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When Democrats took control of Capitol Hill during the elections in November 2020, there was growing optimism that federal legalization of cannabis was in the cards for Americans. Nine months into the new administration, progress has been slow in the United States. Latin American (“LATAM”) countries, on the other hand, have moved forward with new laws ending cannabis prohibition and supporting the industry, moves to generate government revenue, cut into illicit sales and bring novel therapeutic options to people in need. Colombia, Mexico and Panama are emerging as global pioneers promoting responsible cannabis commerce, which bodes well for Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC) (Profile), a company with robust operations in Colombia. These countries are following the example set forth by Canada, which has given rise to some of the legal cannabis’ juggernauts, such as Canopy Growth Corporation (NASDAQ: CGC), Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) and Sundial Growers Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL), as other companies such as Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. (NYSE: IIPR) lend additional support to the growing market.

When Democrats took control of Capitol Hill during the elections in November 2020, there was growing optimism that federal legalization of cannabis was in the cards for Americans. Nine months into the new administration, progress has been slow in the United States. Latin American (“LATAM”) countries, on the other hand, have moved forward with new laws ending cannabis prohibition and supporting the industry, moves to generate government revenue, cut into illicit sales and bring novel therapeutic options to people in need. Colombia, Mexico and Panama are emerging as global pioneers promoting responsible cannabis commerce, which bodes well for Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC) (Profile), a company with robust operations in Colombia. These countries are following the example set forth by Canada, which has given rise to some of the legal cannabis’ juggernauts, such as Canopy Growth Corporation (NASDAQ: CGC), Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) and Sundial Growers Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL), as other companies such as Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. (NYSE: IIPR) lend additional support to the growing market.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is rampant in America. An estimated 45% of adults in the United States, or 108 million people, have hypertension, yet only about one out of every four have their condition under control. That’s a big problem considering hypertension increases risks for heart disease and stroke, which are, respectively, the no. 1 and no. 5 leading causes of death in the nation each year. To that point, the CDC names hypertension as a primary or contributing cause in nearly half a million deaths annually in the U.S. Hypertension treatment options vary tremendously from meditation to conventional drugs, with what looks to be a promising new innovation on the horizon from Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (NASDAQ: LEXX) (Profile). Lexaria is proving that its proprietary DehydraTECH(TM) technology repeatedly delivers strong therapeutic responses, without the side effects of today’s drugs. Lexaria is looking to throw its hat into the ring with majors in the market today that are making billions of dollars by treating high blood pressure and other leading causes of death, including Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE), Merck & Company Inc. (NYSE: MRK), AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ: AZN) and Moderna Inc. (NASDAQ: MRNA).

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is rampant in America. An estimated 45% of adults in the United States, or 108 million people, have hypertension, yet only about one out of every four have their condition under control. That’s a big problem considering hypertension increases risks for heart disease and stroke, which are, respectively, the no. 1 and no. 5 leading causes of death in the nation each year. To that point, the CDC names hypertension as a primary or contributing cause in nearly half a million deaths annually in the U.S. Hypertension treatment options vary tremendously from meditation to conventional drugs, with what looks to be a promising new innovation on the horizon from Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (NASDAQ: LEXX) (Profile). Lexaria is proving that its proprietary DehydraTECH(TM) technology repeatedly delivers strong therapeutic responses, without the side effects of today’s drugs. Lexaria is looking to throw its hat into the ring with majors in the market today that are making billions of dollars by treating high blood pressure and other leading causes of death, including Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE), Merck & Company Inc. (NYSE: MRK), AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ: AZN) and Moderna Inc. (NASDAQ: MRNA).

As the cannabis industry matures and is again heating up — a recent eye-popping report by Data Bridge Market Research projects that the global legal marijuana market will explode to more than $90 billion by 2027. Companies operating in the sector are looking to capitalize on opportunities the multibillion-dollar space offers. Recognizing the often submarginal quality of available product as well as high cost of development and land acquisition, Pac Roots Cannabis Corp. (CSE: PACR) utilizes state-of-the-art genetics to ensure premium-quality products. Using science and key strategic partnerships, Pac Roots intends to eliminate the quality and cost barriers to success and carve what could be profitable niche in a booming market. Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) continues expansion of its Canadian operations while Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) has officially entered the Israeli medical cannabis market with the sale of its dried flower products. Aphria Inc. (NASDAQ: APHA) has also entered the Israeli market with its recently announced supply agreement with Canndoc, and Organigram Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: OGI) has launched Trailblazer Snax, the largest cannabis-infused chocolate bar in Canada.

As the cannabis industry matures and is again heating up — a recent eye-popping report by Data Bridge Market Research projects that the global legal marijuana market will explode to more than $90 billion by 2027. Companies operating in the sector are looking to capitalize on opportunities the multibillion-dollar space offers. Recognizing the often submarginal quality of available product as well as high cost of development and land acquisition, Pac Roots Cannabis Corp. (CSE: PACR) utilizes state-of-the-art genetics to ensure premium-quality products. Using science and key strategic partnerships, Pac Roots intends to eliminate the quality and cost barriers to success and carve what could be profitable niche in a booming market. Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) continues expansion of its Canadian operations while Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) has officially entered the Israeli medical cannabis market with the sale of its dried flower products. Aphria Inc. (NASDAQ: APHA) has also entered the Israeli market with its recently announced supply agreement with Canndoc, and Organigram Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: OGI) has launched Trailblazer Snax, the largest cannabis-infused chocolate bar in Canada.

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.

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.

Cannabis Strategic Ventures (OTCQB: NUGS) is among the growing number of California cannabis companies boasting multiple cultivation, manufacturing and distribution licenses. Its wholly owned and operated flagship farm, NUGS FARM, recently completed its first harvest. Like Cannabis Strategic Ventures, Acreage Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: ACRGF) is invested up and down the supply chain, with new brands targeting markets in California and elsewhere. Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF) recently announced expansion in Pennsylvania, catering to the state’s 180,000 registered cannabis users. Halo Labs Inc. (OTCQX: AGEEF) provides vital support services to the California market, using cutting-edge technology to extract active ingredients from cannabis. Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) has financed a fresh wave of expansion through a sale-and-leaseback agreement on its existing cultivation properties.

A desire to move away from smoking may be fueling growth in the edible cannabis products.

Sproutly Canada Inc. (CSE: SPR) (OTCQB: SRUTF) (FSE: 38G) is developing new technology to manufacture cannabis edibles and to accurately measure their active ingredients. Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) (LXRP Profile) has created a bold new technology to make cannabis’ active ingredients more palatable and absorbable. BevCanna Enterprises Inc. (CSE: BEV) (OTC: BVNNF) is producing white-label products, giving other brands access to the market. HEXO Corp. (TSX: HEXO) (NYSE: HEXO) is meeting its regulatory needs by acquiring other licensed cannabis producers and processors. Valens GroWorks Corp. (TSX.V: VGW) (OTCQX: VGWCF) has created a large and growing extraction and testing facility.

Hemp may be taking the first steps to overtake tobacco as a leading industry in Kentucky.

Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) is among the companies moving into Kentucky, with a million-dollar investment in hemp growth. Hemp’s national prominence is growing through deals such as Aurora Cannabis Inc.’s (TSX: ACB) (NYSE: ACB) collaboration with United Fighting Championship (UFC). Research work by Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) may involve using hemp to treat a growing range of physical and mental ailments. Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: CURLF) (CSE: CURA) is serving states without a strong, homegrown hemp industry, such as Florida. In addition, companies across the cannabis sector, such as Cronos Group Inc. (TSX: CRON) (NASDAQ: CRON), are diversifying their product ranges as more hemp crops come online.

With a powerhouse economy worth more than $3 trillion, California’s economy ranks as the fifth largest in the world. Current legislation is expected to pave the way for the state’s hemp market to explode.

With a series of smart acquisitions and brand expansions, Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) appears to be a strong pick-and-shovel presence as California looks at passing hemp-friendly legislation. Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) just announced a new hemp-based acquisition, while Greenlane Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: GNLN) and The Green Organic Dutchman (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) (TGOD Profile) have both inked deals that strengthen their presence in the hemp industry as well. KushCo Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: KSHB), another industry supplier, just created a new sales division aimed at mass distribution, industry education and compliance, and building CBD-brand distribution networks.

While the huge increase in U.S. consumer demand from hemp extracts and hemp product is largely credited as the reason for the boom in the number of hemp acres under cultivation, there is a significant additional part of the hemp-growth story to tell.

With a pending acquisition in the cultivation supply market, Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) appears to be well poised to become a strong pick-and-shovel provider to the hemp industry. Even the large cultivators and suppliers are now getting in the hemp market. One of the first companies of the larger players to make the move into hemp cultivation was Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON), which just a few days ago announced that it would invest $300 million to enter the hemp market. Not to be outdone in the hemp gold rush, Greenlane Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: GNLN), which began trading on the NASDAQ, and The Green Organic Dutchman (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) (TGOD Profile) have both entered the fray. KushCo Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: KSHB), another industry supplier, is also seeming to benefit for the strong growth in the hemp marketplace.

The surging hemp industry means exciting benefits for Kentucky. Hemp is big business in Kentucky. Among the companies working in the state is Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD), a supplier of hydroponic equipment that is now moving into hemp through an investment in Hempistry. In New York, a leading politician has been in contact with Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) to ensure the survival of a hemp project threatened by executive upheaval. Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is looking even further than North America for growth. Cronos Group Inc. (TSX: CRON) (NASDAQ: CRON) is focusing on innovation in the sector. New Age Beverages Corporation (NASDAQ: NBEV) has been expanding its distribution and marketing power to reach into an ever-growing hemp market.

In between growers and sellers lie several potential places for companies with expertise to firmly establish themselves in the burgeoning cannabis space.

Savvy companies such as Youngevity International Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) recognize the potential payoff of being involved in the back end of the cannabis industry. The company’s wholly owned subsidiary Khrysos Industries Inc. just signed a five-year contract to purchase hemp plant biomass for extraction, end-to-end processing and production of hemp-derived products. Indiva Limited (TSX.V: NDVA) (OTCQX: NDVAF) has successfully received an amended license from Health Canada for three additional grow rooms and three additional processing rooms. Neptune Wellness Solutions Inc. (TSX: NEPT) (NASDAQ: NEPT) recently announced that its wholly owned subsidiary received a notification letter from Health Canada indicating that all requested license amendments have been approved. Other cannabis companies are making strategic moves in the industry as well. CannaRoyalty Corporation (CSE: OH) (OTCQX: ORHOF) has obtained final approval to move forward with its plan of arrangement with Cresco Labs, which will result in the largest-ever public company acquisition in the U.S. cannabis sector. And KushCo Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: KSHB) has partnered with C.A. Fortune, a leading full-service national consumer products sales and marketing agency, with the intent to grant viable CBD companies access to large-scale, conventional retail channels.

Mainstream retailers across the United States are embracing the growing popularity of the nonpsychoactive cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD), making room for CBD products on their prominent shelves.

With the rise of these cannabis beauty products, major stores from luxury retailers Barney’s and Neiman Marcus down to Walgreens, Rite Aid and now Kroger are stocking products from a range of CBD SKU producers, including Green Growth Brands (CSE: GGB) (OTCQB: GGBXF), Charlotte’s Web Holdings (TSX: CWEB) (OTCQX: CWBHF), CannTrust Holdings Inc. (TSX: TRST) (NYSE: CTST), Organigram Holdings Inc. (TSX.V: OGI) (NASDAQ: OGI) (OGI Profile) and HEXO Corp. (TSX: HEXO) (NYSE American: HEXO).

As hemp production increases, Californian legislators have extended the duration of thousands of cannabis cultivation licenses to support the state’s thriving industry.

Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) is supporting many of these companies that have cultivation licenses by providing cultivation and extraction equipment. Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC), one of the biggest companies in the sector, is increasing its growing capacity while helping educate about medicines. Cronos Group Inc. (TSX: CRON) (NASDAQ: CRON) is leaning into new technology, with new facilities for R&D and processing. The Green Organic Dutchman (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) (TGODF Profile) has tapped into the demand for organic produce and is now expanding into global CBD market. GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) (OTC: GWPRF) is developing powerful new medicines, in which hemp could help tackle previously uncurable illnesses.

With demand outstripping supply, successful cannabis companies are following smart core strategies and reporting strong revenues.

Golden Developing Solutions Inc. (OTC: DVLP) has used a mix of acquisitions, diverse brands and products, and increased production footprint to meet customer demand and report significant revenue increases, including its strongest second-quarter numbers ever. Industry giant Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) has followed a similar path, though some change may follow the recent departure of its co-CEO. Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) has invested heavily in increasing production while reaching into new markets such as the United Kingdom. Medmen Enterprises Inc. (CSE: MMEN) (OTCQX: MMNFF) and Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) have both shown the potential for growing multistate businesses in the United States, despite the challenges created by federal legislation.

Rising hemp production is putting pressure on processing.

Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD), a provider of cultivation equipment, is adding processors to its catalog of products, focusing on next-generation machinery. Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) will be among the companies with a rising demand for processing, as it increases both its cultivation capacity and its product lines. Demand is rising in part thanks to CBD’s public profile, with deals such as the partnership between Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB) and UFC shining a spotlight on the plant and its potential. New uses for CBD are also increasing demand for the plant, with R&D led by companies such as Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) and Aphria (NYSE: APHA) (TSX: APHA).

The cannabis sector continues its steady shift toward big business, big money and a focus on the value add of immaterial assets.

TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (FRA: TH8) has made several key acquisitions, creating a large operation with various licenses and recognized brands. HEXO Corp. (TSX: HEXO) (NYSE American: HEXO) has taken a similar path with the acquisition of Newstrike. Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) is building a positive public profile through releasing educational tools. Aphria Inc. (TSX: APHA) (NYSE: APHA) has expanded the hunt for cultivation licenses to Germany. Meanwhile, companies such as Charlotte’s Web Holdings Inc. (TSX: CWEB) (OTCQX: CWBHF) keep releasing new products into the market.