Latin America’s medical cannabis market may be a perfect fit for agriculture technology like precision irrigation.
Latin America is one of the world’s most important agricultural hubs, which has created a major market for agriculture technology, including precision agricultural systems. Innovations in this sector include technologies that encompass every aspect of the crop production cycle, including irrigation. Latin America is quickly becoming a central market for a new agricultural sector — medical cannabis. By 2028, the region’s medical cannabis market is expected to reach US$8.5 billion. Because cannabis is a water-intensive crop, Latin America’s medical cannabis industry represents a potentially lucrative market for tech companies capable of delivering innovative agricultural solutions.
Agriculture technology heating up Latin America
Latin America’s tropical and temperate climates make it one of the most ideal regions in the world for growing a wide range of agricultural products. In fact, agriculture is one of the most important sectors in most Latin American economies. As a whole, these countries are responsible for about 16 percent of global food exports, supplying more than 45 percent of the world’s coffee, 60 percent of the world’s bananas, 30 percent of corn, 50 percent of sugar and 50 percent of soybeans.
The region is considered to be a leader in the adoption of agribusiness technology, according to Ciro Echesortu, agriculture technology program director at NXTP Labs, a tech startup accelerator for Latin America’s agribusiness technology industry. Latin America’s agricultural sector has benefited in recent years from advances in precision irrigation technology, which has contributed substantially to increased productivity. The global precision agriculture market is projected to grow from US$4.84 billion in 2018 to US$10.16 billion by 2024. According to a recent report by Global Market Insights, the precision agriculture market in Latin America is expected to experience a growth rate of 18 percent between now and 2025, mostly due to increasing demand for real-time data and analytics to improve productivity.
Latin America’s emerging medical cannabis market
Latin America’s favorable growing environment makes it well suited for not only corn and coffee, but cannabis as well. The region is home to the first country in the modern era to fully legalize both medical and recreational cannabis. Uruguay’s 2014 legalization of cannabis touched off a movement toward more liberal cannabis policies in the region and led to the legalization of medical cannabis products in Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Paraguay and Chile.
Thanks to this wave of cannabis legalization, Latin America is quickly emerging as a cultivation hub for the global medical cannabis market. Cannabis cultivators based in Latin American can export cannabis products at a lower cost than in North America and Europe. With a total population of 620 million people, Latin America’s medical cannabis market also offers another route to global expansion for the world’s leading cannabis companies. The growth potential in this market has attracted the world’s top cannabis producers, including Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED,NYSE:CGC), which launched a Latin American division in July 2018 with an acquisition in Colombia that could be worth US$96 million in Canopy stocks.
That same month, in a deal valued at C$193 million, Aphria (TSX:APH) acquired all of Scythian Biosciences’ (TSXV:SCYB) network of cannabis businesses across Jamaica, Argentina and Colombia. More than 40 licensed medical cannabis producers are currently operating in Latin America, with the majority holding licenses in Colombia.
Colombia’s cannabis market leads the way in Latin America
In terms of global agricultural trade, Colombia is already an established leader. Colombia is the third largest coffee exporter in the world and the fourth largest banana exporter. As a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Colombia has free trade export agreements with most of its neighbors as well as countries in the EU and North America. Within Latin America, Colombia is ranked as the third easiest country in which to conduct business, according to the World Bank’s Doing Business annual report. The country also has the third highest GDP in South America.
The combination of ideal growing conditions and a relatively low cost of labor and utilities has made Colombia into one of the world’s top flower producers. Colombia’s exports of roses, carnations, orchids and other flowers total more than US$1 billion every year. The country supplies more than 70 percent of United States’ cut flower imports.
On top of its ideal growing climate, Colombia’s well-established flower industry has given the country the infrastructure and global trade experience to become a world leader in cannabis production. According to Reuters, Colombia’s medical cannabis exports could surpass the nation’s more traditional export products of coffee, bananas and flowers combined in only a few years.
Colombia is the second largest federally regulated medical cannabis market in the world by population and has the most comprehensive legal medical cannabis framework in Latin America. Under this framework, cannabis companies are allowed to simultaneously hold both cultivation and manufacturing licenses, allowing for vertical integration. Colombia also allows companies to sell and export THC-based medical cannabis extracts. It’s estimated that the nation could soon supply as much as 44 percent of global demand for medical cannabis. Beginning in 2019, Colombia is projected to produce upwards of 40.5 tons of cannabis each year.
Water-intensive cannabis crops and precision irrigation tech
Latin America’s emerging medical cannabis market is providing opportunities for growth to agriculture technology companies. This is especially relevant to those that can offer precision irrigation technology specifically tailored to warm climate cannabis cultivation.
“Cannabis is a water-intensive crop, and optimizing water input through precision irrigation systems can help maximize crop quality and yield as well as reduce costs and increase profit margins,” Ohad Haber, CEO of Israel-based Water Ways Technologies (TSXV:WWT), told Investing News Network. Water Ways has provided irrigation systems to agricultural operators in Latin America for over 15 years. The company’s Data Ways System is a precise irrigation system that collects real-time data from sensors within the crop, enabling cultivators to collect and analyze data and control the system from a mobile device.
“Data Ways reduces water waste and maintains consistency in crop health through smart management tools such as remote sensors that can monitor a variety of metrics including moisture levels, automatically collect data and make rapid irrigation adjustments to ensure all plants are optimally watered and fertilized,” said Haber.
The market for precision agriculture is expected to reach US$10.55 billion by 2025. Irrigation represents the largest submarket for precision agriculture technologies. The rising need for water conservation alongside the booming cannabis market could increase demand for precision irrigation technologies in major cannabis markets such as Latin America.
Recognizing the early entry opportunity in this emerging subsector, established agriculture technology companies are refining their products and services for the cannabis cultivation industry. Through a US$500,000 partnership with Kibbutz Gan Shmuel and Cronos Group (NASDAQ:CRON,TSX:CRON), Water Ways developed a customized cannabis irrigation, fertigation and Internet of Things control system for a 43,055 square foot greenhouse cultivation project in Israel.
The success of this project led Water Ways to leverage its experience in the Latin American agricultural market and implement its Data Ways system when planning a number of medical cannabis cultivation projects in Colombia. The company plans to build out its Latin American cannabis agriculture technology services into other neighboring markets, offering turnkey seed-to-packing project implementation and irrigation solutions to cannabis and hemp cultivators.
Takeaway
Latin America’s ideal climate for growing crops alongside a more liberal government stance on medical cannabis is attracting cannabis cultivators to the region. Latin American countries like Colombia represent an emerging market for not only the billion dollar cannabis industry but for agritech solutions as well. Those companies with proven cannabis-focused technologies that have established relationships in Latin America’s agricultural space could be well positioned to gain a foothold in precision agriculture.
This INNSpired article was written according to INN editorial standards to educate investors.
INN does not provide investment advice and the information on this profile should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. INN does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company profiled.
Aion Therapeutic’s Proprietary Mushroom Preparations Shown Effective in Killing Breast Cancer Cells
Aion Therapeutic Inc. (CSE: AION) (” Aion Therapeutic ” or the ” Company “) announced today that its proprietary and patented combinatorial mushroom preparations AION F7 and AION F8 (collectively, the ” Aion Mushroom Preparations ” or ” Preparations “) showed high efficacy in killing HER2+ breast cancer cells, ER+PR+ breast cancer cells, and triple-negative breast cancer cells by direct cytotoxicity.
As shown in recently completed third-party independent and carefully controlled 3D-spheroid cell culture studies performed at BIOENSIS laboratories, these cytotoxicity studies demonstrated direct killing of the breast cancer cells by the Aion Mushroom Preparations, which suggests such preparations may be effective in treating HER2+ breast cancer, ER+/PR+ breast cancer, and the very difficult to treat triple-negative breast cancer, with each of these types of breast cancers tested independently.
In separate independent studies at BIOENSIS laboratories using the Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay and the Antibody-Dependent Cellular Phagocytosis (ADCP) assay, the Aion Mushroom Preparations also demonstrated enhanced cell killing of HER2+ breast cancer cells via stimulation of the immune system. The Preparations showed similar effectiveness as trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody treatment sold under the brand name Herceptin, manufactured by Roche and is a US FDA approved medication useful for treating HER2+ breast cancer that is either early-stage or advanced-stage/metastatic. Herceptin (trastuzumab) is the leading breast cancer drug with annual global sales of around $7 billion . 1 Other FDA approved biosimilar trastuzumab products include: Trazimera (Pfizer), Kanjinti (Amgen), Ontruzant (Merck), Herzuma (Teva), and Ogivri (Mylan). When Aion Mushroom Preparations were combined with Trastuzumab, there was a greater than 60% increase in the killing of HER2+ breast cancer cells when compared to Trastuzumab used alone.
Based on these results, Dr. Herbert A. Fritsche , Chief Science Officer of Aion Therapeutic and former Professor and Director of Clinical Chemistry at the University of Texas , MD Anderson Cancer Center, stated, “The extremely exciting results obtained from these independent 3D cell culture studies suggests that when appropriate Aion Mushroom Preparations are used together, they may offer a dual approach to the killing of HER2+ breast cancer cells through two separate and distinct pathways (direct cytotoxicity and antibody dependent cytotoxicity). The significant improvement in cancer cell cytotoxicity that was observed when the Preparations were combined with Trastuzumab warrants immediate further investigation in breast cancer patients.” Dr. Fritsche continued, “We look forward to the next step of initiating clinical trials of the Aion Mushroom Preparations with and without Herceptin (and other trastuzumab biosimilars) for the treatment of HER2+ breast cancer patients as well as the Aion Mushroom Preparations alone in ER+/PR+ breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer patients.”
“Each year more than 1.6 million new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed globally, making it the most common cancer among women, and more than 500,000 women will die of the disease,” said Graham Simmonds , Executive Vice Chair and CEO of Aion Therapeutic. He added, “We are excited that these Aion Mushroom Preparations that have shown very encouraging initial test results will be developed to be transformative in how women are treated globally.”
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
About BIOENSIS
BIOENSIS is the solution of choice of predictive pharmacology needs led by a scientific team with more than 40 years of combined experience in preclinical pharmacology, BIOENSIS is the premiere innovator of 3D pharmacology technologies that more accurately recapitulate the microenvironment of human tissues and tumors. Their cutting-edge technology has been validated and optimized in more than 130+ cell lines and primary tissues, and their flexible technology enables assay customization and optimization for additional cell lines and organ tissues. They have a demonstrated track record of unparalleled commitment to and collaboration with customers to achieve their predictive pharmacology objectives.
About Aion Therapeutic Inc.
Aion Therapeutic Inc. through its wholly-owned subsidiary, AI Pharmaceuticals Jamaica Limited, is in the business of research and development, treatment, data mining and state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (machine learning) techniques, focused on the development of combinatorial pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals utilizing compounds from cannabis (cannabinoids), psychedelic mushrooms (psilocybin), fungi (edible mushroom), natural psychedelic formulations (Ayahuasca), and other medicinal plants in a legal environment for this type of discovery. In addition, Aion Therapeutic is creating a strong international intellectual property portfolio related to its discoveries.
DISCLAIMER & READER ADVISORY
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words “could”, “intend”, “expect”, “believe”, “will”, “may”, “projected”, “estimated” and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company’s current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the business of the Company and the commercialization and use of the Aion Mushroom Preperations. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the parties. The material factors and assumptions include regulatory and other third-party approvals; licensing and other risks. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the parties are not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.
______________________ |
1 Forbes: Can Roche’s Blockbuster Drug Herceptin’s Sales Grow? |
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Canopy Growth Signs U.S. Distribution Agreement with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits for CBD Beverage Portfolio
The Company Will Tap into Southern Glazer’s Established Distribution Network to Bring Quatreau, its CBD-Infused Sparkling Water, to U.S. Retailers
Canopy Growth Corporation (“Canopy Growth”) (TSX: WEED) (NASDAQ: CGC), a world-leading diversified cannabis, CBD and vaporization device company, today announced Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (“Southern Glazer’s”), the world’s pre-eminent distributor of beverage alcohol, as the distribution partner for its U.S. portfolio of CBD-infused beverages. This partnership announcement follows the recent launch of Quatreau Canopy’s first line of CBD-infused beverages sold in the U.S market.
“Through this groundbreaking partnership, we will leverage Southern Glazer’s established distribution network to bring our CBD beverage portfolio to retailers and consumers across the U.S. market,” said Julious Grant , Chief Commercial Officer, Canopy Growth. “The leadership team at Southern Glazer’s shares our values, priorities, and future-forward view of the category. Together, we are committed to creating an immediate strategic route to market for Canopy’s premium CBD beverages.”
Southern Glazer’s will distribute Canopy Growth’s CBD beverages, beginning with its CBD-infused sparkling water brand Quatreau™, across seven states, with additional states in the months to come. Southern Glazer’s will be selling Quatreau™ through its existing commercial infrastructure, including its industry-leading Proof ® e-commerce platform at sgproof.com . Canopy Growth is one of the first U.S. CBD beverage producers to access the nationwide network of a large-scale alcohol distributor to reach consumers across the U.S. at mainstream retail stores. The agreement also showcases the benefits of the company’s strategic relationship with Constellation Brands, the global beverage leader.
“This agreement reinforces our consumer-focused approach to identifying emerging growth areas where we can add value for our customers,” said David Chaplin , Chief Growth Officer, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “There is strong consumer interest in the CBD-infused beverage category and our distribution network is uniquely positioned to deliver the most efficient and effective route-to-market for CBD suppliers and retail customers. We’re proud to align with Canopy Growth, a company well-positioned to lead this product category with a portfolio of premium, highly desirable consumer brands.”
“Innovation in the beverage industry like we are seeing from Canopy Growth brings new energy to the marketplace and increases the level of consumer interest in all our products,” added John Wittig , Chief Commercial Officer, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “We are excited to be adding Quatreau as the first CBD-infused beverage in our portfolio.”
Quatreau sparkling water contains 20 mg of premium, U.S. grown hemp-based CBD, in four refreshing flavors: Cucumber + Mint, Passion Fruit + Guava, Blueberry + Acai, and Ginger + Lime. With an MSRP of $3.99 per 12-ounce can, Quatreau is a functional zero-sugar drink that delivers a natural, low calorie beverage alternative. The stateside launch follows the successful 2020 rollout of Quatreau in Canada , where it is now the top-selling ready-to-drink CBD beverage.
For more information about Canopy Growth, visit www.canopygrowth.com .
About Canopy Growth Corporation
Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED, NASDAQ:CGC) is a world-leading diversified cannabis and cannabinoid-based consumer product company, driven by a passion to improve lives, end prohibition, and strengthen communities by unleashing the full potential of cannabis. Leveraging consumer insights and innovation, we offer product varieties in high quality dried flower, oil, soft gel capsule, infused beverage, edible, and topical formats, as well as vaporizer devices by Canopy Growth and industry-leader Storz & Bickel. Our global medical brand, Spectrum Therapeutics, sells a range of full-spectrum products using its color-coded classification system and is a market leader in both Canada and Germany . Through our award-winning Tweed and Tokyo Smoke banners, we reach our adult-use consumers and have built a loyal following by focusing on top quality products and meaningful customer relationships. Canopy Growth has entered into the health and wellness consumer space in key markets including Canada , the United States , and Europe through BioSteel sports nutrition, and This Works skin and sleep solutions; and has introduced additional federally-permissible CBD products to the United States through our First & Free and Martha Stewart CBD brands. Canopy Growth has an established partnership with Fortune 500 alcohol leader Constellation Brands. For more information visit www.canopygrowth.com .
About Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s pre-eminent distributor of beverage alcohol, and proud to be a multi-generational, family-owned company. The company has operations in 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Canada . Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit www.southernglazers.com . Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SouthernGlazers .
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable U.S. and Canadian securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”), which involve certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements predict or describe our future operations, business plans, business and investment strategies and the performance of our investments. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by their use of such terms and phrases as “intend,” “goal,” “strategy,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “projections,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “seeks,” “anticipates,” “potential,” “proposed,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “likely,” “designed to,” “foreseeable future,” “believe,” “scheduled” and other similar expressions. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks, financial results, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. A discussion of some of the material factors applicable to Canopy Growth Corporation (“Canopy”) can be found under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Canopy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2020 , filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and with applicable Canadian securities regulators, as such factors may be further updated from time to time in its periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and with applicable Canadian securities regulators, which can be accessed at www.sec.gov/edgar and www.sedar.com , respectively. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this press release and in the filings. Any forward-looking statement included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release and, except as required by law, Canopy disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
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Canbud Distribution Corporation (CSE: CBDX) (FSE: CD0) (“Canbud” or the “Corporation”) announces its subsidiary Empathy Plant Co. has completed the full development of its vegan multivitamin formula exclusively for women.
Unique Vegan Women’s Multi-Vitamin with 100% Compostable Packaging
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This formula was developed to provide the market with a daily female specific multivitamin offering in 100% compostable packaging. The multivitamin will work synergistically with Empathy Plant Co’s. Green Energy and Complete Plant Protein products and will be sold as a plant-based health system. It will be available in vegetable capsules and will provide the following benefits:
1. Promotes overall health
2. Supports hormone balance
3. Supports hair, skin, and nail health
4. Supports metabolism
5. Increased energy
6. Immune function
7. Bone health
8. Eye health
9. Muscle function
10. Source of antioxidants
Canbud’s CEO, Steve Singh, comments: “We continue to add products that support our health and wellness theme. As we near commercialization I’m very excited to see our innovation pipeline strengthen and believe it will give us a great competitive advantage in a highly coveted consumer demographic.”
The time of market release will be announced at a further date once production timelines are finalized.
Follow all Empathy Plant Co. developments by entering your email at empathyplantco.com or following on Instagram.com/empathyplantco.
About Canbud Distribution Corporation
Canbud Distribution Corporation is a science and technology health and wellness company that encompasses plant based, psychedelic pharmaceutical and non-psychedelic nutraceutical, and hemp cannabinoids (CBD) verticals.
www.canbudcorp.com
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This news release is not an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, any securities of the Corporation and may not be relied upon in connection with the purchase or sale of any such security.
This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Corporation as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Forward-looking information includes information including statements with respect to the future exploration performance of the Corporation. Forward-looking information is based on, among other things, opinions, assumptions, estimates and analyses that, while considered reasonable by the Corporation at the date the forward-looking information is provided, are inherently subject to significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies, and other factors that may cause actual results and events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. The risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information may include, but are not limited to (i) adverse market conditions; (ii) risks inherent in the CBD, psychedelics and vegan protein industries in general or (iii) risks generally associated with the Corporation’s business, as described in the Corporation’s public filings on SEDAR, which readers are encouraged to review in detail prior to any transaction involving the securities of the Corporation. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. Except as required by law, the Corporation does not intend to update these forward-looking statements. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date.
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Click here to read the previous cannabis market update.
During the first few months of investment time in 2021, cannabis faced some volatility alongside optimism about federal changes in the most important market for the drug.
The cannabis business found its stride during Q1 thanks to policy change signals and consolidation.
To find out more, the Investing News Network (INN) asked experts about progress in the market during the first major period of the new year, and which developments investors should watch out for.
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Cannabis market update: New York and US potential boost operations
New York state’s legalization of recreational cannabis was a huge Q1 announcement that added pressure to the US federal government when it comes to cannabis policy, said George Mancheril, co-founder and CEO of Bespoke Financial, a debt financing business with a particular focus on servicing cannabis businesses.
“It’s going to add to the chorus of voices in the federal scene to basically move sooner rather than later,” he explained to INN.
Following the US election in 2020, the momentum for cannabis businesses went on the upswing, as did company valuations, with the idea of expansion at the heart of it all, according to Mancheril.
Before starting Bespoke Financial, Mancheril learned from traditional investment banks, working in the lending, fixed income and debt markets with Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) and Guggenheim Partners.
Nawan Butt, portfolio manager with Purpose Investments, agrees with Mancheril. The financial expert told INN the ongoing legalization process seen in the US market is leading to expansion.
“It’s becoming more of a national move, then small pockets of proliferation. That’s very exciting about cannabis right now,” said Butt, who co-manages the Purpose Marijuana Opportunities Fund (NEO:MJJ).
This proliferation effect is causing a change in valuations and enthusiasm for US-based operations. Mancheril told INN that by the end of Q1, multi-state operators (MSOs) had raised approximately US$3.3 billion.
The cannabis lender said he sees the industry as having grown from the woes of 2019; it is now undergoing a return to form as excitement about the US opening up increases.
The expert explained that there is likely to be a windfall of capital in the wake of major federal changes in US cannabis policy, although the timeline for these changes is becoming increasingly hard to predict.
Leading up to that capital influx, Mancheril said he wants to see operators really drill down on the value of desired assets and whether they make sense.
“What I’d hope is that we continue to see bullish sentiment, but with some measure of responsibility, and let’s not just get over ahead of ourselves,” Mancheril told INN. “The idea is let’s minimize the volatility and continue growing responsibly.”
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As far as struggles go, Butt explained that the cannabis industry has cemented itself as a growth-type sector, and as such there are macro pressures affecting the way these assets operate.
“We’ve seen this preference for cash flows at growth in the current or in the near future, rather than in the far future, and that’s what we’re seeing as far as valuations go in the broad market,” Butt said.
Cannabis market update: Volatility continues to rule as industry foundations build
Despite the industry’s potential and the growing pains it has gone through as a whole in both the US and Canada, volatility remains a key factor in the cannabis investment scene.
Butt explained that the current shareholder base, which is dominated by hedge funds and retail investors, still lacks enough institutional support to avoid the day-to-day volatility cannabis has come to be known for.
These two investor groups, Butt said, can be easily spooked and excited by the news of the day when it comes to their investments.
“A lot of these institutions’ strategies are not about short-term profits, but they’re about long-term sustainability of the businesses themselves,” Butt said.
“That’s why you see a lot of volatility in the space, and that’s essentially what we’ve seen over the past, I’d say, three to two months as well,” he added.
That means investors shouldn’t expect an end to volatility anytime soon.
“It’s not about whether we continue to expect volatility, because we do,” Butt said. “We really think that the volatility will be taken out when the shareholder base becomes more institutional, but it’s really about understanding why there is volatility in the first place.”
Cannabis market update: Canadians talk up US business, but questions remain
A surge of mergers and acquisitions has taken over the Canadian cannabis sector recently as more producers see potential in America.
One of the biggest announcements in this regard came when Organigram Holdings (NASDAQ:OGI,TSX:OGI) secured a C$221 million investment deal from British American Tobacco (NYSE:BTI,LSE:BATS).
Using the funds, the two will work in tandem to develop new branded products designed for the international stage, including in the US. Organigram CEO Greg Engel previously told INN that the US represents a critical opportunity for Canadian companies, but the entry point isn’t as clean as it could be.
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While the long-term potential may be exciting for investors, Butt told INN he’s still unsure how the approach will work for Canadian companies.
The Purpose Investments expert said there will be plenty of space for the biggest Canadian names to pursue US market entries, beyond the initial hemp-derived CBD moves some operators have mde, since the US represents the biggest market in the world.
“But there’s just way too many unknowns right now to say exactly what that participation is going to look like, or when that participation will happen,” he said.
“What we do know is that currently the US MSOs are in a wonderful sort of position to expand on their market leadership that they have. And it will be tough for Canadians to come in and compete with them,” Butt said.
Canadian players still retain the upper hand at times in terms of valuation, which is confusing for both Butt and Dan Ahrens, chief operating officer and portfolio manager at AdvisorShares.
“The performance in quarterly earnings of US companies has been rather spectacular. They’ve knocked it out of the park in most instances,” Ahrens told INN.
Butt praised the recent performance reports from MSOs across the board, pointing to year-over-year growth lines and projections for continued positive performance. In his view, share prices still don’t reflect company value. “Those are really being discounted at this point,” Butt told INN.
“We’ve seen the Canadian licensed producers be really hot stock performance-wise, outpacing the US (MSOs), and I’ll say it’s rather nonsensical to me,” said Ahrens, who oversees the AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF (ARCA:YOLO) and the recently launched AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF (ARCA:MSOS).
Cannabis market update: Investor takeaway
The cannabis investment proposition finds itself at an interesting moment in time, as the entire sector eagerly awaits confirmation in the US at the federal level.
While for the Canadian companies waiting on the sidelines, this development may feel like a major necessity to address current financial struggles, for US-based operators, the heat around the corner could represent future positivity for already thriving operations.
INNdepth
Want more details? Check out these articles for more INNdepth coverage:
- Cannabis Investment: Canadian Cannabis Stocks
- Invest in Cannabis: TSX Cannabis Stocks
- Cannabis Companies: Stocks on the TSXV
- CSE Marijuana Stocks
Want an overview of investing in cannabis stocks? Check out Investing in the Cannabis Industry.
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. Announces Release Date, Conference Call and Webcast for the First Quarter of 2021
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (“Trulieve” or the “Company”) (CSE: TRUL) (OTC: TCNNF), a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the United States will release its first quarter 2021 financial results on Thursday, May 13, 2021 before markets open. Following the earnings release, management will host a conference call at 8:30 AM Eastern Time to review the financial results.
All interested parties can join the conference call by dialing 1-888-231-8191 or 1-647-427-7450, conference ID: 4880609. Please dial in 15 minutes prior to the call to secure a line. The conference call will be archived for replay until May 20, 2021 . To access the archived conference call, please dial 1-855-859-2056 and enter the encore code 4880609.
A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available at: https://produceredition.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1456168&tp_key=12329b312c
Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required to join the webcast. An archived replay of the webcast will be available for 90 days by clicking the link above.
About Trulieve
Trulieve is primarily a vertically integrated “seed-to-sale” company in the U.S. and is the first and largest fully licensed medical cannabis company in the State of Florida . Trulieve cultivates and produces all of its products in-house and distributes those products to Trulieve-branded dispensaries throughout the State of Florida , as well as directly to patients via home delivery. Trulieve is also a licensed operator in California , Massachusetts , Connecticut , Pennsylvania , and West Virginia . Trulieve is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol TCNNF.
To learn more about Trulieve, visit www.Trulieve.com .
The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release.
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SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp.
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