Canada Aims to Become the First Developed Country to Legalize Marijuana
Is this too good to be Trudeau?
Sean Williams (TMFUltraLong) Apr 8, 2017 at 9:12AM
The U.S. marijuana industry has seen incredible growth for the past couple of years. Last year alone, residents in four states voted to legalize recreational marijuana, doubling the number of states that allow the sale of adult-use pot, while five new states legalized medical cannabis (two of which did so entirely through the legislative process).
According to cannabis research firm ArcView, North American sales of cannabis grew by 34% in 2016 to $6.9 billion, though this still pales in comparison to the estimated $46.4 billion in illicit marijuana sales conducted on the black market.
Cannabis buds in a jar sitting atop a pile of cash.
IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.
In legal states, the sales growth is too big to ignore. After generating $996.2 million in sales in 2015, along with approximately $135 million in tax and licensing revenue, Colorado's legal pot sales topped $1.3 billion in 2016, with tax and licensing revenue approaching $200 million. About two-thirds of Colorado's legal marijuana revenue came from the recreational side of the equation.
Washington takes the wind out of marijuana's sails
Yet for all of the momentum behind the U.S. marijuana industry, the federal government stands in the way of its success. On Capitol Hill, marijuana is still a Schedule 1 substance, meaning it's illegal and has no medically beneficial qualities. With this designation, pot-based companies face a number of challenges, such as the inability to take normal business tax deductions and the difficultly accessing basic banking services, like checking accounts. Being listed as a Schedule 1 drug also makes it exceptionally difficult for researchers to run much-needed clinical trials on cannabis that lawmakers have effectively demanded before they'd consider any type of rescheduling or de-scheduling of the drug.
Making matters even worse, White House press secretary Sean Spicer in February commented that the Trump administration would be changing course from the extremely lax policies of the Obama administration with regard to its hands-off agenda on state-level regulation. Though Trump has remained fully supportive of medical cannabis, and it doesn't appear as if the federal government will halt the ability of states to legalize medical marijuana, Spicer has intimated that tougher enforcement of federal laws with regard to recreational pot could be on the way. The appointment of ardent marijuana opponent Jeff Sessions as U.S. attorney general only adds fuel to the fire.
In other words, the U.S. marijuana market is sort of stuck in a proverbial limbo.
A person holding a cannabis joint in front of Canada's maple leaf.
IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.
This maple leaf could turn green in July 2018
However, according to senior Canadian government officials speaking on the condition of anonymity, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his progressive government are aiming to pass a countrywide legalization of recreational marijuana soon, such that by July 1, 2018, it would be legal for adults to smoke pot.
This news shouldn't come as a complete shock given that Trudeau has campaigned for the legalization of marijuana in the past. The question marks had always been whether Trudeau had the support of the Canadian government, and what the final bill would look like.
Per the various sources reporting on the matter, adults ages 21 and up would be allowed to buy recreational cannabis, users would be allowed to possess up to 30 grams (more than one ounce), and households could grow up to four plants at a time. Though some pundits have suggested a higher minimum age limit since brain development continues until age 25, the marijuana task force, which is offering advice to the Canadian government, believes a higher minimum age requirement would preserve black market sales.
The marijuana task force also suggested that marijuana strains should be taxed based on their potency. Thus, higher potency strains should come with a higher tax rate than weaker strains.
Lastly, the task force recommends that recreational marijuana not be sold in the same locations as tobacco and/or alcohol. Therefore, cannabis lounges could be set up in Canada, but they would have to be alcohol-free establishments.
A commercial indoor marijuana grow farm.
IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.
Opportunity up north
While there's still no guarantee that Canada will pass legislation to legalize recreational marijuana, this latest news suggests the highest confidence in doing so in months. Should Canada pass a bill legalizing recreational pot, it's not out of the question that we could see a "green rush" out of the U.S. and into Canada by some marijuana businesses.
Though the U.S. is believed to have a substantially larger market for recreational marijuana, two already established companies in Canada could stand to benefit: Canopy Growth Corp. (NASDAQOTH:TWMJF) and Aphria (NASDAQOTH:APHQF). Both Canopy Growth and Aphria are producers of marijuana in Canada for medical purposes. They both sell a good chunk of their production online. Assuming Canada regulates its cannabis industry in a similar fashion to Colorado, Washington, and Oregon -- by issuing licenses -- there's no reason why Canopy Growth and Aphria couldn't add recreational cannabis to complement their existing medical businesses.
What would make this all too perfect for Canopy Growth and Aphria is that both companies have been recently expanding their growing capacity. Canopy Growth recently acquired Mettrum Health, boosting its capacity to six licensed facilities and 665,000 square feet, while Aphria has been increasing its growing space organically through expansion phases. It recently implemented part three of its expansion, which will ultimately triple its production capacity. Not surprisingly, these also happen to be the only two marijuana stocks that are currently generating positive earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, implying a sustainable business model.
While this Fool remains highly skeptical of marijuana stocks because of their high valuations relative to their minimal current profit potential, these two remain the ones to watch for the time being.
Sean Williams has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
AUTHOR
Sean Williams Sean Williams (TMFUltraLong) A Fool since 2010, and a graduate from UC San Diego with a B.A. in Economics, Sean specializes in the healthcare sector and investment planning. You'll often find him writing about Obamacare, marijuana, drug and device development, Social Security, taxes, retirement issues and general macroeconomic topics of interest.
ARTICLE INFO
Apr 8, 2017 at 9:12AM
Health Care
STOCKS
APHRIA INC NPV Stock Quote
APHRIA INC NPV
NASDAQOTH:APHQF
$5.91 up $0.31 (5.49%)
TWEED MARIJUANA Stock Quote
TWEED MARIJUANA
NASDAQOTH:TWMJF
$7.64 down $0.02 (-0.25%)
READ MORE
U.S. Bancorp’s Unique Approach to Balancing Its Stakeholders
Refinancing a Mortgage: Essential Tips You Need to Know
Are Capital Gains Taxed at a Lower Rate?
The Best Dividend Stock in E-Commerce
Does My State Tax Social Security Benefits?
Why Clovis Oncology's Stock Edged Higher in March
Investors are clearly excited about Clovis' new ovarian cancer drug, but this enthusiasm may be overdone at this point.
George Budwell (TMFGBudwell) Apr 7, 2017 at 4:53PM
What happened
According to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, shares of Clovis Oncology (NASDAQ:CLVS) gained 7.42% in March. The drugmaker's shares are now up almost 28% so far this year due to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of its advanced BRCA-mutant ovarian-cancer drug Rubraca last December.
This approval marked the second for a PARP inhibitor for advanced ovarian cancer, with AstraZeneca's (NYSE:AZN) Lynparza hitting the market first in 2014. PARP inhibitors function by interfering with a cell's ability to repair its DNA, leading to genomic instability and cell death.
Doctor examining an x-ray.
IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.
So what
From a fundamental perspective, Rubraca should go a long way toward improving Clovis' outlook. With a high-end 2018 sales estimate of $462 million, for instance, Clovis could become a cash-flow-positive operation as early as next year.
Now what
The next shoe to drop is Rubraca's mid-year data release for its ongoing maintenance therapy study, dubbed "ARIEL 3."
Unfortunately for Clovis and its shareholders, though, Astra's Lynparza is currently under priority review with the FDA as a maintenance therapy in ovarian cancer, and Tesaro's (NASDAQ:TSRO) rival PARP inhibitor Zejula gained an early approval -- along with a far broader label than Rubraca -- just this week.
The point is that the advanced ovarian-cancer market is starting to get a tad crowded, and it's not altogether clear which drug will emerge as the market-share leader. Tesaro's drug, nonetheless, appears to have the best chance at grabbing the lion's share of the market based on its particularly strong clinical profile that prompted the FDA to approve it three months ahead of schedule.
Clovis' run-up following Rubraca's approval may not be entirely warranted. Rubraca, after all, will have to overcome some stiff competition to justify the company's present valuation.
Trump's potential $1.6 trillion investment
We aren't politicos here at The Motley Fool. But we know a great investing opportunity when we see one.
Our analysts spotted what could be a $1.6 trillion opportunity lurking in Donald Trump's infrastructure plans. And given this team's superb track record (more than tripling the market over the past decade*), you don't want to miss what they found.
They've picked 11 stocks poised to profit from Trump's first 100 days as president. History has shown that getting in early on a good idea can often pay big bucks – so don't miss out on this moment.
