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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.

Skepticism has been squashed and all apprehension eliminated. There’s no longer any question about either the viability or the profitability of the newly respected cannabis sector. Huge money has already been made in the nascent industry, and the only real question left is: where’s the next super nova?

Quarter-over-quarter sales growth is one of the indicators used to target explosive upside potential. Similar growth patterns were exhibited by many of the cannabis behemoths prior to parabolic price increases. In what may be an equally telling indicator, Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF) revenues have now increased 11 consecutive quarters, quarter on quarter, ever since the company started selling its hemp-based CBD products. Similar quarterly sales spikes and strategic acquisitions foreshadowed dramatic price increases in some of the largest names in the cannabis universe. Last October Medmen Enterprises Inc. (CSE: MMEN) (OTCQX: MMNFF) soared 60% in one week when the company announced a deal to buy PharmCann. Florida-based Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (OTC: TCNNF) (CSE: TRUL) went public last September through a reverse merger in Canada and soared 200% after a strong 2018 Q2. Already up big on Canadian exchanges, Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) became the first pure-play marijuana stock to list on NASDAQ around $7 and just bounced off $23 a share. Last year, Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) became the first cannabis company to IPO on the NASDAQ at $17 per share and by September skyrocketed to $300. Despite price surges and fluctuations in the big cannabis names, there’s bound to be more money made in the sector; the run is far from over.

Extraction technology plays a crucial part in the production of cannabidiol (CBD) from hemp.

Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD), a company already established in the hydroponic equipment business, is making plans to add extraction technology to its repertoire. Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) has been researching new medical applications for CBD and related chemicals — medicines for which extraction will be critical. KushCo Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: KSHB) has moved from providing support services to CBD-related companies to running its own store and has recently bolstered its leadership team for further growth. Harvest Health & Recreation Inc. (CSE: HARV) (OTCQX: HRVSF) has expanded swiftly over the past six years, growing from a single operation to a presence in five U.S. states. And in a boost to CBD’s public profile, Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB) has teamed up with UFC to research the application of CBD and related treatments for mixed martial artists.

Experiments with next-generation delivery systems appear certain to lead to better cannabis-based products.

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) has recently seen spectacular improvements in the effectiveness of cannabinoids thanks to its proprietary chemical delivery treatment. GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) (OTC: GWPRF), which has won widespread praise for its innovative medical work, has seen good trial results for a new treatment for seizures.  Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is supporting studies into the uses of cannabinoids to treat behavioral problems and HIV. MariMed Inc. (OTCQB: MRMD) has set up a subsidiary focused on CBD, currently the highest-profile cannabinoid product. Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) has established a new research lab to develop devices for CBD consumption.

As the hemp and CBD markets grow, a wide variety of CBD- and hemp-based products are becoming available, including products for pets.

Geyser Brands Inc. (TSX.V: GYSR) has recently announced an acquisition that provides the company with two brands of hemp and CBD products. Indiva Ltd. (TSX.V: NDVA) (OTCQX: NDVAF), which provides infused products for humans, is working on a new extraction facility to increase its production. Viridium Pacific Group (TSX.V: VIR) (OTCQB: VIRFF) is supporting the growth of the hemp and cannabis industries through investment, both in acquisitions and in partnership with smaller companies. Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF) (WLDFF Profile) has raised the public profile of CBD through celebrity associations and entry into prestige shops. Phivida Holdings Inc. (CSE: VIDA) (OTCQX: PHVAF) is producing CBD products for both humans and their furry companions.

Fueled by an explosion of CBD-infused edibles, billion-dollar projections for the CBD market may even be conservative.

This seems possible when one considers the truly innovative work being done in the sector by the likes of Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP), which has developed a patented delivery technology with disruptive potential, delivering 475% more CBD to the bloodstream after 15 minutes than conventional formulations. Other sector innovators are making a similar impact, including the likes of noted cannabinoid biopharma GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) (OTC: GWPRF) and that of researchers and product developers Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY), MariMed Inc. (OTCQB: MRMD) and Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX: ACB) (NYSE: ACB).

Cannabis companies are using increasingly refined acquisition tactics to create vertical integration.

TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (XETR: TH8) has developed a refined acquisition strategy, assessing more than one hundred targets before settling on a select few to acquire. Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF), one of America’s leading multistate cannabis companies, has recently announced its agreement to acquire CannaRoyalty Corp. (OTCQX: ORHOF), giving it control over a vast distribution platform. In Canada, HEXO Corp. (TSX: HEXO) (NYSE American: HEXO) has been given approval to acquire Newstrike, as the country’s vibrant industry consolidates following recent dramatic growth. For those without vertical integration, companies such as DionyMed Brands Inc. (CSE: DYME) (OTCQB: DYMEF) provide vital support services, including logistics and distribution.

Growing demand for CBD is increasing pressure on companies that provide key cultivation equipment and industry supplies.

As part of its commitment to build a large and well-supplied sales channel, hydroponic supplier Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) is in the process of making acquisition of companies that supply the hemp industry. An increasing need for supplies is coming from companies such as Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC), a major cultivator and processor making moves on the CBD drinks and well-being markets. Cronos Group Inc. (TSX: CRON) (NASDAQ: CRON) has entered into a supply agreement with another provider to ensure the materials it needs for its products. Global efforts by companies such as New Age Beverages Corporation (NASDAQ: NBEV) and Aphria (TSX: APHA) (NYSE: APHA) may further strain U.S. supply chains, due to greater cultivation restrictions in other parts of the world.

Companies with a presence in the CBD market are seeing their profiles rise, thanks to growing media and celebrity attention.

Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF) is one of the companies benefiting most from this attention, with its products featured in Kim Kardashian’s baby shower and the new Saks CBD store. Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) has seen strong market coverage as its shares rose following action to tackle product shortages in Canada. Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) has fostered its public profile through efforts by the company’s media-savvy co-CEO. Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) drew attention as its share value rose with a large external investment. Charlotte’s Web Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: CWBHF) (CSE: CWEB) has been focusing on growing better CBD-producing plants, work that has drawn attention to its VP of cultivation.

• Kim Kardashian’s CBD-themed baby shower drew attention to the range of relaxing CBD products.
• Other high-profile appearances are boosting upper-end CBD brands.
• Broad media coverage is normalizing and drawing customers to the sector.

A boom in demand for cannabidiol (CBD) has created an alarming shortage, which savvy hemp companies are aggressively looking to solve.

Cultivation supplies company Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) (SGMD Profile) has acquired several other suppliers, allowing it to benefit from economies of scale. Canadian cultivator Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is investing heavily in new growing space. Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) has expanded from Canada into the United States and is collaborating with other companies to meet demand. Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) has received a substantial inflow of funds from a tobacco company and is investing some of it in R&D. Charlotte’s Web Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: CWBHF) (CSE: CWEB) is focusing on growing high-quality hemp to supply a range of novel products.

Last year was a year of maturation for the cannabis market.

• California’s growing pains are a recipe for success for handful of savvy operators
• Brands, consistency and scalability likely deciding factors for many companies
• Projected global market size an open-and-shut case for scaling up NA sector

The market growth resulted from retailers in nine legal adult-use states being pushed beyond the sector’s historically core demographics, targeting fast-growing new segments such as women, with an emphasis on elements such as wellness and clearly labeled/low-dose alternatives. That trend was reinforced with CBD breaking out into the mainstream, as industrial hemp became legal throughout the United States, and cannabis companies looked for ways to stand out from the crowd. Some companies were more successful at this than others, with TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (XETR: TH8) (TCAN Profile) making huge strides recently to expand the upper-end procurement part of the business, as well as flesh-out its footprint of branded offerings. Other moves have been made by comparable sector players such as Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED), DionyMed Brands Inc. (OTCQB: DYMEF) (CSE: DYME), Cresco Labs Inc. (OTCQX: CRLBF) (CSE: CL) and CannaRoyalty Corp. (OTCQX: ORHOF) (CSE: OH), which are pursuing similarly comprehensive approaches to the sector that run the gamut from raw inputs to changing branding, marketing and distribution methods.

The growth of vaping has led to the emergence of a new sector.

• Vaping is tied to the tobacco and cannabis industries but has become popular as a healthier delivery system for both products.
• Investment and mergers are fueling the industry’s expansion.
• Working smarter in the competitive market may be savvy strategy.

Many companies are jockeying for position in this new space. Interestingly, some of the more successful companies may not necessarily be the big players but those that work smart with what they have. Among these smaller smart companies is VPR Brands LP (OTC: VPRB) (VPRB Profile), which has used innovative products and marketing tactics to expand its customer base. At the opposite end of the spectrum is Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO), a tobacco giant that has invested heavily in vaping. Greenlane Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: GNLN) works on the distribution side and has impressive reach, supplying nearly 10,000 stores and two major online outlets. KushCo Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: KSHB) has moved successfully from packaging into cannabis. Thanks to cannabis-based medicines such as those created by GW Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ: GWPH), vaping may even develop a place in medical care.

Projections for the cannabis markets are staggering, yet there’s evidence that the lofty estimates may be understated.

• Cannabis projections often fall far short of actual sales growth.
• Cannabis-infused beverages looks to be next area of explosive upside.
• Beverage and cannabis companies striking deals to gain market access.
• New technologies could snag significant market share.

Once viewed as wild conjecture for the future of cannabis markets, forecasts in 2015 fell severely short of actuality. At that time, consensus was that Canada could reach CA$2.8 billion in legal sales by 2020. Sage prognosticators now say that the market may exceed CA$7 billion in 2019. Catering to the tastes of market demographics, intense interest is now focused on the cannabis-infused beverages market. Not even legal in Canada until this fall, the infused beverage market is already pegged to reach a mind-boggling CA$4.4 billion within five years.

Joining the ranks of the majors to meet this titanic demand, Sproutly Canada Inc. (OTCQB: SRUTF) (CSE: SPR) (SRUTF Profile) announced a joint venture with Moosehead Breweries, the largest and oldest independent beer company in Canada. Cannabis colossus Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) announced a research partnership into infused beverages and is bringing in executives with backgrounds in the beverage industry. The maker of Corona and Modelo beer increased its stake in Canopy Growth Corp. (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) to 38%, spurring speculation of cannabis-infused beverages to come. HEXO Corp. (NYSE American: HEXO) (TSX: HEXO) entered a joint venture with Molson Coors Canada to produce CBD-infused beverages. And New Age Beverages Corp. (NASDAQ: NBEV) is anticipated to begin roll out of Marley+CBD-infused drinks in four targeted U.S. states.

The cannabis industry presents a rare opportunity to profit from spectacular growth in a virtually untapped market.

• Legal marijuana market projected to reach $146.4 billion.
• United States and Canada current epicenter of cannabis growth.
• Brand recognition and retail reach imperative for market share.

Capturing market share and creating long-term success in this explosive market will require brand recognition and retail reach. Shortly after posting its tenth consecutive quarter of increased revenues, Wildflower Brands Inc. (OTCQB: WLDFF) (CSE: SUN) (WLDFF Profile) announced intentions to further expand its footprint with the acquisition of premier licensed cannabis retailer, City Cannabis Corp. A finalized accretive acquisition will add significant revenues to Wildflower, providing access to several valuable cannabis licenses in lucrative premium locations. Other companies in the sector are looking to grow in the market through other promising ways. Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) recently acquired Natura Naturals Holdings, boosting capacity to supply cannabis products across Canada. Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) bought hemp company AgriNextUSA to accelerate entry into key American jurisdictions. Medmen Enterprises Inc. (OTCQX: MMNFF) (CSE: MMEN) announced the purchase of two vertically integrated operations, which include retail locations and 25,000 square feet of cultivation and production capacity. And only two weeks ago, Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: CURLF) (CSE: CURA) completed the acquisition of Eureka to provide access to California’s wholesale market through a large greenhouse facility.

Ever since the Farm Bill was signed into law, farmers across the United States have rushed into hemp cultivation, driving demand for the supplies needed to grow the crop necessary to meet surging CBD use.

• Global hemp industry to reach $22 billion in 2022.
• CBD market could increase 40 times in the next four years.
• Hemp farming skyrockets to meet demand.
• Serious squeeze on hydroponic and cultivation supply products.

Hemp is booming across the country, and nowhere more so than in Kentucky, where the applications to grow hemp are expected to increase fivefold, and acreage dedicated to growing the crop is set to more than triple this year. At the forefront of this explosive market growth, Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) (SGMD Profile) recently inked a strategic supply contract with Hempistry Inc., a leading Kentucky-based cultivator of high CBD content hemp. Since passage of the farm bill, other major Canadian producers have also been making deals to expand hemp and CBD operations south of the border. Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) announced the acquisition of a large hemp foods maker, and Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) is making substantial investments in New York state. Aphria (NYSE: APHA) (TSX: APHA) temporarily withdrew from the U.S. market while fighting off a hostile takeover bid. And after a $1.8 billion investment from a U.S. tobacco giant, Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) is expanding globally with eyes to the U.S. markets in the future. Even the largest Canadian licensed producers are betting on hemp CBD, underscoring titanic market growth.