Cannabis facts

Stocks from the cannabis sector have been among the most promising but also the most volatile asset classes in recent years.

At present, many positive market assumptions and fantasies about the future are certainly priced into the heavily inflated stock prices. As a result, volatility will remain very high over the next few years. Like other speculative asset classes, cannabis investments are not suitable for risk-averse investors, but only for experienced investors. Possible total losses must be taken into consideration. With sufficient diversification of risk capital across multiple securities, cluster risk can be reduced at the same time.

At the same time, risks are faced with great profit opportunities. It is to be expected that a (large) number of the current companies might not survive the next few years, but a close study and investment in promising companies will pay off big for early investors in the still-young sector. We are only at the beginning of a big boom market with strong growth phases.

For example, American market research firm Arcviewgroup forecasts annual average growth of 27.5% over the next three years!

An important role in this expected boom is driven by cannabis related pharmaceutical application (medical marijuana), which can now be legally prescribed in most industrialized countries. But far more growth potential lies in the legalization of the private cannabis consumption. This is legally possible in some countries (for example, since October 17, 2018 in Canada) and in ten US states. Market observers assume that in the next few years more countries will release the entire cannabis consumption. According to research by Arcview, $ 9.5 billion was already spent on legal cannabis products in 2017.

We have compiled a small overview of five major stock companies from the cannabis sector:

Company

 

Stock price as of 02.01.2017
Stock price as of 13.03.2019
Percentage change in %
Market cap as of 13.03.2019
Canopy Growth Corporation9,39 CAD61,37 CAD+55421,093 Mrd. CAD
Aurora Cannabis Inc.2,38 CAD12,02 CAD+40512,140 Mrd. CAD
Cronos Group Inc.1,55 USD21,14 USD+1.2643,778 Mrd. USD
GW Pharmaceuticals PLC112,38 USD169,33 USD+515,178 Mrd. USD
OrganiGram Holdings Inc.2,74 CAD8,93 CAD+2261,259 Mrd. CAD
Data sources: Yahoo Finance, alle datas without guarantee

Hemp is not just hemp - Here are some short background informations

The word ‘cannabis’ is the botanical generic name or the Latin word for hemp. The use of hemp fibers can be traced back many millennia into human history. The oldest finds come from China around 2800 BC. Chr., Where ropes were made of hemp fibers. The industrial hemp, which grows several meters high, is one of the earliest known crops on earth and was also used in ancient times for the production of paper, ropes, edible oils and textiles. Hemp fibers have a substantially higher resistance to moisture, a high strength and superior in their properties to flax or cotton. The cultivation of hemp is also ecologically more advantageous than cotton. It is estimated that about 30% of the world’s consumption of pesticides is used in cotton growing. Today, hemp is mainly used in natural insulation materials and hemp textiles. For the production of medicinal cannabis and intoxicants, cannabis sativa or Indian hemp (cannabis indica) is used.

Medical Cannabis

The unfertilized female inflorescences of the hemp Cannabis sativa or the Indian hemp (Cannabis indica) is used for the production of cannabinoids. To date, a total of 104 cannabinoids have been detected in the Cannabis sativa variety. In pharmacology, the two most famous cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are used. THC is known for its psychoactive (intoxicating) effect. Particularly rich in THC are the unfertilized female inflorescences, these contain about 6 to 20% THC. Cannabidiol, on the other hand, is considered to be very weakly psychoactive and, in addition to its own therapeutic effects, has a modulating effect on THC.

The mechanism of action of THC has not yet been fully elucidated, but worldwide research on the cannabis plant has been on the rise for years, and there is still a great deal of potential for surprising new uses for many diseases. It is currently known that e.g. THC acts on at least two types of receptors (CB1 and CB2).

CB1 receptors are predominantly located in central and peripheral nerve cells, where they modulate the release of neurotransmitters. But they also occur in other cells, for example in the pituitary, immune cells, gastrointestinal tissue, heart, lungs, bladder and adrenal glands. CB2 receptors are mainly found in immune cells and are involved in cytokine secretion (proteins).

THC helps to relieve pain, increase appetite, relax muscles and inhibit nausea.

CBD is anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic and inhibits nausea. It should also sometimes help in improving sleep.

 

Below you see an excerpt of diseases and symptoms of where the use of medical cannabis may possibly help:

  • Epilepsy
  • Pain treatment (relief of neuropathic and inflammatory pain)
  • Tourette syndrome
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis (in spasms)
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Anxiety disorders / depression
  • Polyarthritis
  • Glaucomas (reduction of intraocular pressure)

There have also been good experiences with cannabis in treating cancer (cannabis had shown in first clinical studies a positive effect in brain tumors thrinking and cannabis generally helps relieve common nausea during chemotherapy).

THC and CBD are said to induce programmed cell death (apoptotic and necrotic).

You find a large list of clinical trials and case reports at the following website: Link

 

There have also been good experiences with cannabis in cancer (has a positive effect in brain tumors and helps relieve common nausea during chemotherapy). THC and CBD are said to induce programmed cell death (apoptotic and necrotic). For a large list of clinical trials and case reports, visit the following website: Link

Recreational Cannabis consumption

This includes not only the cannabis for intoxication but also the possibility of using CBD as a valuable incredient in countless other products: Edibles , food supplements, cosmetics, skincare, oils and tobacco.

 

  • Oils
  • Edibles /  Food supplements

    e.g. Chocolate, Wine, Flavoured Health Drinks, Discrete Beverage Additives, Pet Treats and Treatments, Candies / sweets but also in the form of CBD e-liquids (e-cigarettes and vape with or without nicotine).

  • Cosmetics / Skincare

    e.g. Female Sanitation Products, Beauty Creams Topicals, Sensual Products, Natural Deodorants, Skin and Lip Care and Massage and Bath Products.

  • Intoxicants (THC – olny in states / countries which fully legalized the use of recreational cannabis!)

The first big consumer staples companies started 2018 investing in cannabis producers.

US beverage giant Constellation Brands invested C$ 5 billion into Canopy Growth Corporation in August 2018. And in December 2018, the large tobacco company Altria (the product portfolio includes, among others, the tobacco brand Malboro) followed with a $ 1.8 billion investment in the cannabis company Cronos Group. These were the first major investment in cannabis companies.

We expect more activities in the coming months – e.g. Joint ventures or equity investments that could then boost the entire sector again!