats ahead of growing consumer confidence about the safety of medical cannabis and recreational marijuana use.

With huge new markets opening up across North America, the potential for cultivators appears to be almost unlimited. Even in places where recreational-use legalization may be a long shot, typically some form of medical access already exists. With baseline metrics such as these, it is little wonder that the North American cannabis market alone was recently projected to hit $41 billion this year, before climbing to $95 billion in 2026.

Bioavailability Tech Could Be Game-Changer

Because of the way the body metabolizes ingested cannabinoids, edibles traditionally are understood to act slowly, taking one to two hours to kick in. Comparatively poorer absorption by the gastrointestinal tract prompts many consumers to pursue more dangerous methods of consumption, such as smoking, in order to achieve the desired effectiveness more rapidly. Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) has developed a proprietary lipophilic enhancement technology to bypass this problem, achieving bio-absorption rate increases 10 times greater than other products while slashing the effect onset time from hours to under 20 minutes.

Lexaria’s proprietary technology is patent protected for CBD and other nonpsychoactive cannabinoids and has patents pending for THC, other psychoactive cannabinoids, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), nicotine and other molecules. Essentially a B2B, Lexaria is in an enviable position amid the rise of cannabis edibles ranging from recreational drinks to CBD-based nutraceuticals, with a key piece of technology that the company can out-license to third-party partners. Moreover, the company’s proprietary technology may mask undesirable tastes, eliminating the need for sugar-filled edibles, and may actually allow cannabinoids to bypass being broken down by the liver if desired.

Established Presence, Superior Tech—A One-Two Knockout Punch

Lexaria also already has a considerable, established presence in the edibles space, with brands such as the company’s ViPova line of CBD-infused coffee, tea and hot chocolate. The company has seen success since 2014 with beverages such as its original Yunnan Black Tea, which contains 50 mg of Multi Scandinavian full-spectrum hemp oil per serving. These beverages lack the typical oily residue found in most CBD-infused drinks and have virtually no cannabis odor or flavor.

At the low cost of only 2 cents per milligram ($1.25 per serving), the company’s delicious ViPova teas, which come in a variety of flavors including Earl Grey and Herbal Masala Chai, are a testament to Lexaria’s ability to deliver high-value beverages to the cannabis market. The increased bioavailability of the CBD in these beverages, thanks to the company’s proprietary technology, combined with the low per-unit price, represents an incredible value that consumers are noticing. Also, Lexaria’s product mix currently includes the company’s branded Lexaria Energy Foods as well as TurboCBD supplements.

Bottles and Cans Giving Way to Packets of Powder

Capitalizing on its bioavailability-enhancing technology and established presence as a CBD-infused product developer, Lexaria has now moved to tackle the U.S. soft drinks market, which is expected to be worth $388 billion-plus by 2025, introducing a discreet, single-serving foil packet cannabinoid drink powder named ChrgD+. Lexaria is confident that a small two-gram foil packet that can be discreetly carried in a shirt pocket or purse for incorporation into a beverage will be a big hit. After all, consumers can’t show up at their kid’s soccer game with a can of soda whose branding announces “cannabis” to everyone in view.

The multi-spectrum cannabinoid portable drink powder ChrgD+ can turn any drink into a CBD-infused beverage, including wine or cocktails. While currently only available in a CBD-from-hemp version, Lexaria is in talks with cannabis companies to realize its objective of deploying a THC version of the powder.

Powdered single-serving packets of consumers’ favorite drinks have exploded in popularity during recent years as an increasing number of beverage makers are opting to give consumers the convenience of mixing their own drinks from flavor packets containing the rich, distinct flavor profiles of brands they have come to know and love. The same thing is now happening in CBD drinks, and Lexaria may possess some distinct advantages over the competition.

All Kinds of Consumables

CBD and THC appear to be rapidly making their way into all kinds of consumables. The industry’s reputation continues to be improved in the eyes of consumers due to advancing breakthroughs in cannabinoid medicines used to treat everything from epileptic seizures to inflammatory bowel disease.

GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) broke the blockade in cannabinoid medicines with the highly purified, plant-derived CBD indication Epidiolex, which is available in the United States as of November 2018 for the treatment of seizures associated with severe forms of epilepsy. This one company has arguably done more than any other to improve public perception of the cannabis sector, specifically medical cannabis. The company is not resting on its laurels either, following up the availability of Epidiolex via physician prescription with a patient support program designed to help Epidiolex users obtain access to therapy.

WeedMD Inc. (OTCQX: WDDMF) (TSX.V: WMD) moved recently to exploit its position as a leading federally licensed Canadian producer and distributor by executing a pivotal, exclusive development agreement with Montreal-based pharmaceuticals, natural health products and cosmetics developer Smart Medicines GMP. The partnership maps out a comprehensive five-year development plan, including ramping up the operational capabilities of Smart Medicines’ 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Montreal laboratory. WeedMD also recently signed a multiyear retail sales distribution agreement with Lifford Cannabis Solutions, which specializes in helping cannabis companies advance their products through control boards to retail.

HEXO Corp. (OTC: HYYDF) (TSX: HEXO), which produces cannabis through its Hydropothecary brand, issued a major announcement in August that it will develop nonalcoholic, cannabis-infused beverages with Molson Coors Canada. This joint venture with one of the world’s biggest beer makers is a serious play by HEXO to establish itself in the burgeoning cannabis-infused drinks market. This announcement was followed up by word that HEXO has closed on the acquisition of its first major facility outside of Quebec, taking a big step toward realizing the company’s hub-and-spoke business expansion strategy.

MedMen Enterprises, Inc. (OTCQX: MMNFF) (CSE: MMEN) recently signed a definitive $33 million agreement to acquire control of Level Up (Kannaboost Technology and CSI Solutions), which has a 25,000-square-foot production facility as well as retail locations in Scottsdale and Tempe, Ariz. Furthermore, MedMen will obtain a 40 percent stake in the top-selling K.I.N.D. Concentrates brand via the acquisition. MedMen also recently acquired the retail operations and license for a key location in Santa Ana, California, from Captor Capital Corp. in an all-stock transaction, adding to the company’s growing strategic footprint in one of the most affluent areas of Southern California.

With several of the world’s largest beverage makers on the fence about entrance into the CBD-infused beverages market, the stage is set for smaller players, as well as majors from parallel sectors without a significant ground game in nonalcoholic drinks. But beverages are just one aspect of a rapidly evolving industry that spans the gamut from edibles and concentrates to grow-ops and biopharma development.

For more information on Lexaria Bioscience Corp., visit Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP)