WeedLife News Network

Legalization doesn't matter as much as it may seem.

Amidst its historic growth spurt prompted by legalization and decriminalization at the state level, the cannabis industry is continuing to mature and change. As in every industry, the best companies are adapting and using the changing conditions to their benefit, whereas the weakest are struggling in the face of new challenges. 

If you want to pick the best cannabis stocks for your portfolio, you'll need to understand what's going on with the industry and why it matters. Follow along with me, and I'll show you which three trends are likely to push strong stocks to soar and lesser stocks to fall.

Warning included in Jackson County property tax bills

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is warning property owners they could face huge fines and even criminal charges if they lease their land to people growing illegal marijuana.

The warning letter by Jackson County Sheriff Nathan Sickler went out with this fall’s property tax bills.

Josephine County also sent out a warning in its property tax bills this fall, telling property owners they could lose their land through civil forfeiture for illegally growing marijuana or allowing someone else to do it.

Sickler said the Rogue Valley has seen a massive influx of cannabis cultivation over the last year. While most growers are following regulations and doing the right thing, many are not.

Local law enforcement agencies, state regulators, Jackson County code enforcement and the watermaster in Jackson County have teamed up to tackle some of the illegal grows proliferating across the valley.

At least one lender has opened the door to income from the marijuana industry buying, refinancing and pulling cash out.

Mortgage lenders knowingly and sometimes unwittingly provide residential purchase and refinance loans to tax cheats, money launderers and even straw buyers.

How so? Lenders typically face a low bar for income documentation, they don’t look too hard and they don’t ask many tough questions.

So, why can’t lenders provide mortgages for legally licensed, self-employed folks in California’s legal marijuana industry?

A proposed amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to legalize recreational marijuana and allow for a number of cannabis businesses proportional to the state's population was filed with the secretary of state's office Thursday morning.

The Arkansas Adult Use and Expungement Marijuana Amendment will be one of at least three adult-use cannabis proposals vying for the 2022 ballot.

The amendment would also allow anyone with certain felony or misdemeanor convictions related to marijuana possession to petition the courts for relief from the conviction.

Are Canopy Growth and Aurora Cannabis better investments since the departure of their CEOs more than a year ago?

Last month, cannabis producer Hexo (NASDAQ:HEXO) made news when it announced a change in leadership. It's not an uncommon occurrence in a fast-changing industry like marijuana where companies are always adjusting their strategies. But do moves like this typically pay off?

Two of the biggest cannabis companies in Canada, Canopy Growth (NASDAQ:CGC) and Aurora Cannabis (NASDAQ:ACB), have made changes in the CEO position in recent years. The big question is, are they in any better shape today than they were when the changes were made?

A case study of a U.K. woman whose lung tumour shrunk without the aid of conventional treatments while she was taking a daily dose of cannabidiol (CBD) oil has scientists suggesting it may be worth studying the use of CBD oil further.

The report, published in BMJ Case Reports in October, describes how the woman’s tumour shrunk from 41 mm to 10 mm in roughly two and a half years.

Cannabinoids are similar to endocannabinoids, which are manufactured by the human body to help in various processes, such as nerve function, energy metabolism, pain and inflammation and immune function, among others.

While cannabinoids have been studied as a primary cancer treatment before, the results have been inconclusive and inconsistent, making it difficult to pinpoint if it actually had any impact.

In this case report, a woman in her 80s was diagnosed with “non-small cell” lung cancer in June 2018 after months of a suspicious cough. She was a life-long smoker, smoking roughly 68 packs a year, and had a background of “mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” the report stated.

A look at the impact of Missouri's medical marijuana program one year in.

Trulieve Cannabis Corp (OTCMKTS: TCNNF) has reopened three formerly Harvest House of Cannabis branded medical cannabis dispensaries in Miami.

The reopening means unrivaled product selection and in-store experience for medical cannabis customers through every step of the process. This supports the company’s ambition of expanding medical cannabis access to patients across the states. The company hopes to exceed the expectations of Miami’s discerning and diverse patient base through exceptional in-store experience, online orders, and state-wide delivery.

The medical marijuana patient population growing rapidly in Miami 

Trulieve Chief Marketing Officer Valda Coryat said, “Trulieve celebrates the diverse and rapidly growing patient population in Miami. We look forward to broadening our community connections in the Miami area and providing an inclusive environment where patients and caregivers can turn for the medical cannabis products they rely on, the brands they trust, and a consistent experience, no matter which location they visit.”

The company has, in recent years, partnered with several organizations in Miami, and it looks forward to continuing with physician partnerships, community support, and marijuana education programs. Its Miami-area programs and partnerships include Epilepsy Florida, Miami Pride, Florida for Care, Pridelines, American Legion, and CannaMoms.

Trulieve reopens Arrowhead dispensary in Jacksonville, its 102nd location 

Also, Trulieve announced the reopening of the Arrowhead area of Jacksonville, Florida dispensary, which is the 102nd Trulieve store in Florida that was formerly Harvest House of Cannabis. Trulieve had announced at the beginning of October the closing of Harvest Health and Recreation Inc. acquisition, and it closed all Harvest locations in Florida for rebranding to Trulieve.

The company will continue opening more dispensaries in the state, considering patient demand and registry are growing. The location joins the other five medical marijuana dispensaries the company has opened in Jacksonville. With the reopening, customers will enjoy 25% discounts at the Arrowhead location, and new customers can receive a 50% discount at any Trulieve location.

Celebrities are getting into cannabis every week, but do their products even sell better than regular brands?

Thousands, if not millions, of individuals, reevaluate their stance on cannabis use each time a popular celebrity comes out in support of the drug. Dozens of these icons globally are influencing millions of their fans to give cannabis a try, just because they love it.

Celebrities have changed the game for good, as their impact on public opinions, foreign policies, health-related issues, and consumption habits has in many ways played a major role in the wide acceptance of marijuana laws across the United States.

Recent studies show that at least 35 percent of Gen Zers are influenced by celebs on political and social issues about cannabis. Roughly 24 percent of Gen Xers and about 32% of millennials also admitted the same.

Yearly, at least three of these celebrities establish cannabis brands or partner with other wellness companies to develop cannabis products for sale across the country.

In October, Justin Beiber and Clint Eastwood were in the news for cannabis industry-related headlines.

Edibles can swing from high to low as far as strength, so what can you do?

Homemade edibles are becoming more popular than ever with a lot of people getting creative with cannabis in the kitchen. Undoubtedly, freshly-baked canna-infused brownies do sound appealing which is why homemade edibles are becoming the new trend.

However, making edibles with a safe dose of THC is an art that requires accuracy and precision. It needs careful math, an understanding of decarboxylation, and vast knowledge of the THC content of the flower you're using. As such, manufacturers need to follow strict processes in making sure edibles contain a safe quantity of THC. But don't get discouraged just yet. This article explains how to ensure your homemade edibles are safely and consistently dosed with THC.

Why is it important to calculate THC dosage in edibles correctly?

Edibles vary from other types of cannabis delivery in several ways. To begin, you should know that the human body processes the THC in edibles differently. But, the basic digestive process of THC in the human body is the same. During digestive processes, THC is converted into 11-hydroxy-THC which is a long-lasting and potent compound with heightened sedative processes. Thanks to the digestive process, the high can last for aba out six hours or more depending on the individual.

Consuming edibles with high THC content translates to a high level of 11-hydroxy-THC in your system. This compound can make you severely impaired and highly uncomfortable. Given that a high can last up to six hours, that's you experiencing six hours of discomfort and severe anxiety. History of cannabis use, weight, age, genetics, diet, and gastrointestinal health all influence an individual's response to edibles

An overview of edible potency

Measuring the potency of edibles is quite different from that of concentrate or flower. Cannabinoid concentration in edibles is measured in milligrams. Ideally, every cannabis product identifies the CBD and THC concentrations as well as its cannabinoid content.

In the mad scramble to capitalize on the higher demand for weed due to increased legalization, some cultivators have resorted to questionable growing methods. Arguably, the most notorious of these “cultivation hacks” is the use of PGRs. Short for “plant growth regulators,” PGRs are artificial hormones that can alter a plant’s development. The good news is, they are frequently employed to help increase cannabis bud production. The bad news is, these PGRs may seriously alter the flavor of cannabis, and questions remain about the effectiveness and safety of PGR cannabis. 

As demand for high-THC cannabis continues to climb, PGRs will become an increasingly hot topic in cultivation circles. With this in mind, consumers deserve to know how their cannabis is grown and what they’re putting in their bodies. 

According to a recent review in the ​​Journal Drug Testing and Analysis, pesticide contamination is a growing problem in cannabis. On a molecular level, researchers have found traces of various pesticides and PGR molecules in various samples of cannabis. Therefore, if someone is consuming PGR weed, these chemicals are surely getting inside the body–the effects of which are largely unknown. 1

But PGRs don’t merely change the chemical structure of weed. According to most anecdotal testimonies about PGR cannabis on Reddit, this weed has a distinctly different flavor, effect, and texture than naturally-grown weed. 

Since PGRs work by interfering with the natural hormones of the plant, it’s no wonder these buds often have depleted cannabinoid and terpene concentrations. Instead, what customers get are artificially dense nugs with mild trichome counts. Likely, you won’t feel the same level of a high or smell any dankness with PGR weed. 

To get the most out of your next weed session, be sure to take these tips into consideration.

The myth of the lazy stoner is dying a well-deserved death. America is waking up to the fact that cannabis consumers are also productive and valuable members of their communities. They're parents, friends, neighbors, employers, and employees.

Yet many consumers struggle to get the results they deserve from cannabis.

Inconsistent and unreliable outcomes

We've all heard the story from the friend who ate a pot brownie that knocked them off their feet, got anxious and paranoid, and never touched weed again. 

But it's not just newbies that struggle. Experienced cannabis enthusiasts understand the difference between that perfect feeling – the mood state they're after every time – and the frustrating, inconsistent, and unreliable effects they sometimes endure in pursuit of that ideal experience.

What is that ideal experience that consumers seek? According to New Frontier Data's 2021 Cannabis Consumer Evolution report, consumers cite these reasons for their cannabis use:

Marijuana Stocks And Current Market Activity

In November the cannabis sector has continued to see market declines that have left top marijuana stocks at the lowest trading levels seen in 2021. One part of the cannabis sector that has seen a significant drop in value is Canadian cannabis stocks. After reaching new highs in the first quarter Canadian pot stocks have fallen to levels that could have some possible potential for investors.

More than two in three Americans (68%) support legalizing marijuana, maintaining the record-high level reached last year.

Gallup has documented increasing support for legalizing marijuana over more than five decades, with particularly sharp increases occurring in the 2000s and 2010s. In 2013, a majority of Americans, for the first time, supported legalization.

As was the case in 2020, solid majorities of U.S. adults in all major subgroups by gender, age, income and education support legalizing marijuana.

Substantive differences are seen, however, by political party and religion. While most Democrats (83%) and political independents (71%) support legalization, Republicans are nearly evenly split on the question (50% in favor; 49% opposed). Weekly and semiregular attendees of religious services are split on the issue as well, while those who attend infrequently or never are broadly supportive of legalizing marijuana.

Washington counties bordering Idaho had some of the highest cannabis spending per capita.

Cannabis sales in Washington continue to grow year over year, according to annual data released last month by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. Consumers in Washington spent $1.49 billion on cannabis in the fiscal year ended June 30, up from $1.27 billion in fiscal 2020. This continues an upward trend in the revenue numbers, which topped $1 billion for the first time in 2019. Fiscal 2021 sales generated a record $533.9 million in tax revenue for the state.

Spokane County continues to be among the leaders in revenue produced overall and revenue produced per capita. Rounding up, $164 million was spent on retail cannabis in Spokane County over the past fiscal year, generating $60.6 million in tax revenue. That puts Spokane County third in the state, behind only King and Pierce counties. King and Pierce are the state's first and second most-populated counties, while Spokane County ranks fourth in population.

This is where things get interesting.

Looking at the county-by-county data there's a pretty clear correlation with bigger counties amounting to larger sums of money spent on cannabis. More people, more money — makes sense. But, if you break it down per capita, that correlation falls apart. Take Asotin County, for example. Located in the southeast corner of Washington, Asotin County is home to just 22,820 residents, according to the most recent Census Bureau estimate, but generated $15.3 million in cannabis sales in fiscal 2021. That averages out to $672.50 per resident. The state average is $197.13 per resident.

So, is Asotin County just high out of its mind? Or, does it happen to border a state where cannabis remains illegal?

The latter seems to be true. Spokane County ranks second in per capita spending at $310.03 per resident. Whitman County, which also borders Idaho, was third in per capita spending each of the past two years. This year it's fourth, by less than a dollar behind Grays Harbor County, at $266.79. Three of the top four counties in Washington, based on per-capita spending on cannabis, border Idaho, a state where cannabis remains entirely illegal. It appears non-residents are pumping up border-county stats.

With each passing year, older adults have been getting more and more into marijuana. With that said, there are some potential issues to be aware of.

Thanks for marijuana legalization, the herb has been going through a phase of reevaluation. People of all ages are more open to trying it, whether for recreational or medicinal purposes, especially when faced with the side effects of prescription medications. One of the fastest growing demographics are Baby Boomers.

A survey conducted on adults over the age of 55 between 2016 and 2018 found that men are increasing the amount of marijuana they consume, particularly those between the ages of 60-64. There are many reasons why this could be happening, among them, the fact that the drug has lower stigma, making it more likely for people to be honest with their answers, that there are more options and drug availability, and more.

Photo by Westend61/Getty Images

Other contributing factors include a global leaning towards more natural medicines. This is especially effective for older adults looking for pain relief and sleep aids, preferably those that don’t come with significant side effects.

Reactions with medication

Photo by rawpixel.com

The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority continues to stay busy accommodating new licensed businesses, addressing a growing trend of THC "analogs" on dispensary shelves and adapting to new emergency rules now in effect, agency Director Adria Berry said Tuesday.  

The additional rules became active on Monday, with an intention to give the authority more power to act and enforce its own rules while also adding clarifications for operators from how long records must be kept to requirements for packaging of pre-rolled joints. 

Outside of the emergency rules, which are now in the public comment period and on track to become permanent in the next year, the authority has made 30 hires in the past month, filling 12 inspector positions. 

"One of the glaring issues we had was just not getting out and inspecting across the state, that's really the biggest thing we've been hearing," Berry said. 

Berry says in addition to the new hires a renewed focus on inspections and a replacement of the agency's compliance director are driving the agency forward. 

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG) reported full-year financial results as sales dropped 17%  in the fourth quarter to $737.8 million. Still, this topped the Yahoo Finance average analyst estimate for sales of $689 million. Scott’s reported a GAAP loss in the quarter of $0.87 per share compared with earnings last year of $0.07 per diluted share. The adjusted loss in the quarter was $0.82 per share compared with earnings of $0.06 per diluted share a year ago. The estimate was for a loss of $0.84.

Twice last year a federal grand jury demanded the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services turn over records pertaining to the medical marijuana program. 

The pair of subpoenas, issued by the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri in September 2020, were redacted by the department at the request of the federal government before being turned over to The Independent, obfuscating the records being sought by federal law enforcement. 

A third subpoena, from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, was received by the department in July 2021. The records being sought were also redacted. 

The existence of the subpoenas was first reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Jack Suntrup.

They follow a 2019 subpoena from a federal grand jury demanding all records pertaining to medical marijuana license applications of four individuals. The identity of those individuals was redacted from the copy of the subpoena first reported by the Kansas City Star. 

Former NFL running back Ricky Williams and Canadian screen actor and writer Seth Rogen are pursuing fresh efforts in the cannabis space, as celebrities leverage their fame to launch marijuana-themed businesses, with mixed results thus far.

Entertainment and sports stars have been routinely flexing their entrepreneurial muscles in response to the legal cannabis business rolling out of late in states such as New York and New Jersey. Federal legalization remains a possibility in the future, as well.