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Missouri receives approval and is studying hemp once again for agriculture

After nearly a century, the state of Missouri is once again looking at hemp as part of its agriculture.

The growth is being tested in several facilities across the state.

Prior to the prohibition of hemp in the 30s, Missouri was one of the top several states growing hemp.

In June 2019, Governor Mike Parson signed a bill to allow the plant to be researched once again.

Superintendent of the University of Missouri, David Cope, is taking care of the research.

“We’re tasked with growing some demonstration plots of hemp to see how they would act in certain parts of the state,” said Cope. “We’ve got four different varieties of fiber hemp. This is not to be confused with hemp used for CBD or even medical marijuana.”

Hemp has less than 0.3% of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, however, the state of Missouri is looking more into the industrial use of the plant.

They estimate there are over 50,000 uses for hemp in a wide variety of products.

It could be used in things like rope, cloth, or bioplastics, but that won’t be a factor in Missouri until it is tested.

Since Governor Parson didn’t approve of testing until June, researchers got a little bit of a late start.

“They were planted in July. One of the things we did learn is it flowers due to sunlight, Cope said. “It’s not able to get as tall and as bushy, and that stalk isn’t able to get as big before it starts flowering and going into the reproduction cycle due to the sunlight each day.”

Cope says that hemp will face some of the same challenges other crops do, but he expects many to get good use out of it.

“It’s still going to take a lot of work to get the final product. It’s just another method that folks can try to use to be productive and profitable in a farming operation.”

The University of Missouri is testing several different types of hemp in different parts of the state.

Next year they plan to plant in the spring to get data on a longer growth cycle.

After one month, how are Louisiana’s medical marijuana patients doing?

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - When medical marijuana became available on Aug. 6, Alex Domino said he had no expectations. For him, the medicine was simply a remedy for a myriad of serious ailments that he had not tried.

One month later, 70-year-old Domino says marijuana has changed his outlook on life.

“Hey man, I can make 94 now,” he chuckled. “I don’t have to work as hard to keep myself calm.”

Domino was the first patient to receive medical marijuana in Louisiana. He complained then about sleepless nights and anxiety, both lingering side effects from his bout with serious colon cancer.

“I used to get up and I’d be tired, like I didn’t sleep at all,” he said. “Now, it feels like I’ve had a little rest.”

Domino is one of roughly 1,500 patients who have used the medicine since August. The state’s grower estimates around 5,000 people have consulted with a state-licensed marijuana therapist to determine if the new medicine could help them.

Dr. Victor Chou, Baton Rouge’s first marijuana doctor, says around 80% of his patients are seeing positive results. Chou is seeing around 600 patients. Since he began his marijuana practice two years ago, he’s moved to a larger office and purchased new filing cabinets to keep up with the demand.

Dr. Victor Chou sees about 600 medical marijuana patients.

Dr. Victor Chou sees about 600 medical marijuana patients. (Source: WAFB)

“Not only do I feel validated, more importantly, I feel happy for the patients,” Chou said. “Now that the product is out of the starting gate, we should expect more product at cheaper prices to be able to help even more people.”

Chou notes that not everyone who takes the drug is satisfied. Like any medicine, different marijuana treatments produce different results for different people. In some cases, this may be a result of the dosage.

But for Domino, the medicine produced benefits he didn’t expect. He says he found the treatment “by accident" during an online search for something that could prevent his cancer from returning.

He jokes that he won’t know if marijuana prevents cancer unless he lives to be 106, but says he’s pleasantly surprised with the other effects.

“It makes me feel calmer for some reason. Like somebody made you say, ‘ahhh," Domino said, mimicking a sigh of relief. "That’s what it makes you feel like. It’s got an ‘ahh’ effect.”

With football on the brain, Domino likens his results to a 20-yard scoring play, instead of an 80-yard touchdown: not a miracle drug, but something that’s made his life easier.

He says he hopes other patients will ask their doctor about the treatment.

“I’d tell them to try it, because you never know how one thing is going to work for you,” he said. “It might be better, or it might not be as good, but it will do something.”

“If it just makes a little change, and makes your life better, you want that,” Domino continued. “You don’t want to be down all the time. You want to at least take it up a notch.”

Revealed: 2 cheap cannabis stocks in September

Cannabis stocks have been in a rut in the summer of 2019. Even during its best stretches, this sector has been volatile. Investors who are on the hunt for growth should be looking for discounts in the cannabis space in early September. Today, I want to look at two cannabis stocks that still have explosive potential.

In early August, I’d discussed why Namaste Technologies (TSXV:N) looked like a bargain. The stock was trading close to 52-week lows, which coincided with a rout in the broader sector. The company had released a positive second-quarter report in July and made a promising purchase agreement with an Alberta-based chocolate maker. Cannabis edibles are set for legalization next month.

Namaste stock has climbed 35% over the past month. It has enjoyed a big jump in early September, as investors are again warming up to it after a corporate restructuring brought on a sharp correction. E-commerce has been a huge disruptor in the retail space. Namaste operates as many as 30 different websites across 20 countries. It possesses a user base of 1.5 million.

Canada has had an especially frustrating brick-and-mortar rollout, making the e-commerce side a much more attractive stream right now. Namaste aims to establish itself as the Amazon of cannabis. This is a lofty goal as the industry is still very young, but Namaste has carved out a global presence very early in the game.

Shares of Namaste are still trading at the low end of its 52-week range. The stock has shot up into technically overbought territory due to its September rebound, but this should not scare off investors looking long term.

Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED)(NYSE:CGC) stock has enjoyed a marginal rebound in September, but shares have still plunged 36% over the last three months. It has made its way out of technically oversold territory, but the stock is still trading at the low end of its 52-week range. This stock is a nice complement to the micro-cap Namaste in your portfolio.

The largest cannabis company on the TSX has a flurry of products that will be launching in December. This could be one of the first big boosts Canopy receives from its partnership with Constellation Brands. Edibles are set to be big business in the cannabis space right away, and Canopy is ready to unveil many offerings including chocolate, vape pens, and cannabis-infused beverages.

There are also positive signs of movement for recreational cannabis south of the border. President Trump was typically mealy-mouthed when confronted with the prospect of federal legalization, but there is growing pressure from key voices in the Republican party to take a firmer stance. Canopy has positioned itself to enter the market quickly after its contingent agreement with U.S.-based Acreage Holdings, which is backed by former Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner.

Investors can expect to see its second-quarter results in November. I like Canopy at its current price ahead of edibles legalization.

3 undervalued cannabis companies

Until now the cannabis industry and the stocks that have performed the best are the large companies with huge market caps. Investors have focused on these companies since their survival in the growing industry seems to be more likely than some of the smaller companies that are at risk of being crowded out.

Mid-sized companies have gone slightly under the radar, leaving them with reasonable valuations and offering investors a major opportunity if it’s taken soon.

As Canada moves toward the second wave of legalization, these mid-sized companies are poised to break out, especially in the coming months, as a lot of new capacity comes online with construction projects finishing.

Three mid-sized companies that are extremely undervalued and poised to be the next big producers are Green Organic Dutchman Holdings (TSX:TGOD)  Supreme Cannabis (TSX:FIRE), and Flowr  (TSXV:FLWR).

Green Organic Dutchman

TGOD is one of the best value plays in the cannabis industry. It has big plans and well-thought-out steps for the next two years to handle the rollout of what it is calling cannabis 2.0.

With the introduction of edibles in the retail market and new capacity coming online for TGOD, 2020 looks to be a big growth year. It expects to have more than 200,000 kg of capacity by 2021.

The company has a very strong research team working on innovative products to differentiate itself and its brands as well as grow its intellectual property. In addition, it has achieved complete organic certification to grow in its incredible state-of-the-art hybrid facilities.

TGOD now has deals with B.C and Alberta and just made its first delivery to Ontario. As more of its capacity comes online, it expects to sign more deals nationwide.

In addition to its domestic operations, it’s also been looking globally for growth opportunities. The company operates in multiple jurisdictions internationally including the U.S, Jamaica, Mexico, Poland, and Denmark.

With a market cap of just over $800 million, it’s easily a $1 billion stock and could be worth a lot more.

Supreme Cannabis

Supreme is another growing cannabis producer that operates through its many brands in Canada. At the moment, Supreme has roughly 50,000 kg of capacity and has signed deals with eight provinces.

It has also been diversifying its operations by expanding internationally, similar to many other companies in the sector.

Supreme’s operational strategy has been to focus on growing high-margin, high-quality product. It believes that the domestic recreational market is oversupplied with lower-cost cannabis and users looking for higher-quality cannabis that are willing to pay the price have far fewer choices.

It’s also been positioning itself for the legalization of edibles and extracts by partnering with PAX a leading vaporizer company to make branded oil pods for vaping when the regulations come into play.

With a market cap less than $500 million, Supreme has a ton of value and is one of the best opportunities on the TSX.

Flowr

Flowr is another well-positioned, mid-sized cannabis producer. It has a diversified mix of assets that include indoor, outdoor, and R&D facilities, both domestically and internationally. Like the other companies, it sees international markets as a huge opportunity for growth.

It acquired Holigen which it believes is highly complementary to its domestic business. Holigen has two Portuguese assets that Flowr is planning on using to get its foot in the door to the European market.

The project is massive and will provide many benefits, it has even been designated as a project of national interest by the Portuguese government.

Flowr is also planning for expansion into Australia as a distribution centre for the Asia pacific markets.

Domestically, its strategy is similar to Supreme, which is to focus on growing high-quality, high-priced cannabis.

At just under $350 million, Flowr currently has the lowest market cap and the most value of all three.

Bottom line

Each of these companies is uniquely positioned to benefit from the growing cannabis industry, both domestically and globally.

The introduction of edibles and extracts to the Canadian recreational market coupled with new capacity coming online and growing demand worldwide means that massive growth in the sector is not far off.

Can you overdose on CBD?

While it may not be known to many, the truth is that Cannabis, also known as the Marijuana plant, has been cultivated for its medicinal, physical, and psychoactive properties for thousands of years.

Old records say that the first medicinal use of the cannabis plant could date back to 2000 BC when the then emperor of China Shen Neng drank marijuana tea to treat various ailments like poor memory, gout, malaria, etc

Many years later in the 19th century, William Osler, considered to be a “Father of Modern Medicine”, stated that he believed that the cannabis plant could effectively treat migraines. 

And in 1940, Dr. Roger Adams and his team at the University of Illinois discovered the miracle potion – CBD. But the criminalization of marijuana in the US in 1969 halted the research work on the plant and its medicinal uses. 

Anyway, the good news is that some countries around the world and some states in the US are on the verge of decriminalizing its use, owing to the medicinal benefits of cannabis that have recently been discovered through various research. 

And after a lot of focus on THC, attention was finally paid to CBD – something that doesn’t get you high and yet makes you feel better. 

How Does CBD Work In Our Body?

The marijuana or the hemp plant are the sources of deriving cannabis. According to research, three types of biomolecules are present in cannabis: terpenoids, flavonoids, and many types of cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are active chemical compounds found in cannabis plants. 

Cannabinoids derived from plants like hemp are Phytocannabinoids. It can interact with our body’s natural systems and bring about a healing effect. Cannabinoids that are synthesized on demand by the human body are endocannabinoids. 

Both phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids influence the cannabinoid receptors in the body to maintain a balance. There are over 100 phytocannabinoids present in cannabis plants. 

But the two that are most abundant are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). And while THC does not have many therapeutic properties, some research shows that CBD has anti-inflammatory, analgesics, and soothing properties. 

It has also been noticed that THC induce adverse psychoactivity if the dosage is too high, whereas CBD can reduce the psychoactivity caused by THC. CBD works by not interacting directly with the ECS (Endogenous cannabinoid system) and establishing a minimal binding affinity to CB1R (CNS-cannabinoid receptor) or CB2R (peripheral cannabinoid receptor). 

However, it does influence some endocannabinoid molecular signaling systems, ion channels, and receptors. 

The body metabolizes CBD through hydroxylation to form acidic metabolites. This ensures that CBD can be administered in high doses without any side effects.

So, while CBD and THC are both phytocannabinoids, there exist a few major differences between the two. Here’s a list.

  • THC is the phytocannabinoid that can cause a high. But CBD does not have any euphoric side effects. It is also free of side-effects and thus, suitable for people of all ages.
  • THC binds with the brain’s receptors (CB1 receptors). But CBD does not bind directly to any receptors in the body.
  • CBD does not have any side-effects, even when administered in large doses. But THC has temporary side effects, like increased heart rate, red eyes, memory loss, etc.

Both CBD and THC are effective in treating various medical conditions. But many prefer CBD over THC because it does not give you a high and is free of side effects as well.

Can you Build Tolerance On CBD?

Many drugs can often become dangerous over time because the body builds a tolerance to them. 

But no, that is not the case with CBD. 

You must be wondering why…well, we are here to answer this question. 

Well, before we discuss CBD tolerance, let us understand why tolerance happens. 

Tolerance happens because of the brain and the liver – the brain receptors that are involved decrease and so does their ability to bind efficiently. And the liver has to work harder to metabolize that particular substance each time it is consumed. 

But CBD does not bind directly to any of the receptors in the body, and so, the users do not build any tolerance. 

CBD is known to have reverse tolerance effects – which means that over time, you might feel like you need smaller doses of CBD, but still receive the same benefits. 

Addiction and Overdose

The little study that has been conducted on CBD states that it is not toxic and has very little to no side effects. 

So, CBD is completely safe to use. 

A recent report of the National Cancer Institute states that it is impossible to overdose on CBD. The report states, “Because cannabinoid receptors, unlike opioid receptors, are not located in the brainstem areas controlling respiration, lethal overdoses from Cannabis and cannabinoids do not occur.” 

Also, to date, there have been no known reports of death caused by an overdose of CBD products. 

The National Cancer Institute report also states that CBD products are also way less addictive than many other drugs, including prescribed ones available in the market today. 

However, it is recommended that you take only the amount prescribed in the CBD bottle. 

Does This Mean CBD Is Safe?

Feedback from CBD users and studies show that CBD is non-toxic and safe to use. It does not have any mind-altering effects and also does not have the serious side-effects of THC and other drugs. 

Perhaps that is the reason why the FDA has approved two pills made with Cannabinoids that are used to treat seizures and for nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. 

However, taking too much CBD than required can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth, and various other symptoms, which might not be life-threatening but can cause temporary discomfort. 

It is also important to buy original CBD products from reliable brands that provide third-party test results, the ingredients used, and their manufacturing process details.

Always select organic CBD products that are free of additives, pesticides, synthetic components, and other harmful ingredients. 

This way you will not only be able to reap the benefits of CBD but also know that your product is absolutely safe for consumption.

"You can be high in life without actually being physically high," says CBD and marketing expert Sarah Remesch

After graduating from The New School with a masters in Media Management, Sarah Remesch founded a marketing agency called 270M that specializes in creative services, social media strategy, and branding for both luxury and cannabis based businesses, writes Emily Berkey. Though she works in the cannabis space and has a front row seat to the multitude of ever-changing products on the market, Sarah found herself frustrated by her inability to find a CBD product she felt comfortable using, so she set out to create one herself — New Highs CBD

On a mission to make a wellness-focused product, Remesch focused on sourcing high-quality oils — no herbicides, pesticides, added scents or flavoring. Remesch sourced her full-spectrum CBD oil (which means it contains all of the cannabinoids of the hemp plant, not just CBD) from Oregon, a state with stringent hemp standards and regulation policies surrounding extract and oil purity. And so, from her home in New York City, Remesch created her dream CBD product to help quell anxiety, promote relaxation, and fill a void she found on the market.  Now, not only does Sarah use her product, but her parents are utilizing it, too. 

We met up with Remesch during one of her recent visits to Los Angeles and discussed the birth of New Highs CBD through a marketing lens, what advice she has for entrepreneurs wanting to create their own cannabis-based product, what actions she’s taking at her companies to diversify the cannabis space, and how she and her marketing firm navigate the ever-changing legal climate surrounding marijuana from a city, like New York, where adult use cannabis is not yet legal. 

08 New Highs CBD 008

You have a degree in marketing from the New School and you own a boutique marketing agency. At what point did you decide to hop into the hemp industry and what did that look like for you?

So cannabis actually happened first. Four or five years ago, I spoke with Women Grow NYC on social media marketing in the cannabis space… The next month I was like, "Let’s create a product, a hemp product." I wanted to create something I hadn’t seen in the market. There’s nothing [harmful] in our products — no herbicides, pesticides, or anything that’s an additive.  

What is marketing in the cannabis space like, and what were some obstacles you faced when you first entered this industry?

Marketing cannabis is wild — just like cannabis regulation and everything else. We never know if what we’re gonna do is gonna fly, if it’s gonna pass [our] legal [team] — that’s always a barrier. But it’s also really fun because we get to create these stories and branded experiences that aren’t your normal advertising campaigns. You get to think out of the box. You come up with different groups of people who are in different walks of their life, and then you create these campaigns around how they’re using these products instead of just, “Here it is, buy it, sell it.” 

How were you able to launch a marketing agency?

I worked towards becoming an industry expert with a strong expertise in social media and starting pitching brands with an array of agency offerings. I then continued to develop offerings after learning in-house at some of the top-tier agencies globally… A mix of my background in communications, psychology, and media allows me to understand the communication style of consumers in order to develop marketing plans on behalf of brands helping them reach internal goals.

Why did you mix cannabis and luxury in one marketing agency?

Cannabis is another category and does not need to be separated. Good ideas don’t have a certain product they are tied to and they can be fluid along with methodologies. I wanted to work with all types of brands and products, not to narrowly make the shop only for a certain type of client.

Where are you selling your CBD products in NYC, which has a complex relationship with cannabidiol currently?

We are currently selling in Come Back Daily and Mamacha. We develop relationships with certain retailers in New York who understand the sales complexities and are educating consumers in the same fashion as New Highs. Outside of NYC, at Raba Marfa. Plus, online.

When you run a boutique marketing agency, do you have legal counsel that you need to run your campaigns by? Is that what’s different between cannabis space marketing and other marketing?

We have counsel that advises us on regulation to make sure we’re up with it. But all the clients’ teams have in-house legal. We make sure that we’re always in communication with them or that our clients are in communication with them so that what we’re posting and managing on their behalf is all good and you don’t have any worries once it hits the internet. But as far as keeping up on it, we have some legal counsel that just makes sure we’re minding our p’s and q’s.

Smart.

You have to. We wanna play on the safe side. We’re in New York.

What was your motivation to make New Highs? What do you personally use it for?

I live in New York, which is a very hectic and stressful place… I think that everyone who lives there is a little anxious. I definitely am not one to say, “I wanna medicate myself!” But when I tried hemp seed oil last year, I saw what all of the hype was about and I was like, “I wanna make it.” For sure. I take only three drops of the 700mg oil in the morning. ...It just lets me breathe and wake up. I add it to my routine like anything else you’d take- — like a probiotic, vitamin C, or multivitamin. 

New Highs. What’s the name about?

So actually, at Viride, which is our online publication, our tagline was always, “We strive to reach new highs.” We spun it off of that and we realized that you can be high in life without actually being physically high. The idea is that if this formula can help you be calm throughout the day — maybe help you get work done or help if you’re dealing with a stressful family situation or help you feel [less anxious in social situations]. 

What are you doing at your marketing company, 270M, if anything, to make the demographic of your company culture more reflective of the consumer?

That’s a great question and I get it all the time. Every time I speak, it’s, “What do you do to diversify cannabis?”

It’s so important. I’m glad that other people are asking that too.

Especially in New York we talk about it all the time. So for us, we’re making sure that our team is always a wide range [of people], even our freelancers. That could be, maybe we have a freelance photographer who is African American and we have a product that maybe sitting at the table [with] a bunch of older white men, right? We can integrate that [point of view] into the creative we’re making and that’s going to be reflective in the campaigns that we’re shooting and producing for that client. I also have the ear of a lot of those senior level executives and dropping those hints once in a while, someone has to do it right?

Absolutely.

It’s easy to live in your own box especially when it’s your own product. But if someone just gently reminds you that, “Hey, let’s diversify the talent in this production.” It does ring a bell. It’s gonna be a slow process. Our team is also mainly women. They’re younger. They’ve worked both in and out of the cannabis space. Some of them have never worked in the cannabis space, but they’re interested in it. I think it’s also good to bring those outside ideas into cannabis, as opposed to people that have been diehards the whole time.

I’m sure having people who are new to the cannabis space on your team is an advantage.

I also thought about that! With both of my parents, I was like, how are they gonna react? They think it’s the greatest thing ever. 

Do they use your products?

Yes. I was shocked by that, too. The older generations that we can influence, they are gonna use it. A lot of them are closeted and are using it. They just don’t want to tell the neighbor down the street, but the neighbor down the street is probably using [cannabis or CBD], as well. 

How do you plan on building your brand’s name and reputation specifically on the East Coast — how do you advertise?

New Highs is partnering with organizations, retailers, and individuals who are all continually striving to normalize the conversation around cannabis and hemp with roots on the East Coast. For example, we’re producing a launch event called Full Spectrum which explores how CBD is incorporated and explored with all five senses. For this, New Highs has partnered with Humble Bloom. We are all using an owned and earned media mix currently and intend on exploring paid media to further amplify our reach.

What advice do you have for newcomers in the cannabis space who want to create a product? What advice do you have for them in regards to marketing?

I think it’s best to network and learn as much as you can before you decide to go jump into anything, especially in an industry that’s constantly changing. There are most likely people in your community who are in groups, and there are talks you can go to, to see if you really like what you’re about to get into. Learn a little bit about what’s in the market and then ask yourself, “Is there a skill that I have that I can take into cannabis and join what’s going on?”

Cannabis: While the US waits, the world opens up

Cannabis legalization is spreading its roots globally. Uruguay was the first country to fully legalize recreational cannabis in 2013. Canada became the second country to legalize marijuana in 2018. Many other countries have followed suit. However, the legality of medical and recreational cannabis varies for different countries. The US still hasn’t made a decision about cannabis legalization.

 

Thailand promotes medical marijuana products

Last year, Thailand became the first southeast nation to legalize medical cannabis. Thailand is ready to advance its medical marijuana market. According to a Forbes article this week, Thailand removed low-level cannabis and hemp extracts from its list of banned narcotic substances.

As part of the new development plan, Thailand will allow CBD extracts with less than 0.2% THC. Thailand plans to include CBD extracts to make medicine, cosmetics, and food. The country plans to grow its agricultural income through hemp.

Thailand’s medical cannabis market is gaining popularity. On Tuesday, Reuters reported that Southeast Asia’s venture capital firm Expara plans to raise $30 million by December to invest in cannabis-related technology.

Canada on track to lead in the cannabis industry

Canada legalized cannabis in 2018. Now, the country is set for “Cannabis 2.0” next month, which is the legalization of cannabis-infused edibles for recreational use. Stay with us to learn more.

Canada leads the cannabis industry. The country introduced the four major marijuana players that dominate the industry. Canopy Growth (CGC) (WEED) is the largest marijuana company. Constellation Brands (STZ) invested in the company. Canopy Growth generated a 94% increase in recreational dried cannabis sales in the first quarter of 2020. The company also saw a 209% YoY increase in international medical cannabis revenues. Canopy Growth plans to launch new products after Cannabis 2.0 with Martha Stewart. The stock has gained 12% in September.

Aurora Cannabis (ACB) has a strong international presence. The company generated strong revenue growth in the third quarter. Canadian consumer and medical sales rose 37% and 8%, while international sales rose 40%. The company expects to generate net revenues of 100 million Canadian dollars and 107 million Canadian dollars. The company is scheduled to report its fourth-quarter results on September 12. Aurora Cannabis has risen 6.5% in September.

Aphria (APHA), a new entry in the marijuana market, focuses more on medical cannabis. The company did well in the recent quarter. Aphria’s revenues for adult-use marijuana rose 158% YoY. The company also reported a positive EBITDA of 0.209 million Canadian dollars. The stock has risen 9.4% in September.

With Canada hitting the second wave of legalization, the companies are expanding their edible business. The FDA still challenges the use of CBD-based products in the US. The FDA could hinder some of the companies if they plan to launch their products in the US.

What is Mexico’s stance on cannabis?

While Mexico decriminalized the possession of a small amount of marijuana in 2009, it hasn’t fully legalized marijuana. However, the country legalized medicinal marijuana with a THC content of less than 1% in 2017. Mexico could benefit from New Mexico’s medical marijuana program, which focuses on out-of-state patients. Last week, the Boston Globe reported that a new ruling passed in New Mexico allows out-of-state patients to access the program.

Previously, I discussed that Texas has strict marijuana laws. Recreational marijuana is illegal. However, Texas legalized medical marijuana in 2015.

The THC content allowed in medical marijuana is pretty low in Texas. The state only allows less than 0.5% THC with a doctor’s approval. Also, less than 0.3% THC marijuana is allowed without a doctor’s approval. The program could help patients from neighboring states and Mexico. Mexico’s economy could benefit from cannabis legalization since it generates higher tax revenues and employment growth.

New Zealand’s 2020 referendum

The fate of recreational cannabis legalization in New Zealand depends on the referendum next year during its general elections. Recreational marijuana is still illegal in the country. New Zealand considers cannabis to be an illegal drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act of 1975. New Zealanders have an opportunity to vote for cannabis legalization. In order to make the case stronger, a Guardian article stated that the Helen Clark Foundation published a report. Specifically, the report presents a case favoring cannabis legalization.

What about other countries?

The cannabis plant has two components—CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is the psychoactive component that’s responsible for the “high.”

CBD’s benefits are widely known. A Harvard Health Blog in January discussed how CBD helps relieve insomnia, stress, anxiety, and spasticity. CBD also helps treat epilepsy. Medical marijuana is legal in many countries due to its various health benefits. Notably, medical marijuana is legal in Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Peru, Poland, and Portugal.

Based on a team of marijuana experts, a Vice article mentioned a few countries that might be next to fully legalize cannabis. The report predicts that Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Thailand, the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Chile will legalize marijuana soon.

Luxembourg also plans to legalize cannabis. Recently, the country’s health minister confirmed the plan. Luxembourg already legalized medicinal cannabis. Possession for recreational use is decriminalized for a small amount.

Where’s the US heading with cannabis legalization?

Currently, medical marijuana is legal in 33 states in the US. In contrast, recreational marijuana is legal in ten states and Washington DC. Marijuana isn’t legal at the federal level. Cannabis is gaining popularity among Americans. A Gallup showed that 86% of Americans support legalizing marijuana due to its health benefits.

Previously, I discussed how marijuana’s popularity and benefits pushed presidential election candidates to support legalization.

Also, I discussed that since cannabis is recession-proof, it can help boost US economic growth. We should also consider how the agriculture industry could benefit from cannabis legalization.

Two drug officials at the White House want more research at the state level to learn about marijuana’s pros and cons before it reaches the federal level. President Trump reiterated his administration’s decision to leave marijuana at the state level. Celebrities endorse making cannabis mainstream. Legalizing marijuana at the federal level could keep illicit and black market deals in check, which would ultimately boost tax revenues. There are a few disadvantages due to certain headwinds.

Considering that other countries are legalizing marijuana, will the US follow suit? Can all of these efforts push the US to step up and legalize cannabis?

Stay with us for the latest updates.

2 marijuana stocks to watch in Q3

The marijuana stock market has grown substantially in the past few years. In the past few months, however, we have seen some instability overall. This volatility is something that some investors look for as it gives two potential benefits. For one, it offers a chance to potentially buy a company at bare bottom prices. The other opportunity comes as it allows for greater potential gains. It is important to keep in mind that there is a greater potential for losses as well with this heightened volatility.

Regardless, these marijuana stocks to watch are creating big waves in the ever-shifting cannabis market. With so much competition, it seems as though doing the proper research into a company is the best first step. With all of the knowledge in hand, one can make an accurate assessment about a given pot stock to watch. All in all, cannabis stocks continue to show large projections for the coming years.

A Diversified Marijuana Stock to Watch

AgraFlora Organics (AGRA Stock Report) (AGFAF Stock Report) is a growth-oriented and diversified company working out of both the international and domestic cannabis market in Canada. The company has stated that they are a joint venture partner with Propagation Service Canada for a very large 2.2 million square foot facility. In addition to this, they have their own indoor cultivation operation currently underway in London, ON.

With this, they have been able to grow large quantities of cannabis which has helped to make them a key player in the marijuana stock market. The pot stock has continuously illustrated its potential for building up shareholder value. In addition to this, AgraFlora Organics is pursuing as many opportunities in the cannabis industry as they can. For this reason, they remain a key pot stock to watch.

A Big Announcement For AgraFlora Organics

The company recently announced that they have entered into a non-binding letter of intent for the commercialization of CBD products. The agreement stands with one of the largest Canadian food retailers in the nation. This adds a layer of brick and mortar stores to AgraFlora’s reach which is a big step in the right direction.

The letter states that the former will supply the retailer with a wide variety of CBD-based products. The non-binding Letter of Intent should help the pair to move further into providing the Canadian public with proper high-quality cannabis and CBD-infused products.

A REIT Pot Stock to Consider

Innovative Industrial Properties (IIPR Stock Report) is a company that has managed to have quite a huge uptrend with the exception of the past few weeks. The company has seen some large selloffs over the course of the last week or so which has led to low prices for the profitable company.

This presents an interesting opportunity as Innovative Industrial Properties has one of the highest rates of profitability in the pot stock market. Despite this, the company has lost a large portion of its value in a short period of time. This, however, could be viewed as an opportunity as the prices seem to be lower despite future projections moving up.