Tag: TLRY

Hydroponics Increasingly Key as Booming Cannabis Sector Goes to Next Level

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: With Canada’s decision to decriminalize cannabis nationwide and the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill’s provision to potentially make industrial hemp and hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) legal nationwide, the cannabis CBD product sector is gaining a strong foundation.

  • Analysts expect runaway growth in the cannabis and CBD markets.
  • Industry is scaling up amid regulatory reform.
  • Underlying growth metrics are bullish for hydroponics suppliers and cultivators alike.
  • Branding and marketing are increasingly important and tied to quality control.

Numerous interests stand to benefit as the cannabis sector begins to hit its stride, ranging from cannabinoid biopharma developers to cultivators with rapidly expanding acreage footprints. Pick-and-shovel plays such as hydroponics supplier Sugarmade, Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) (SGMD Profile) could be some of the biggest winners, quietly supplying tons of hardware to a variety of end users without having to jump through the all the legal hoops. Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY), one of the first companies licensed to produce medical cannabis as dried flower in Canada, has quickly become known for its full-spectrum cold-extracted cannabinoids with clearly indicated tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and CBD potencies. Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) has parlayed its leadership in cannabis and hemp with dried, oil and softgel capsule products into a landmark $4 billion investment from beer, wine and spirits major Constellation Brands, Inc. Cronos Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON), which operates two wholly owned Canada-licensed producers, is making its presence felt across five continents. And Aphria Inc. (NYSE: APHA) (TSX: APHA) is also making serious waves as a globally minded cannabis producer, having just recently been approved for uplisting to the New York Stock Exchange.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Historic Market Forces Create a Perfect Storm

After more than eight decades of prohibition, cannabis has gone from a black market to a tax revenue-generating multibillion-dollar industry in a handful of years. It is an industry nipping at the market share heels of sectors like alcoholic beverages, food and drink, supplements and now even biopharmaceuticals. The market for just one of over 100 different cannabinoids, the non-psychoactive CBD, was recently projected to break $22 billion by 2022. CBD alone could have “profound impacts” across the consumer packaged goods (CPG) and pharma industries according to Brightfield Group, potentially outpacing the broader cannabis market combined. It would be a major boon to the U.S. market if industrial hemp and CBD become legal under the latest Farm Bill.

Recent analysis in a report from Amadee & Company cites baseline market metrics such as over 37 million people in the United States using cannabis (both legally and illicitly) as contributing to a North American market worth over $41 billion this year, which is on track to hit $95 billion by 2026. The more conservative figures from Arcview Market Research and its research partner BDS Analytics are the $9.2 billion in sales seen in 2017, and a projection of $47.3 billion within 10 years. Either way, investors are looking at some low-hanging CAGR fruit, and the sector as a whole has scaled up enough that it is now seemingly much easier to pick winners that can thrive, regardless of potential governmental policy drift.

Many End Markets – One Stop Shop for Hydro Hardware

Sugarmade, Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD), headquartered in northeastern Los Angeles County on the edge of the Angeles National Forest, has already established a formidable presence in the hydroponics supply market with brands such as ZenHydro.com, CarryOutSupplies.com and BudLife. The company also recently launched a massive new $1 million initiative to cement a foundational position in the emerging U.S. industrial hemp and CBD market through an investment in privately held Hempistry, Inc., a Kentucky-based farmer (23,000 acres) of an ultra-rich CBD strain of hemp.

Hydroponics has rapidly emerged as the dominant strain in the cannabis cultivation industry when it comes to medical cannabis, or products that want to emphasize stringent environmental cultivation controls and overall consistency. The KD Market Insights report projects a six-year CAGR of 20.7 percent, as a $5.22 billion 2017 hydroponics market grows to $13.84 billion in 2023. According to another report, cannabis cultivation will be a major driver of sector growth, with just the U.S. hydroponics market set to clock in at 20.3 percent CAGR from 2018 to 2025, hitting around $3.7 billion.

These are significant advantages for SGMD as the company pursues its binding definitive agreement to acquire Nevada-based Sky Unlimited, LLC, which has developed a solid reputation throughout the full spectrum of cultivation markets. Its robust AthenaUnited.com website lists everything from advanced lighting systems such as Hortilux lamps and ballasts to complete hydroponics kits such as the AeroFlo 60 aeroponic system from General Hydroponics, which super-oxygenates the nutrient solution. The AeroFlo line is a great example of a brand that growers, academics and researchers alike have praised for delivering consistently hearty growth rates and yields. Consumers from various cultivation industries have come to trust that they can find the best environmental control systems and cutting-edge nutrients, as well as plant care and more general gardening supplies on the site.

Ready to Launch

Sugarmade will retain all employees and completely assume all operations and liabilities via the acquisition. The company anticipates that the Sky Unlimited deal will be highly accretive for shareholders and has further increased the previous 500 percent annual revenue growth projection made back in July, of $30 million during 2019, to a whopping $70 million. This handsome increase owes a lot to how easily integrated the parallel business lines of Sky Unlimited and Athena are to SGMD’s existing model, as well as the extent to which the deal will allow Sugarmade to not only access the larger commercial cultivation market more directly but also enhance its emphasis on brands in a market where brand loyalty still means a great deal.

Scheduled for January 2019, the deal is subject to an extensive audit of the Sky Unlimited operations, but confidence is high that this latest acquisitive foray by Sugarmade will spell share price appreciation gold for the company’s shareholders. In fact, things are apparently looking so good overall for the company that management has begun positioning for a potential NASDAQ uplisting, tapping the requisite legal team to expedite the process.

Symbiosis amid Competition

The broader market is set up nicely for SGMD to take advantage of, but the reality is more symbiotic than predatory.

Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) was the first company to legally export medical cannabis from North America to Europe, Australia and New Zealand. One of the top names in both cultivation and research, Tilray is on deck to report Q3 financials this Nov. 13 after a strong quarter in which the company successfully closed a $450 million private placement funding run with qualified institutional buyers. The company is one of the pioneers in clear labeling of THC and CBD concentrations and has a public-facing dedication to compliant and effective products that lead the industry by example.

Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) prides itself on the highest quality cannabis, whether it is ultimately distributed as dried flower, oils and concentrates, or precisely formulated softgels. The company has a strong hand in industrial hemp for producing CBD, and now that alcoholic drinks giant Constellation Brands (which has over 100 brands to its name) recently closed its $4 billion investment in the company, Canopy is poised to strike hard and fast across the more than 30 countries worldwide that are in the process of advancing some form of permissible cannabis regulation for adult use or medicinal purposes.

Cronos Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) is increasingly a global player, with operations in Canada, Colombia, Germany, Poland, Israel and Australia. The company launched its second recreational cannabis brand this year and has two wholly owned Canada-licensed producers to its name, as well as a 21.5 percent stake in British Columbia-based Whistler Medical Marijuana Company, which is licensed to produce and sell medical marijuana and cannabis oil.

When Aphria Inc. (NYSE: APHA) (TSX: APHA) uplisted from the OTCQB to the NYSE, it was not just big news for the company but for the cannabis industry and smallcap markets as a whole. Aphria has seen an impressive rise from a relatively small player to a true global leader in cannabis. The company’s rigorous study of the end-user market and ingenious development of a variety of brands to suit every buyer segment has delivered bottom-line results across the company’s entire line of capsules, oral solutions, oil syringes and single-unit vaporizer cartridges.

Once-in-a-lifetime Early-adopter Opportunity

As attitudes and regulations open up the global market for the end products being developed in the cannabis market, from commercial drinks containing CBD to lab-grown cannabinoid biopharma indications, some of these smaller companies are starting to look to many analysts like potential all-stars. Differentiating factors such as brand presence, product execution and market access/penetration are important analytical vectors. However, key capabilities such as being a picks-and-shovels supplier are of particular note, whether one is talking about hydroponics hardware for production or producing the raw cannabis that other companies rely on.

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

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

Receive Text Alerts from CannabisNewsWire: Text “Cannabis” to 21000

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com and or https://CannabisNewsWire.News

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
Denver, Colorado
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Investors Flock to Cannabis Market as Business Booms

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: As the cannabis industry sees its profits and legitimacy rise, the market potential is drawing increased attention from big investors.

  • The U.S. and global cannabis sector is seeing great growth, lifted by the success of medical and recreational cannabis and legalization in Canada.
  • This is drawing in previously reluctant investors as companies become listed on stock exchanges.
  • Greater integration within the sector is both a symptom of and a support for this cannabis boom.

Cannabis Strategic Ventures (OTC: NUGS) (NUGS Profile) shows this integrated approach, bringing together cultivation, product sales and personnel services for the cannabis industry. Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is working across borders on international research to create better cannabis-based medicines. Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) has benefited hugely from the surge in investor attention, receiving billions in investment from the beverage sector. CBD products are allowing parts of the cannabis sector to achieve widespread acceptance, thanks to the work of companies like Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: CWBHF) (CSE: CWEB). All of this means a rise in sales for suppliers of hydroponic equipment such as GrowGeneration Corp. (OTCQX: GRWG).

Cannabis’s Money Problems

The legal cannabis industry is one of the newest in the world and one weighed down with a great deal of baggage. Decades in the legal wilderness have tainted the public image of the drug, leaving many potential customers and investors with a negative knee-jerk reaction to the sector and its products. Even now, as legal cannabis becomes more common on a state-by-state basis, the U.S. industry is held back by lingering federal laws enacted as a result of the war on drugs.

This has created challenges for cannabis companies in search of finance. Both the legal restrictions in the United States and historical prejudice against the industry have made it hard to find mainstream investors. But with the market expanding and profits rising significantly year on year, that looks set to change.

The Signs of Change

In the United States, the cannabis industry is taking off in a big way. California is the largest of the nine state-sized markets for recreational cannabis, so it makes sense that the state has become home to many of the companies working in the sector, such as Cannabis Strategic Ventures (OTC: NUGS). But the seeds for the rise of these companies lie elsewhere.

The first signs of the huge potential for a legal cannabis market came in 1996, when California passed Proposition 215, the first law making medical cannabis legal in a U.S. state. The medical market quickly took off, with legal companies moving into a business previously owned entirely by criminals, while other states considered such legislation of their own. Just over 20 years later, 31 states have legal medical cannabis markets, and a whole host of companies have sprung up to cater to them. Knowledge of cannabis’s benefits has also grown swiftly, thanks to these companies’ research efforts.

But the biggest bellwether for growth in the recreational market has come from north of the border. This October, Canada became the first G8 country to legalize recreational cannabis on a national level. The result is a tightly regulated and quickly growing industry that is setting an example for the rest of the world.

That example holds out great promise for the likes of companies such as Cannabis Strategic Ventures. Cannabis Strategic Ventures has taken a portfolio approach to the cannabis sector, developing a range of brands covering areas such as cannabis oil, concentrate extraction services, staffing for the cannabis sector, and most recently cannabis cultivation itself.

The industry is growing quickly, with analysts predicting that it will reach $65 billion by 2023. That’s creating plenty of space for companies such as Cannabis Strategic Ventures to grow. It’s also drawing the attention of investors.

The Rise of Cannabis Investment

The cannabis industry didn’t initially attract a lot of funding from investors. The potential of cannabis as a legal market was unclear, and it came with risks thanks to the drug’s illegality at a federal level. Investors couldn’t yet see much potential for profit, and they were wary of throwing their financial lot in with such a dubious group.

Now, however, the market has had time to mature. The sector isn’t just a handful of cultivators and retailers trying to work on an untested business model. There are specialist cannabis tech firms, research outfits and umbrella companies such as Cannabis Strategic Ventures. It’s looking more and more like a conventional market sector — though a market sector subject to staggering growth.

The result is a growing surge of investment. Since January this year, U.S. cannabis companies have raised more than $8.2 billion of investment, while their Canadian cousins raised $2.2 billion in October alone.

Getting listed on a stock exchange is invaluable to a getting a company’s stocks in front of powerful investors and thus raising additional funds. Larger cannabis companies are looking at moving from the Toronto exchange to the New York Stock Exchange, the largest stock market in the world, while others such as Cannabis Strategic Ventures are preparing for their first listings.

Investors are more prepared now to take a chance on the cannabis market. Stock exchange presence will allow cannabis companies to tap into that potential and so to take a stronger place in a fast-growing market.

A Fractured Industry

The American cannabis industry is a fractured one. Without the well-established business relationships and support structures of longer-standing sectors, many of the pieces are small and disjointed. Progress has been driven primarily by small startups.

The same moment of maturity that has brought the recent wave of investment has also brought the seeds of change for the industry’s structure. Some companies are using mergers and takeovers to build bigger businesses focused on particular parts of the sector, benefiting from the efficiencies these acquisitions bring. Others are diversifying to create companies with greater reach across the sector and even potential to take it to new places. Cannabis Strategic Ventures, for example, is expanding its product lines to include beauty products even as it adds cultivation to its portfolio for greater vertical integration.

Within the industry, one of the big fractures in the United States is that between the different states. With cannabis still illegal under federal laws, businesses have to operate within the borders of individual states with their own local regulations. Though some companies have operations in several states, it’s not yet possible to create a properly integrated national operation, at least in part because of states where the drug remains entirely illegal. But with the White House hinting at potential reform, this is something that could change over the next few years. While politicians respond slowly to public and investor demand for a more efficient and integrated cannabis sector, it’s the companies that are leading the way.

An Industry Coming Together

Despite the limitations they face, cannabis companies are finding ways to come together and cooperate, both within the United States and across international borders.

Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY), a leading medical cannabis company, is supporting research work beyond the borders of the United States. As a supplier of materials for clinical trials in Canada and Australia, Tilray working with other research-oriented companies to increase understanding of the effects of cannabis and develop better treatments based upon it. These could be invaluable in treating such problems as chemotherapy-induced nausea and childhood epilepsy. And while the work has an invaluable humanitarian element, it’s also appealing to investors who recognize the profits present in the pharmaceutical industry.

Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) is one of the great investment success stories. One of Canada’s largest cannabis companies, it has attracted several billion dollars of investment from Constellation Brands, an American drinks manufacturer. This represents an interesting twist on integration within the cannabis industry, with an alcohol company looking to get involved in other recreational chemicals. Tobacco companies have been taking a similar interest in cannabis, and the industry may one day bleed over into one or both of these related sectors.

Already connected into the cannabis industry is industrial hemp, a form of cannabis that doesn’t get users high. Recent years have seen a surge in sales of cannabidiol (CBD) products, which use a compound extracted from industrial hemp. Companies such as Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: CWBHF) (CSE: CWEB) have had huge success is developing and marketing CBD-based health and wellness products. These products are gaining mainstream acceptance, with Charlotte’s Web getting its products into three thousand outlets.

The success of cannabis growers and retailers has been a boon for companies providing the products and services they need. GrowGeneration Corp. (OTCQX: GRWG), which supplies hydroponic systems and nutrients used in growing cannabis, has seen a massive rise in sales off the back of legalization initiatives. The company’s sales went up by 80 percent in 2017, and it has acquired several smaller companies to help it make the most of this surging demand.

Greater investment helps companies to achieve these successes, which in turn draw in greater investment. As more cannabis companies hit the big stock exchanges, the industry looks set to see its growth continue.

For more information on Cannabis Strategic Ventures, visit Cannabis Strategic Ventures, Inc. (NUGS)

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

Receive Text Alerts from CannabisNewsWire: Text “Cannabis” to 21000

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com and or https://CannabisNewsWire.News

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
Denver, Colorado
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Payment Solutions Among Innovations in the Fast-Growing Cannabis Industry

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: The legal cannabis industry, which anticipates massive growth over the next few years, is seeing constant innovation as companies move to provide essential services needed for that growth.

  • The global cannabis industry, which was worth $7.7 billion in 2016, is expected to reach $65 billion by 2023.
  • The industry’s upward trajectory is happening despite legal restrictions that have forced cannabis businesses to seek alternative payment solutions.
  • These solutions are among many innovations in the sector, which has a strong strand of research and design.

Net Element (NASDAQ: NETE) (NETE Profile) recently launched a compliant, secure payment processing solution focused on serving the legal cannabis industry. Medical cannabis company Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is supplying materials for a range of research projects around the world that are studying cannabis’ potential in medicine. Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) has received massive investment from a beverage company and is likely to be one of the first companies selling cannabis-infused drinks. And the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved cannabis-based drug has just gone on sale from GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH). Meanwhile, new uses for the plant are being found, as exemplified by Cronos Group, Inc.’s (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) research on the use of cannabis in skin cream.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Cannabis Payment Solutions

The cannabis industry is currently growing at an astonishing rate. Since 1996, its use for medical purposes has become legal in 31 U.S. states and Canada as well as a number of other countries around the world, most recently the United Kingdom. This remarkable pace of change has been accompanied by the emergence of related industries producing industrial hemp, cannabidiol (CBD) oil and support services for cannabis growers.

Despite this, legal cannabis sellers in the United States face serious problems in accessing basic business services. Because banks and payment providers are often wary of working with cannabis companies — even legal ones — these companies are forced to either accept the risks and inefficiencies of a cash-based business or seek alternative payment options. Fortunately, payment solutions are becoming increasingly viable.

The Challenge — And Opportunity

The challenge — and opportunity — with cannabis payment processing is significant enough to have drawn in businesses from outside the sector, such as global technology company Net Element (NASDAQ: NETE).

With the growth of the medical cannabis market has come more people are looking for one of the sectors most in-demand products — CBD oil, which is the concentrated liquid extract of the cannabis plant. Previously most CBD products were sold in head shops, but increasingly these products are found on the shelves of natural food stores, beauty aisles, cafes and doctors’ offices. This spread to other venues has created an even greater need for smooth transactions between merchants and consumers.

While the majority of states now allow the legal sale of some form of cannabis or its derivatives within their boundaries, cannabis providers may still find it challenging to find payment options that allow mobile payments, offer value-added transactions, and are easy for both the business and the end user. Fortunately, companies such as Net Element are positioning themselves to provide exactly what this underserved industry is looking for.

These alternative solutions, including Net Element’s Aptito and Unified Payments systems, solve the problem by offering a compliant, seamlessly integrated payment solution that is simple to use. The systems rely on the latest digital technology, which allows retailers to accept payments outside of conventional routes while remaining user friendly for customers.

More Sales, More Payments

It’s a good time for companies to expand their reach in the cannabis market, as Net Element is doing. The industry is experiencing a period of huge growth. According to recent research, the legal cannabis market was worth $7.7 billion in 2016 and is forecast to reach $65 billion by 2023, a staggering 37 percent rate of compound growth per year.

Various factors are playing into this. Cannabis is already a huge industry, but one historically run by criminal gangs. One of the reasons for wide legalization is to take that trade out of criminals’ hands. In the United States, 70 to 75 percent of the cannabis trade is still illegal, but only 30 percent of it is illicit in states with legal options on the books. As legal cannabis from regulated suppliers becomes more widely available, the expectation is customers will move away from illegal businesses. The customer base is already there, and it’s huge.

Ongoing changes in the legal landscape are also a factor. The White House has hinted that it is considering liberalizing federal cannabis laws. Shifts in medical-use cannabis are taking place in Germany and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the current Farm Bill has enough support that it is expected to legalize the widespread cultivation of industrial hemp for nonrecreational cannabis uses.

This last change ties into an unexpected and significant trend in the cannabis industry. Hemp, a nonpsychoactive form of cannabis, was used in manufacturing rope and cloth before being made illegal during the political campaign against marijuana. Now, it’s returning to legality as a source of a new material — CBD oil. This active ingredient of cannabis is used in a growing number of health and well-being products. The hemp and CBD parts of the industry alone are set to reach $22 billion by 2022. While CBD sales are still largest in the stores supported by companies such as Net Element, these products are moving towards the mainstream via health stores, beauty aisles and cafés.

Rising to the Problem

A growing sector with a need for innovative solutions is the perfect place for a company such as Net Element to act on its vision.

“We are excited to launch a legal cannabis payment acceptance solution to meet the needs of sales partners and merchants for this emerging market,” commented Vlad Sadovskiy, president of integrated payments for Net Element. “Addressing the needs of our merchants is our number one priority and we work closely with various vendors to bring our merchants state-of-the-art payment acceptance solutions.”

The cannabis sector is more than just cultivators and retailers. It also includes the companies that support those businesses, companies that are set to thrive if the industry maintains its spectacular growth. The industry’s circumstances have ensured that it has become a forward-looking one.

A Future-facing Industry

Cannabis companies constantly have an eye on the state of the legal landscape and the new opportunities it may create for the market. Because those companies are working in an industry that has been illegal, industry-building techniques and products are only beginning to be properly discussed now, with innovations in research and design being announced as a result. Constraints such as those established by the U.S. government are forcing them to find technological solutions to problems other companies don’t face.

Medical cannabis company Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) prides itself on the part it plays in pushing the industry forward. With a strong emphasis on industry and innovation, Tilray is committed to research that will expand the possibilities of cannabis, carried out in partnership with hospitals and universities. It is currently supplying products for a range of clinical trials in Australia and Canada that promote the safety and effectiveness of cannabis use in tackling ailments such as childhood epilepsy and chemotherapy-induced nausea.

Research and design work at Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) has been super-charged by a recent investment of billions of dollars from American drinks company Constellation Brands. One of the reasons for Constellation’s move into cannabis is the potential for drinks infused with cannabis and CBD. The partnership with Canopy Growth is likely to lead to novel products that will become part of Canada’s large licensed cannabis market next year.

GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH), a company with a strong history of research in the cannabis sector, has created the first plant-derived cannabinoid medicine to be approved by the FDA, which has just become available by prescription in the United States. This introduction of a federally approved cannabis-derived medicine is an important moment for the industry and may lead to the softening of political and regulatory attitudes that have previously held business back.

Cronos Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) is investigating the use of cannabis in a relatively new area – skin care. The company has announced that it will be working with the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology to research the use of cannabinoids in skin care, research with potential to carry cannabis into more parts of the high street and the consciousness of more consumers.

From payment solutions to new products, the cannabis sector’s growth is fueling a rich wave of innovation.

For more information on Net Element, visit Net Element (NASDAQ: NETE)

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

Receive Text Alerts from CannabisNewsWire: Text “Cannabis” to 21000

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com and or https://CannabisNewsWire.News

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
Denver, Colorado
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Bumper Hemp Crops Promise Profit for Farmers and Cannabis Companies

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: This year will see the largest U.S. hemp crop since changes to federal law created an avenue for production to start again, turning over decades of fallowed industry.

  • Thousands of acres of hemp will be harvested across 19 states.
  • Kentucky is seeing particularly good crops, due to near-perfect growing conditions over the summer.
  • The main product taken from these crops will be cannabidiol (CBD) oil, used in a growing range of health and wellness products.
  • Crop production is set to continue increasing in light of high demand and legal changes.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Sugarmade, Inc. (OTC: SGMD) (SGMD Profile) is profiting from this development by expanding from hydroponics into investment in hemp production, broadening its cannabis-related portfolio. Other companies are expanding internationally. Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is now working with affiliates and subsidiaries in Europe, South America and Australasia. Cannabis grower Canopy Growth Corp. (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) has drawn billions of dollars in investment from the beverages industry as big companies look to get into the market. And Aurora Cannabis, Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB) has established an extensive network of supply agreements across Canada, which will help to raise sales and awareness of cannabis and related products. New uses are also set to increase demand, thanks to research by companies such as Cronos Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON).

Farmers Count the Green from Growing Hemp Harvest

As summer turns to fall, a small number of U.S. farmers are bringing in a new harvest — hemp. For some states, this is the first time that the crop has appeared in more than 50 years because hemp had been outlawed under sweeping anti-cannabis legislation. The last few years have seen significant changes, primarily because the nation’s 2014 Farm Bill funding provisions authorized limited hemp cultivation, and several states began supporting the crop. Now hemp is making a comeback.

This promises to be a good year for hemp. Early indications are that farmers will see a robust crop with a high market value. The growth of the market for CBD oil means that there are plenty of outlets not just for hemp fibers but also for the plant’s other derivatives. And these first successful harvests, accompanied by pending legal change on the federal level, are set to establish hemp as an important crop over the next decade.

The 2018 Hemp Harvest

The past year has seen big growth for hemp. In 2017, the acreage of hemp production expanded by 163 percent through agricultural sites in 19 states. Now the largest hemp harvest of the new era is expected. It’s good news for companies invested in hemp, such as Sugarmade, Inc. (OTC: SGMD).

Like several of the companies involved in the hemp industry, Sugarmade was drawn to the sector by an interest in the wider cannabis market. The company’s main business is the supply of hydroponic equipment used for indoor agriculture. The growth of the legal cannabis market has fueled profits for Sugarmade as growers have valued its supplies. Now the company is diversifying its presence in the thriving sector.

When it comes to driving business, hemp is a beast that is very different from recreational marijuana. While both are forms of cannabis, industrial hemp has very low quantities of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the ingredient in cannabis that gets users high. In Kentucky, for example, hemp plants must have no more than 0.3 percent THC. Hemp is also grown differently, using large-scale outdoor cultivation rather than the intensive indoor methods used for other forms of cannabis.

Moving into this part of the market involved a different approach by Sugarmade. Instead of simply relying on its presence as a supplier of tools and equipment for profits, the company has committed a million dollars to investment in Hempistry, Inc. Hempistry’s hemp cultivation is based in Kentucky, the state with the third largest acreage of hemp growth, just behind Oregon but far behind Colorado, which is home to nearly as much hemp as the next three states combined.

While the top states have thousands of acres of hemp under cultivation, others are just starting to get involved, thanks to smaller scale projects. Washington State saw its first 175 acres of hemp planted in 2017, while Minnesota went from 51 acres in 2016 to 1,205 acres in 2017.

Kentucky has seen a particularly good year for hemp. Almost perfect growing conditions over the summer and early fall are setting it up for a bumper harvest. Sugarmade executives, including CEO Jimmy Chan, have visited the Hempistry project to inspect it and found that it lived up to the hype. It is seen as ultra-premium-grade hemp, perfect for extracting one of the biggest products to come from hemp — CBD oil.

CBD — Key to the Hemp Market

Hemp isn’t a new crop, even if its appearance in current markets seems like a novelty. As long ago as the Mayflower pilgrimage, hemp fibers were used in North America to produce rope and canvas for sailing ships. Even in the early 20th century, just before it became illegal, it was mostly grown for these fibers.

Now, that has changed.

Hemp fiber still has value in producing everything from cloth to construction materials. But the real wealth is in CBD oil. This is why Hempistry has built a crop labeled as ultra-premium and why Sugarmade determined to invest one million in the business.

While CBD doesn’t have the psychoactive effects of THC, it’s still an active ingredient in cannabis that produces a chemical response in users. Research into its effects is in its infancy, thanks to so many years without businesses backing. But studies over the past decade have led to its use in a wide range of health and wellness products. Some of the highest-profile research has focused on its potential use in tackling epilepsy, but CBD oil is turning up in a huge range of products that appear to impact everything from pain management to improving mental processes.

The CBD market is growing enormously in the United States and beyond. The large, healthy harvests coming out of Kentucky should find no shortage of demand for the oil extracted from its plants. Sugarmade’s first foray into CBD has all the signs of success.

Where Next for Hemp?

Based on these results, Sugarmade has already begun plans to significantly expand its hemp operations next year. Hempistry has optioned 23,000 acres for potential hemp cultivation, more than is currently growing in the top five states put together.

Statistics taken from the Hemp Business Journal show that the U.S. hemp industry saw at least $820 million in revenues in 2017. Some experts forecast that number to increase to more than a billion dollars in 2018 and continue to grow at a compound rate of 14 percent per year until 2022. This increase is driven in part by growth in demand and in part by changes to the status of the hemp industry.

Central to this is the new version of the Farm Bill currently being considered by the U.S. Senate. The bill includes clauses with cross-party support for hemp cultivation that would expand the potential for farming. Hemp is currently restricted to trial crops and scientific studies, but under the new bill, it could be grown as a regular crop by farmers across the country.

This legal change will let companies such as Sugarmade support the cultivation of large quantities of hemp to meet the huge demand for CBD oil. And if that demand keeps growing, the industry could take off at an exponential rate.

Reaping the Benefits

This growth isn’t just taking place in America. Demand for CBD oil and other cannabis-related products is expanding around the world, as is the industry meeting that demands. Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) manufactures products used by thousands of patients, researchers and physicians across the globe, and is building that international reach. In addition to affiliates in Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and Portugal, the company recently acquired Alef Biotechnology SpA in Chile.

One of Canada’s largest cannabis companies, Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) has drawn jaw-dropping financial backing from beyond the cannabis industry. American beverage company Constellation Brands’ $4 billion investment will allow the two companies to develop CBD-infused drinks, building a leisure market for ingredients derived from hemp. With a corporate giant such as Constellation taking an interest, pressure is likely to grow for further reform in Washington, easing the way for growth in the hemp industry.

Canopy Growth isn’t the only big player in Canada, where the recent legalization of recreational cannabis is set to supercharge the industry. Aurora Cannabis, Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB) is one of the big players and has already established supply agreements that will let it sell products in provinces across the country. Increasing public awareness of cannabis, driven in part by such supply channels, will also increase awareness of related CBD-based products, with a supplemental boost for hemp.

Meanwhile, researchers continue to find new uses for CBD and other cannabinoids. Cronos Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) has recently announced new work with the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology to explore the use of cannabinoids in skin care. Not only are existing markets expanding, but new ones are being created as additional promising uses for cannabis-based products are found.

This year’s bumper hemp crop looks to be just the beginning of a burgeoning industry with an exciting future.

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

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

Receive Text Alerts from CannabisNewsWire: Text “Cannabis” to 21000

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com and or https://CannabisNewsWire.News

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
Denver, Colorado
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Cannabis Ignores Wider Stock Market, Follows Its Own Path

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Following a tumultuous month, cannabis continues to carve its own path rather than following the lead of other stocks.

  • As the stock market plummeted earlier this month, cannabis companies stayed strong, buoyed up by legislative changes in Canada.
  • The cannabis market appears set for continuing growth as it expands into expected sales worth billions of dollars across North America.
  • While it still faces regulatory challenges in some locations, this market sector is preparing for corporate big players to move in.

Companies with varied interests are moving into the cannabis sector, such as lifestyle business Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) (YGYI Profile). While the stocks of some cannabis players such as Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) appear overvalued, this reflects problems with valuation tools more than the stocks themselves. The sector has developed its own heavy hitters, such as Canopy Growth Corp. (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED), whose millions of square feet of growing space are now leading to sales into the United States as well as Canada. Some companies are focused only on medical products, such as GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) with its cannabis-based prescription medicines. But it’s the recreational side of the cannabis space that has drawn in Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE: STZ), a huge beverage maker that has invested $4 billion in a cannabis cultivator.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Cannabis Stocks Versus the Market

It’s been an interesting month for cannabis stocks.

Three weeks ago, cannabis looked like a particularly strong bet. As the wider stock market fell, cannabis stayed strong. Some cannabis stocks even saw significant rises in value amid promising developments from those companies. Legalization in Canada undoubtedly played a part in their success, with the run-up to Oct. 17 seeing predictions of massive profits for cannabis companies. But some commentators argued that it was part of a bigger trend in which cannabis stocks are among those that don’t follow other market indicators.

Then came the week following legalization and a notable fall in the value of cannabis shares. The hype around these companies was punctured by market shifts. Had they fallen in line with the rest of the market? Was the reality of Canadian legalization catching up with the imagined utopia? Or was this simply a downturn for a sector trending separately from competitors?

More to the Market

To understand shifts in cannabis shares, one needs to take a look at the state of the industry.

The cannabis industry isn’t self-contained. The spread of legalization and the emergence of derivative products has created a diverse sector combining exciting startups with older companies dipping their toes in a novel market. Alongside the pure-play cannabis brands, there are pharmaceutical businesses and even lifestyle companies such as Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI).

These companies are selling three distinct products.

First, there’s medical cannabis. Supplied on prescription to deal with pain and nausea, cannabis’ medical properties remain hotly debated but that hasn’t stopped the state-legalized use of it from spreading across more than half of the United States.

In material terms, recreational cannabis has exactly the same chemical makeup as some of the medicinal products. What’s primarily different is the way that it’s marketed, sold and used. This is cannabis used for fun and relaxation. It’s now available by law in nine U.S. states and Canada.

Then there are the derivative products. Most, including those sold by Youngevity, use cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabidiol is an active ingredient that doesn’t get users high. CBD can be extracted from cannabis, both from the marijuana plant as well as its tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-free variety known as industrial hemp. Research into CBD is still in its infancy, but it is already used in a wide range of health and wellness products.

Over the past 20 years, cannabis has grown from a black market drug to a major public market product in North America, with growing influence in the rest of the world. From the first stirrings of a medical market to the current state of affairs in which a G8 country has a recreational market and the White House is hinting at U.S. reforms, it’s been a fast ride. As a result, there’s still a lot of uncertainty about cannabis’ destiny.

Where Now for Cannabis Shares?

The idea that weed doesn’t correlate to other stocks seems to have some truth. This was shown by the events of early to mid-October, when legal reform and individual brand announcements set it on an opposite trend from other shares. While the Dow has headed towards its worst month since May 2010, cannabis stocks have carved their own path. It looked like good news for companies such as Youngevity.

For now, cannabis is offering a real challenge for traders. Cannabis stocks look overvalued based on traditional valuation metrics such as price-to-book ratio, price-to-earnings ratio or price-to-sales ratio. But these metrics are based on past results, not future valuations. Given ongoing changes, the future performance of cannabis companies will be nothing like the past. Whole new customer bases are opening up, bringing staggering potential for growth.

In the next month, there will be votes on whether to allow recreational cannabis in North Dakota and Michigan, at least one of which is likely to pass. North of the border, Canada is planning to legalize cannabis-infused edibles next year. That means a whole new sector of profit opportunities.

Then there’s the impending arrival of big players in the market. Big pharmaceutical and consumables companies haven’t paid much attention to cannabis yet, as its value is relatively low compared with their existing revenues. But with the market expanding, both groups may get involved — beverage and tobacco companies pursuing a natural spin-off from their existing businesses and big pharma in pursuit of new medicines. Those are moves that will bring disruption unrelated to wider markets.

As a lifestyle brand selling both coffee and cannabis derivatives, Youngevity has already placed itself to enter this cross-over market. And with its new HempFX™ line now available online, it’s moving fast to profit from changes in the cannabis market.

Riding High

Alongside medical and recreational marijuana, CBD is seeing huge growth. Youngevity CEO Steve Wallach has spoken about the huge potential of CBD products in direct sales channels, not just in America but around the world. His company is riding high on this trend with the announcement of new CBD products.

Youngevity’s first offering in the CB market is the HempFX™ product line, a trio of three different hemp-derived cannabidiol oil products that contain organically grown products in proprietary formulas designed for a variety of everyday use.

The products include Soothe™, a blend of botanicals designed to relieve muscles by calming aches and pains; Uplift™, which combines CBD with St. John’s Wort to improve cognitive performance and mood; and Relax™, which combines CBD with a variety of herbs and melatonin to bring relaxation and a better night’s sleep.

Cannabis’ Long-Term Prospects

The signs remain good for cannabis companies. One study predicts that sales in Canada could reach $7.1 billion in 2019, $4.3 billion of that coming from the recreational market.

The boss of cannabis company Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) believes that the market in the United States will soon be worth $150 billion. A leading player in the medical cannabis market, Tilray has established agreements with Canadian partners that will let it profit from changes in that country, changes that could radically improve its earnings.

Other companies are also making significant movements in the market. Drinks giant Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ) has invested $4 billion in Canopy Growth Corp. (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED), showing that it is serious about moving into the cannabis market. Canopy Growth is one of Canada’s largest cannabis companies, with 5.6 million square feet of growing space. Like Tilray, it’s looking at the wider North American picture and carried out a legal transfer of cannabis to the United States, the first such transfer with a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-issued permit.

Canopy Growth’s strong performance has drawn the attention of companies outside the cannabis sector, leading to the headline-making investment from Constellation Brands earlier this year. Many commentators have talked about this as a chance for Constellation to produce cannabis-infused beverages, a largely untapped market likely to take off once new rules come in Canada next year. But it may represent a broader play, as alcohol and tobacco companies aim to take control of cannabis and fill the gaps as sales of their existing lines fall.

Some companies are focused only on the medical market. GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) has created the first Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved cannabis-based prescription medicine as part of its substantial research and design program. Even as the recreational market and CBD steal its thunder, the medical market remains strong.

Clearly, there are still big uncertainties for the cannabis market. Questions about regulation and how far legalization will spread hang over everybody’s heads. Yet companies are thriving despite this, showing the rewards that so often come with risk and innovation.

For more information on Youngevity, visit Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI)

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

Receive Text Alerts from CannabisNewsWire: Text “Cannabis” to 21000

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com and or https://CannabisNewsWire.News

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
Denver, Colorado
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Changing Attitudes in Washington Offer Promise for Hemp and Cannabis Market

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Legal changes could soon make transacting business easier for the cannabis industry.

  • Reports indicate that the president plans to reform cannabis laws, making commerce easier for businesses working in states with legal markets.
  • Reforming the law could improve the position of companies working with cannabidiol (CBD) as a food additive and industrial hemp.
  • Hemp and CBD are now large segments of the cannabis sector.
  • These anticipated legal changes are part of a wider international shift.

One of the companies that may benefit from changes in the United States is Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTC: MCOA) (MCOA Profile), which works primarily in cultivating industrial hemp and developing CBD products. Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY), which has affiliates around the world, may use its global experience to adjust to changes in the United States. Research into cannabis by companies such as Cronos Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) will become easier, eventually improving product ranges and patient well-being. The legislative shift is also being encouraged by companies such as PotNetwork Holding, Inc. (OTC: POTN) through efforts at public and industry events. And as industry leaders such as Aphria, Inc. (OTC: APHQF) (TSX: APH) swallow up smaller companies, a stronger, consolidated sector is likely to result.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

White House Hints at Cannabis Reform

Spirits have been lifted in the American cannabis industry following a report that the White House is planning to support drug law reform. California Sen. Dana Rohrabacher told Fox Business that insiders around the president have said he intends to push for a reform of cannabis regulation. This would reportedly involve encouraging the federal government to make medical marijuana legal on a national level while leaving the status of recreational cannabis up to individual states.

The reasons behind Rohrabacher’s announcement are clear. As a Republican defending a closely fought seat in a pro-cannabis state, he stands to benefit from convincing his constituents that his party is pro-cannabis. But the stance is also part of a wider trend in politics.

A growing number of politicians from both main parties have shown support for legalization, driven by shifts in public attitudes. Polls this year have indicated that 64 percent of Americans support legalization and 74 percent support legislation that would protect states that legalize cannabis despite the federal government’s opposition. Always happy to ride a high-profile trend, President Donald Trump has previously indicated that he will support a states’ rights agenda on the issue, despite action in the opposite direction by his attorney general.

What will this mean for cannabis companies?

Making Life Easier for Cannabis Companies

Cannabis is already big business in the United States. Nearly two-thirds of states have legalized medical marijuana in some form, and one in five have legalized its recreational use. Clearly, there’s a large legal market to be served. This has led to growth not only for companies catering to those sectors but to those engaging in cannabis in other ways, such as Marijuana Company of America (OTC: MCOA).

MCOA illustrates the variety of ways in which companies are now engaging in the cannabis sector. Rather than producing medical or recreational cannabis, the company has focused on varied uses of industrial hemp, a form of cannabis without the psychoactive qualities. Derivatives of hemp can be used in food, textiles, construction and medicines, making it a versatile and valuable crop.

Within that part of the sector, MCOA has a variety of operations. The company is engaged in two partnerships to improve plant strains and cultivation techniques, and sells a range of products derived from hemp. This range of business opportunities is part of what makes the cannabis sector so profitable, with a value in the billions of dollars in Canada alone.

The potential profits of the sector mean that ambitious companies such as MCOA have been able to raise finance through investment rather than through hard-to-come-by bank loans, which have been in short supply in the United States because of the federal government’s stance toward the plant. Clearing up the contradictions between state and federal laws would make business much easier.

Industrial Hemp

One of the biggest growth areas within the current cannabis market may not necessarily feed into the medical or recreational cannabis markets. That sector is industrial hemp.

Hemp is a form of cannabis that contains only a minimal level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical that gets cannabis consumers high. Before the general prohibition on cannabis cultivation, hemp was largely used in producing rope and textiles. Now this space is seeing a resurgence thanks to changes in cannabis legislation. MCOA is involved in growing hemp through businesses such as its New Brunswick Hemp Project, one of many companies exploring hemp’s potential.

In the United States, hemp is currently grown legally on sites designated as research and test projects. This was made possible following the 2014 Farm Bill, which included provisions for such sites.The potential for that bill to be expanded this year to full agricultural legalization of hemp is expected to drive spectacular success for farmers who choose to cultivate it. Hemp can be grown outdoors in fields and will grow quickly in a wide range of conditions. Some farmers have predicted that they may see revenues of $90,000 per acre for the crop, compared with only $600 for alfalfa, one of the most popular crops in the United States.

The 2014 Farm Bill expired at the end of September this year, and the bill scheduled to replace it has not yet been passed, thanks to battles on a wide range of issues between Republicans and Democrats. Surprisingly, hemp is fairly noncontroversial. The plant has found cross-party support, with backing for legal reform driven by Republican leaders. As a result, provisions in the bill that would allow for more hemp farming will almost certainly be passed when work on the bill is completed after the November mid-terms.

The updated Farm Bill will make it easier for companies such as MCOA to expand their operations and sell their products. And following reports about cannabis law reforms coming out of the White House, the bill looks likely to become a herald of wider potential.

Hemp’s Big New-Profit Area — CBD

One of the most exciting areas for exploration is how hemp can best be turned into profit. CBD is hemp’s primary active ingredient. Recent research has found a range of uses for CBD in health and wellness products. It’s the extraction of CBD that makes hemp so potentially profitable for modern farmers.

CBD is already being used in a wide variety of products. MCOA’s hempSMART line alone includes pain capsules, a topical pain cream, face cream and pet wellness products. Legal changes will make it easier for companies to research and manufacture products such as these, broadening the scope of the CBD market.

Unregulated CBD grants companies more potential to go international, as its sale is less limited than that of medical and recreational cannabis. MCOA is currently preparing to launch hempSMART into Europe and has appointed a new global sales director to oversee this work.

Legal Changes Affect Many Companies

Whether it’s the Farm Bill or President Trump’s promise to accept a revision of federal laws, the possibility of legal changes has the potential to affect a lot of companies working within the cannabis sector. State-level legalization and changes in Canada’s laws this month have allowed companies to emerge working entirely within this sector.

Like MCOA, Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is working beyond the boundaries of the United States. The company has affiliates in Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and Portugal, and is now adding Chile to that roster through the acquisition of Alef Biotechnology SpA. Tilray’s products are already used by tens of thousands of patients as well as physicians and researchers around the world. That gives the company existing experience and infrastructure to expand in a reformed American market.

Another company with international reach — Cronos Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) — is earning a name for itself not just as a supplier of cannabis products but also as a researcher in the arena. Cronos has recently announced a study into the effectiveness of medical cannabis in tackling sleep disorders. Such research will be both easier and more profitable as more countries legalize cannabis.

A sign of the power of the sector is the growing number of holding companies now built around cannabis. PotNetwork Holding, Inc. (OTC: POTN) is one of those, with subsidiary companies covering cannabis production and related parts of the industry. The company is reaching out to customers through large events such as the 2018 World Vapor Expo, designed to increase the profile of cannabis and remind those in power of the plant’s popularity. Such corporate PR work is increasing the momentum of the movement towards legalization.

The growth of the industry has also led to a series of mergers and acquisitions, as big players consolidate their hold. Aphria, Inc. (OTC: APHQF) (TSX: APH) recently completed acquisitions in Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada, bringing with them supply agreements reaching into Europe and Israel. Liberalization of cannabis laws is becoming a global trend, and as the businesses involved become bigger, so will the push for further reform.

Legal changes appear certain to come to the United States. When they do, there will be plenty of companies making the most of them.

For more information on Marijuana Company of America, visit Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTC: MCOA)

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

Receive Text Alerts from CannabisNewsWire: Text “Cannabis” to 21000

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com and or https://CannabisNewsWire.News

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
Denver, Colorado
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Canada Leads International Cannabis Boom — and It’s Not About Smoking

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Legal changes in Canada are creating an ideal base for cannabis companies, which are shifting their focus away from smoking.

  • As the first G20 nation to make recreational cannabis legal, Canada is creating an opportunity for its cannabis companies to become global leaders.
  • Analysis shows that the global cannabis market is larger than expected — and set to keep growing.
  • Many new consumers prefer not to smoke their cannabis, leading to a shift towards cannabis-derived food and drinks.

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) (LXRP Profile) has developed patented technology that helps make cannabis available to nonsmokers; the company’s innovative development methods make cannabis’ active chemicals more palatable and more effective in food and drink. Companies such as Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) are expanding their production to cater to this growing market, resulting in rising share values. GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) has leveraged its position in the market to raise extra financing through a $345 million public offering.  Aurora Cannabis, Inc. (OTC: ACBFF) (TSX: ACB) has been focusing on ensuring access to a broad market, setting up supply agreements across Canada. Meanwhile, other companies are evaluating international growth opportunities, with Cronos Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) having established subsidiaries on five continents.

The Canada-led Revolution

This month marks one of the most dramatic changes ever in the cannabis market, a moment set to transform the industry and the way that it’s viewed. As of Oct. 17, consumers across Canada are able to buy cannabis for recreational consumption for the first time. Canada is the first G20 nation to make such a change, and the precedent could be critical. Other countries are watching what happens in Canada, as voters around the world push their governments toward similar legalization; there are already more than 30 countries around the world where cannabis is legal in some form for medical use.

The Canadian example comes just as analysis shows that the cannabis market is larger than previously realized and set for continued growth. This puts Canadian companies in a powerful position, able to make the most of being based in a country that’s friendly to the cannabis industry. By using the freedom and opportunities this presents, these companies could easily become global leaders in a fast-growing sector.

Canada Legalizes Cannabis

For Canadian companies working in the cannabis sector, such as Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP), huge changes are coming.

After much political maneuvering, recreational cannabis is now legal in Canada in keeping with a promise made by Justin Trudeau when he was elected prime minister in 2015. The wait has been frustrating for some, but it has given companies such as Lexaria time to establish their leadership position.

Canada already has a thriving medical cannabis industry, in which tight regulation provides control over the use of drugs. The new regulations extend this careful approach to the recreational market. Using a model similar to liquor licensing, retailers will have to be licensed to sell cannabis and follow clear rules. Those who try to sell outside the system will be quickly shut down.

In setting up its system, the Canadian government and provincial authorities have learned from the example of legalization in certain U.S. states. They worked with cannabis companies to ensure that the licensing system for both production and retail was ready for the Oct. 17 deadline While there will undoubtedly be hitches, including the likelihood that demand will initially outstrip supply, this appears likely to be a smooth launch.

Companies have also been making adjustments. For example, Lexaria recently announced a new subsidiary, Lexaria CanPharm Corp., which is focused purely on applying the company’s technology to the cannabis industry. Because Lexaria sells technology, if is already earning revenue in several locations both within and outside of Canada without touching the plant. Lexaria has a Canadian base but international reach.

Cannabis Market Larger Than Expected

Judging the potential size of the legal cannabis market is a tricky business. The drug’s widespread illegality around the world means that data is almost entirely drawn from surveys, in which respondents may be wary of admitting their consumption. Legalization will likely lead to changes in consumption patterns; easier access will almost certainly increase both medical and recreational demand.

Despite the limitations on judging the market, observers have been keen to estimate what the market could represent. A survey from before legalization indicated that 4.2 million Canadians consume cannabis on a regular or occasional basis. Based on this data, companies and commentators have predicted an industry worth billions of dollars, which could quickly surpass the whiskey industry.

But leading cannabis commentators are now suggesting that previous estimates may have undervalued cannabis’ potential. The only specialist cannabis analyst for a major Wall Street trading firm believes that the impact of legalizing a previously illegal market has been underestimated. Legalization could lead not just to large-scale sales of cannabis but also to its use as an ingredient in other products. Because Fortune 500-type companies are now interested in the space, the market could eventually be worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

If that analysis is accurate, then many cannabis companies are being massively undervalued. That’s good news for the future prospects of businesses such as Lexaria.

Consuming Cannabis without Smoking

This growth is likely to be coupled with changes in the way cannabis is consumed — changes of huge relevance for Lexaria.

A recent survey of U.S. consumers showed that many would like to try cannabis if it became legal. They also said that they would be more likely to do so if they could consume the plant through food. Putting cannabis into drinks and snack foods will make it easier for people to enjoy in a social setting with friends, in a similar way that they currently consume alcohol. That would make it a more popular and accepted part of everyday life.

Lexaria’s patented technology could be invaluable for companies catering to this desire. Its lipophilic enhancement technology is designed to improve the biological conductivity of active compounds, including those found in cannabis. It increases their potential for absorption by the body, meaning that consumers get better value for their cannabis. It also improves the taste, which will be important in making cannabis food and drinks popular. Recent tests have shown good results for applying this technique to active ingredients derived from cannabis.

Lexaria plans on licensing this technology to third-party partners and was recently awarded its 9th and 10th granted patents applicable for cannabis beverages. With cannabis-infused food and drink set to hit the Canadian market next year, and with large companies eyeing its potential, plenty of companies are sure to be interested in such technology that takes advantage of Lexaria’s leadership position.

Growing with the Market

The legalization of recreational cannabis is good for companies already working in the Canadian medical market such as Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY). A company with a strong pedigree in research and development, Tilray is expanding its sales potential in preparation for the recreational market. Its High Park Farms subsidiary recently received a license to sell cannabis in Canada and has already carried out several harvests to get stocks ready for sale. Such moves have led to positive views of the company’s future, with Wall Street commentators predicting a huge rise in the value of its shares over the next year.

The expectation of huge growth in the cannabis industry is helping companies raise extra finance to tap into that market. GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) has just raised over $345 million through a public offering. A medical cannabis company, GW isn’t currently involved in the recreational sector but is still profiting from the growth it brings.

One of the big players in Canada’s medical cannabis market, Aurora Cannabis, Inc. (OTCQX: ACBFF) (TSX: ACB), has been laying the groundwork to make the most of recreational sales. The company has supply agreements with provinces across Canada, giving it the opportunity to reach a broad customer base. As well as providing quick profits, this will help to establish brand recognition early on for greater influence as the market grows.

While attention is currently focused on Canada, that is just one part of the cannabis market. As with other industries, global reach will eventually decide the biggest players, and Cronos Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) is already working on such expansion. With subsidiaries in North and South America, Europe, Australia and Israel, the company is tapping into growing cannabis markets around the world. Lessons from Canada will help in developing these other markets and in positioning Cronos to make the most of them.

The legalization of cannabis in Canada is a critical part in an international puzzle, one whose pieces include unexpected growth, global connections and transformations in consumer habits. Put together, these pieces offer the hope of a profitable future for cannabis companies.

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

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

Receive Text Alerts from CannabisNewsWire: Text “Cannabis” to 21000

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com and or https://CannabisNewsWire.News

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
Denver, Colorado
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Hemp and CBD Set to Eclipse the THC Marijuana Market

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: As the cannabis market continues to grow, hemp and cannabidiol (CBD) are occupying an increasingly large share of the escalating industry.

  • Hemp, the form of cannabis without psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is an important part of the cannabis market.
  • Hemp is common in many health and wellness products.
  • Total sales of hemp-derived products are expected to exceed $1 billion this year.
  • Some industry experts expect hemp products to soon exceed marijuana for their share of the cannabis industry.

Sugarmade, Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) (SGMD Profile) is taking advantage of this shift by making a heavy investment in hemp production. Medical marijuana company Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) bridges the gap between product types through its production of CBD oils. One of the largest cannabis growers in Canada, Canopy Growth Corp. (NYSE: CGC) provides plants used in a wide range of products. GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) has created the first cannabis-derived prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Meanwhile, public acceptance and more positive perception of the cannabis sector are shifting, thanks at least in part to publicity efforts by shifted by cannabis companies such as Aurora Cannabis, Inc. (OTCQX: ACBFF) (TSX: ACB).

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

The Two Sides of the Cannabis Market

It’s all too easy to view the cannabis sector as a single market providing variations on the same product. In reality, it’s an increasingly complex and varied industry. Its primary plants and products can be divided into two groups: marijuana (and THC) in one category, and hemp (and CBD) in the other.

The marijuana piece of the cannabis market is the one more traditionally recognized. In this space, plants grown, cultivated and used contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient that gets drug users high. THC is the reason for cannabis’ ongoing popularity as a recreational drug worth hundreds of millions of dollars in both legal and illegal markets.

The other side of the market is centered around hemp. Hemp does not contain THC; rather it contains CBD, an active ingredient found in other cannabis plants. CBD has fueled the development of medical marijuana applications, but alternative products that utilize the substance are increasingly popular in the health and wellness markets, where they can be bought more widely than medical marijuana. As a result, some industry experts note that hemp may soon make up the larger part of the cannabis industry.

The Growth of the CBD Market

Though less well-known outside of specialist markets, CBD is becoming a more accessible way to benefit from cannabis. This has led to investment from companies across the cannabis sector, including Sugarmade, Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD).

Sales of hemp-based products in the United States reached $820 million last year, of which $190 million, or 23 percent of sales, consisted of CBD-derived products, according to Hemp Business Journal. That total for hemp is expected to pass a billion dollars this year.

Predictions for the future are even more promising. The same Hemp Business Journal article estimates that the hemp market will reach $1.9 billion in the United State by 2022, with $646 million of that coming from CBD and its derivatives. The Brightfield Group is even more optimistic in its assessment. The group’s industry specialists believe that CBD could outstrip the rest of the cannabis sector in size in the next few years.

For companies such as Sugarmade, whose business is closely tied to CBD, these developments create opportunities for expansion and innovation.

CBD Enters the Mainstream

A wide variety of end-use product potential is helping hemp gain mainstream use and acceptance. This market includes supplements, personal care products, textiles, and food and industrial applications, as well as CBD and the support services provided Sugarmade and other similar companies.

The hemp market has grown 15 percent per year over the past few years. Unlike marijuana sales, this growth isn’t driven by the medical and recreational sectors. Instead, body products and supplements have been key factors. Much of the hemp for these products has been imported from Canada and China, with imports totaling $78.2 million in 2015, not counting textiles, paper products or construction materials.

The hemp market is expected to be strengthened by the2018 Farm Bill currently making its way through the U.S. Senate. Legislation included in the act, supported by the Senate majority leader, would remove industrial hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, making it easier for farmers to grow hemp for CBD and other agricultural purposes. Since the last farm bill was passed four years ago, some farmers have been able to legally set up test production of hemp for CBD, but widespread cultivation has not been permitted.

The extent of the change permitted by the expected agricultural law remains uncertain. Other issues unrelated to cannabis are currently holding up the Farm Bill, despite widespread bipartisan support for the hemp provisions. Once the bill passes, the impact for CBD will also depend upon decisions made by state authorities and the FDA. But the bill will certainly ease the way for potential hemp growers in states that support the CBD industry. Until now, national law only allowed the growing of hemp and harvest of CBD in state pilot programs and for academic research; in the 2018 Farm Bill, those limitations are eliminated.

Clearly, The legalization of hemp and CBD on the federal level will only benefit companies such as Sugarmade. Previously, access to financial and support services could be difficult for companies working in the cannabis sector. Marijuana retailers had to resort to cash payments or newly developed electronic systems because banks feared doing business with companies defying federal law. Making hemp legal will allow a wide variety of support systems to evolve.

Innovating with CBD

The success of companies such as Sugarmade that are working in the CBD space comes in large part through innovation. These companies recognize the need to research, offer, and implement new products, services and investments to drive growth.

New products will take CBD into new commercial categories. Hemp-derived beverages and pet foods are both on the horizon. Medicines are being tested. Paper, cloth and construction are also industries that stand to benefit from additional hemp offerings.

Sugarmade’s success comes through expansion in hydroponics, the company’s entry into the cannabis space. Hydroponic equipment is key to cultivating cannabis and, as a result, hydroponic companies have seen substantial growth over the past few years. Sugarmade is building upon its existing growth by acquiring two other hydroponics companies, a move that turned the company into one of the leading players in hydroponics. This move is also expected to raise Sugarmade’s revenues next year from $30 million to $75 million as the market for hemp and its support services grows.

Sugarmade has also reinforced its position in the market through more direct investment in CBD. The company recently committed to investing a million dollars in Hempistry, Inc. The investment is targeted to support Hempistry’s work on an ultra-high CBD-content hemp strain being grown in Kentucky. It also positions Sugarmade to profit directly from the staggering growth in CBD.

The impact of the hemp industry extends beyond the United States. Sugarmade has made moves into Europe as well, selling hydroponics in the United Kingdom. While the current hemp market in Europe is small, savvy companies are evaluating opportunities to get in now. Where America leads, Europe is likely to follow, which means the road towards legalized cannabis and a thriving CBD market may be imminent.

Cannabis Competitors

A number of companies are competing for a share of the CBD market.

For medical marijuana company Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY), CBD is a natural extension of its other work. The company has developed CBD oil for medical use and is one of the first to sell such a product into the United Kingdom after top politicians intervened to make CBD available for treating rare childhood forms of epilepsy. A strong program of research and development has led to growth for the company, which is now making initial public offerings in the United States and Canada to finance further work.

Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) is one of the largest cannabis companies in Canada, a leading market for cannabis and CBD. With 5.6 million square feet of growing space spread across its facilities and subsidiaries, three-quarters of it licensed by Canadian authorities to grow cannabis, Canopy Growth has become a powerhouse within the industry and is breaking new ground for cannabis companies, having completed the first legal transfer of cannabis from Canada to the United States using a DEA-issued permit. This transfer, for medical research purposes, seems to reflect a softening of DEA attitudes as the agency adjusts to the changing status quo.

Medical cannabis research is also important to GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH). The company created the first cannabis-based prescription medicine to gain FDA approval and continues to innovate through its research and product divisions. Like Tilray, the company is committed to growth, having recently announced new shares to raise $300 million of finance.

Aurora Cannabis, Inc. (OTCQX: ACBFF) (TSX: ACB) isn’t just selling its own CBD-rich health and wellness products — it’s also working to raise the public profile of the cannabis industry. It has partnered with Elevate, the annual citywide Toronto festival, to create tracks discussing cannabis and health issues. These events will encourage discussion about the health potential of CBD and marijuana, as both sides of the industry continue to gain in size and public recognition.

The cannabis industry has seen huge growth over the past decade, and now it’s going through big changes. Commercial CBD and hemp, until recently existing in the shadow of medical cannabis and recreational marijuana, could soon be the leading products in a growing global market.

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

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

Receive Text Alerts from CannabisNewsWire: Text “Cannabis” to 21000

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com and or https://CannabisNewsWire.News

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
Denver, Colorado
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Fresh Acquisitions Help Companies Profit from Growth in the Cannabis Sector

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: A wave of acquisitions is sweeping the cannabis sector, as increasing legalization draws the attention of big business.

  • Large and mid-tier cannabis companies are absorbing their smaller competitors.
  • Tobacco and alcohol companies are moving in as a natural extension of their current ranges.
  • This is supported by growth not just among cannabis growers but also for businesses supporting them.

Cultivation supplies company Sugarmade, Inc. (OTC: SGMD) (SGMD Profile) has recently announced the acquisition of hydroponic product companies that could more than double its revenue. Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is fueling expansion through an initial public offering as it begins its first sales of CBD oil products in the United Kingdom. Drinks giant Constellation Brands now owns a large chunk of Canopy Growth Corp. (NYSE: CGC), one of Canada’s largest cannabis companies. GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) is releasing fresh shares to fund its R&D-driven growth. Meanwhile, Aurora Cannabis, Inc. (OTCQX: ACBFF) is making acquisitions across the Atlantic, buying out a pair of European hemp companies.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Acquisitions Grow in Cannabis Sector

Twenty years ago, it would have sounded like a science fiction fever dream, but today the cannabis industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the North American economy. The nine U.S. states where recreational cannabis is legal are about to be joined by the entire country of Canada, while another 20 states have legal markets for medical marijuana. Businesses catering to these markets are going from strength to strength, whether selling cannabis, manufacturing products derived from it or providing the tools and support that growers need.

This has led to a flurry of mergers and acquisitions in the cannabis sector. At the top end, large companies from other sectors have started buying into cannabis. Beverage manufacturer Constellation Brands owns more than a third of the shares in Canopy Growth, Molson is working with Hydropothecary, and Phillip Morris has been talking about moving into the sector. Seeing another legal drug coming into play, tobacco and alcohol companies want to buy their part of the future.

And there’s also been a lot of movement within the industry.

Cannabis Companies Buy Up Competitors

Among existing cannabis companies, consolidation is the name of the game. A wide scatter of small companies — startups created within a new and uncertain industry — are combining into larger operations.

One example is a recent series of acquisitions by Sugarmade, Inc. (OTC: SGMD). A Los Angeles company with warehouses in southern California, Sugarmade isn’t a purely cannabis-oriented business, but its work in restaurant supplies and packaging is increasingly taking a back seat. Its higher profile work is in the cannabis sector, where it provides cultivation supplies.

Sugarmade isn’t one of the big players in cannabis, but it has made bold moves for a mid-tier company. Following an SEC filing earlier this year, the company has recently made formal proposals for the acquisition of two hydroponic supply companies catering to the cannabis sector. These acquisitions would more than double Sugarmade’s expected revenue for next year, from $30 million to $75 million.

Even within the cannabis industry, this is an unusual move. Most of the mergers and acquisitions are being led by big companies, who can obtain external investment to drive their expansion. It’s a familiar case of success breeding success, as the largest companies are most able to grow. But Sugarmade is bucking that trend in a move that could see it join the big players, disrupting the status quo of the cannabis industry.

“These acquisitions will not only very significantly boost our top line revenue growth, but will also expand our distribution across the most important sectors of the fast-growing cannabis marketplace,” said Sugarmade CEO Jimmy Chan. “In addition to the revenue growth opportunities, we will also be afforded very meaningful cost savings across many operational functions. In particular, we believe there are strong cost synergies relative to manufacturing, purchasing, international transport, warehousing and shipment to customers. Perhaps most exciting, however, is that these acquisitions will place us among the largest public companies in the booming cannabis sector.”

It’s a strategy that brings a lot of obvious advantages. Greater integration smooths out supply chains and increases efficiency, reducing overheads to improve profits. It increases a company’s ability to bring specialist expertise in house. It increases a company’s influence in negotiating with suppliers and customers, as well as in lobbying authorities.

But in a sector where mergers are likely to continue, it also has another effect. As the big players in tobacco and alcohol look for cannabis businesses to buy, Sugarmade’s growing strength improves its bargaining position. Whether the company aims to be bought up or to hold onto its independence, it will be better able to negotiate from a place of strength.

Supporting Services

Talk about the cannabis industry usually focuses on the cultivators and distributors, those directly dealing with cannabis. But over the past decade, the industry has grown far more diverse. Support companies such as Sugarmade play an increasingly important role.

The most obvious support services are those supplying cultivation equipment. This is where Sugarmade’s main business lies, selling growers the tools they need to produce their crops.

Hydroponics, the growth of plants in water-based nutrients instead of soil, is an important part of this. Used to grow high-quality plants in indoor facilities, this method is central to the cultivation of controlled, high-quality cannabis crops in secure conditions. Hydroponic sales have allowed Sugarmade to expand beyond North America and into the European market, where cannabis is still largely illegal but its cultivation tools have other uses. The companies Sugarmade is buying also work in hydroponics and their acquisition could make the company a major player within that market.

Support services for cannabis are increasingly diverse. Equipment for waste disposal, lighting and growing beds are all important. Some of this is provided by hydroponics companies, while other components are created by specialist firms. Seeds are nurtured and sold, new plant strains grown, and growing and harvesting techniques developed. Research and financial services specifically geared toward cannabis add to a complex and multifaceted industry.

The Potential for Growth

Much as its opponents might disagree, the cannabis industry isn’t going away. In the United States, where Sugarmade is based, the industry shows every sign of continuing its rapid growth.

The biggest driver for growth is still legal change. The legalization of both medical and recreational cannabis has been spreading state by state, as increasingly liberal attitudes are reflected in the law. Though cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, the government has done nothing to clamp down on these efforts by states. If anything, the government’s attitude is softening, with this year’s Farm Bill set to legalize industrial hemp, a nonpsychoactive form of cannabis.

Industrial hemp is already being grown in test projects in the United States, creating impressive profits for the farmers involved. While its cultivation often operates differently from that of medical and recreational cannabis, it relies on much of the same knowledge and many of the same tools. For companies such as Sugarmade, which provide cultivation supplies, industrial hemp will mean significant opportunities for growth.

On top of this, there’s the long-term growth expected from cannabis companies within the states that have legalized their products. As the legal consumer market settles in, the habits of cannabis consumers will change. They’ll move away from buying from criminals, undermining illegal networks and giving more business to the legal companies. As these companies expand production facilities, the need for additional equipment and supplies will increase – supplies that can be provided by Sugarmade and the companies that it’s absorbing.

Many North American cannabis companies are seeing substantial growth. Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is looking to finance its ongoing expansion through initial public offerings in the United States and in Canadian provinces. A leading medical marijuana company, Tilray has sold its products to customers on five continents and is one of the first companies to sell CBD oil, a cannabis derivative, in the United Kingdom. Its expansion is driven not by acquisitions but by a strong research and development program.

Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) is one of the largest cannabis companies in Canada. Drinks manufacturer Constellation Brands has pumped over $4 billion into Canopy Growth, and the American giant now owns more than a third of Canopy Growth’s shares. It’s a move that will help the companies to collaborate in producing cannabis-infused drinks, which will become legal in Canada next year. More than this, it’s a move by a drinks manufacturer to get a foothold in cannabis and so expand from alcohol into another legal drug.

GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) has been growing through new products and research, with the creation of the first FDA-approved prescription medicine derived from cannabis plants. It has just announced the release of new shares, which are expected to raise $300 million in support of the company’s ongoing growth.

Aurora Cannabis, Inc. (OTCQX: ACBFF) is going international with its latest acquisition. In September, the company acquired Europe’s largest producer of organic hemp, Agropro UAB, and hemp processor and distributor Borela UAB. This will increase the company’s production of hemp-derived health and wellness products around the world.

With the cannabis industry expanding, mergers and acquisitions are helping to drive a round of growth, creating companies with the power to compete on the global stage.

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

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

Receive Text Alerts from CannabisNewsWire: Text “Cannabis” to 21000

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com and or https://CannabisNewsWire.News

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
Denver, Colorado
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Public Acceptance Fuels Growth of CBD and Support Industries

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Growing public acceptance of medical marijuana is having secondary effects on other industries.

  • Products using cannabidiol (CBD) are increasingly popular in areas such as wellness and cosmetics.
  • Hemp production is growing, with experimental projects improving cannabis cultivation techniques.
  • Services needed to support these markets, such as payment systems, are growing.

Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTC: MCOA) (MCOA Profile) is benefiting from this in many ways, having invested in hemp, CBD products, rentable cultivation space and payment systems. Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is producing CBD oils and has become one of the first companies to sell these for medical use in the United Kingdom. Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) has received a massive investment from a drinks company, with the aim of producing CBD-infused drinks. GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) created the first prescription medicine derived from cannabis plants to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval and is now heavily involved in research into using CBD to tackle epilepsy. Such drugs may also become useful for fighting insomnia, the subject of a new study by Cronos Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON).

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Public Acceptance of Medical Marijuana Growing

Attitudes towards cannabis and industrial hemp have shifted significantly in the United States in recent years, reflected by legal changes at the state level. The majority of states have legalized these substances for medical use, and a significant proportion now allow their sale for recreational purposes. Increasing access and legitimacy have encouraged an already existing trend toward more liberal views. As a result, 74 percent of Americans now support legislation that would protect states from federal prosecution for legalizing the drug.

Most tellingly, major companies are looking to tap into the popularity of industrial hemp. Coca-Cola, not a company known for taking great risks, is in talks with a major grower about a potential collaboration. This would involve producing drinks infused with cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive chemical found in industrial hemp. A growing body of research into CBD’s potential to relieve pain means that it is an increasingly popular part of the industry. As recreational marijuana use is legalized in Canada this month, companies such as Coca-Cola will use that country to develop and market test products that may later be sold in the United States.

Turning Public Approval into Profits

Reports about this shift in attitudes provide inherently useful information for politicians and public health officials. But for businesses such as Marijuana Company of America (OTC: MCOA), this information only becomes useful if they can turn it into profit.

MCOA is doing this by diversifying its activities and expanding upon existing work to strengthen its position within the market. The industry is now about much more than just growing and selling cannabis. It covers industrial hemp, plant processing, support services, technology and a wide range of products, some a long way from the smokable plants many people picture when they hear the word hemp.

The part of MCOA’s work that most obviously benefits from changing attitudes is its hempSMART line of products. These timely products are infused with hemp-derived CBD, the same chemical Coca-Cola is considering putting into drinks. But while it isn’t yet producing beverages, MCOA has found a wide variety of other ways to use CBD.

Most of the hempSMART brand is targeted at the wellness market. Products such as the recently relaunched hempSMART Brain are formulated to improve the well-being of consumers, in hempSMART Brain’s case by helping maintain mental clarity, alertness, focus and concentration. HempSMART has also entered the cosmetic and skin care realm with its hempSMART Face, a CBD facial moisturizer, which aims to refresh, replenish, and restore skin providing long-lasting hydration and balance.

The production and marketing of these products is made easier by the shift in public perceptions of industrial hemp. As it becomes more accepted, even consumers who aren’t interested in the substance itself are sometimes willing to try ancillary products.

Harvesting Hemp

For centuries, hemp was grown as a source of fiber. A plant related to marijuana but without its psychoactive properties, hemp is now seeing a revival, thanks to legal changes in both Canada and the United States.

In a joint venture with Global Hemp Group, Inc., MCOA has set up two separate hemp production projects — one in Oregon and the other in New Brunswick.

The purposes of these projects include increasing understanding of hemp, developing better cultivation methods, and creating improved strains. Staff at both sites are carrying out research, with support from the local government at the Canadian site. This work covers a range of issues important to hemp cultivation, including pest control and improving soil quality. Drones are used to oversee progress in New Brunswick, giving the company a good overview of how crops are progressing.

By gathering data on plants and cultivation methods, MCOA and Global Hemp are giving themselves an important advantage in a growing industry. Hemp fibers can be used to produce cloth and rope, adapting a historically popular use to the modern world. Perhaps more valuable financially, CBD oil can be extracted from the plants, providing biomass for the market. Growing strains with rich CBD content is an important part of the work at the Oregon site, work that could give the companies an edge over their competitors in the strains they grow.

The work on these sites is providing plenty of practical insights and experience, sometimes in unexpected ways. A bean harvester was recently used to harvest crops in New Brunswick, maximizing profits despite higher than normal weed growth. Experts such as Anthony Rushford, who has brought 20 years of experience in hemp breeding and genetics to the Oregon project — have also been recruited to provide insight on relevant issues.

Support Services

The growth of the marijuana, hemp and CBD markets has led to a need for support services. By expanding into these services, MCOA is further strengthening its position.

The company’s significant investment in MoneyTrac Technology represents a similar step toward diversification. MoneyTrac is a pioneer in alternative banking and electronic finance systems, using blockchain technology to power an accessible payment service. This can be accessed anywhere in the world and used by sellers to track their business and ensure legal compliance, as well as to easily take electronic payments.

As the industry grows, it will need technological solutions for the challenges it faces, and MoneyTrac provides one of those solutions. This technology has potential use beyond the cannabis market as a payment system for other under-served businesses. Both business practices and technology are changing as companies adapt to the emerging commercial environment in the United States.

The Commercial Power of Marijuana Derivatives

The growing acceptance of medical marijuana is providing impetus for many businesses within the sector that are exploring the other products these plants can provide.

Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY), a leading medical marijuana company, sells cannabis flowers and extracts to patients and medical providers on five continents. With a strong investment in research and development, Tilray has been creating other products derived from these plants, including a range of CBD oils. As a result, it is one of the first companies to sell CBD oil into the United Kingdom following a high profile legal change that allowed British patients access to these oils for the first time.

Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) is already one of the leading marijuana companies working in Canada, one with extensive deals to make use of that country’s growing market. Canopy Growth has received a significant financial and publicity boost thanks to a recently approved $4 billion investment from American drinks giant Constellation Brands. This collaboration between the two companies is expected to lead to CBD-infused drinks, another innovation within the industry.

A company with 20 years’ experience developing cannabinoid treatments, GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) created the first prescription medicine derived from cannabis plants to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. GW Pharma has been carrying out research on the use of CBD in tackling rare and dangerous forms of childhood epilepsy, and recently presented data on this work to the 13th Annual European Congress of Epileptology. This research is creating greater support for the safety and effectiveness of CBD in dealing with these diseases.

Research is widening the number of ways in which cannabis and cannabis-derived products can be used. Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) recently announced a study to research the use of cannabis in tackling insomnia.

A diversity of products and uses is allowing marijuana companies to grow in strength, providing support services, medicines, research and rented cultivation facilities alongside their core products of cannabis and CBD oils. It’s a path that can only strengthen the industry.

For more information on Marijuana Company of America, visit Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTC: MCOA)

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

Receive Text Alerts from CannabisNewsWire: Text “Cannabis” to 21000

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com and or https://CannabisNewsWire.News

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
Denver, Colorado
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.net

DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.