The TechMediaWire Podcast

COVID-19 has devastated most businesses but created a surge in cannabis sales—a trend that’s likely to continue.

Strange bedfellows, COVID-19 and cannabis. As the pandemic wreaked havoc on the U.S. and global economies, cannabis sales rocketed higher across multiple markets in North America. California cannabis sales soared nearly 160% compared to the same day in March 2019, while sales in Washington rocketed 100% and Colorado saw a 46% increase on the same day. This surge doesn’t appear to be a flash in the pan either. An emerging leader in the U.S. cannabis marketplace, Cannabis Strategic Ventures (OTCQB: NUGS) (NUGS Profile), is now on pace for over $2.7 million in quarterly sales and approximately $11 million in annualized sales, based on its strong performance in April and May. Simultaneously, the company increased its harvest size by as much as 2.5x and is now selling product at an 11% premium to industry standard. Like any industry, the real winners in the cannabis markets are tied to sales and earnings growth. Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) has continued to release new products for a variety of markets while attracting significant investment from the beverage sector. Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) has continued to work on expanding its international reach. With a similar focus on growth, Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) has acquired another company to expand its reach from Canada into markets in the United States. Organigram Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: OGI), whose business was initially disrupted by COVID-19, has begun a phased return to work and almost immediately announced the release of new products, making the most of continuing consumer demand.