You Can Invest in Beer & Pharma Brands Investing in Cannabis

Investors looking to purchase cannabis stocks have some options on the major U.S. stock markets such as Tilray, Canopy Growth, Cronos, and Aurora, and many companies to choose from on the Canadian Securities Exchange. However, if the volatility of a burgeoning industry is a bit too much for your taste, or you want to diversify a bit, a more conservative middle ground is to invest in beer and pharmaceutical companies that are investing in cannabis themselves; Mike Adams notes a few options in his piece for Forbes:

GW Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: GWPH)

Perhaps what makes this stock one of the best cannabis industry investments is the fact that the company played the U.S. government’s game and won. GW was recently granted FDA approval for its cannabis-based epilepsy drug Epidiolex. This is the first time in history the agency has deemed a true form of marijuana medicine “safe and effective” for distribution in the United States. Epidiolex will be made available with a prescription nationwide. Everywhere from small town apothecaries to CVS and Walgreens are expected to carry the drug.

Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ)

The brewer behind Corona and Modelo beer brands was the first alcohol company to jump into legal marijuana. The company, which is the third largest beer maker on the planet, partnered with the above-mentioned Canopy Growth last year to create a line of cannabis-infused beverages for the Canadian cannabis market (going fully legal on Oct 17).

Molson Coors (NYSE: TAP) (TSE: TPX)

Investors needing another reason to toss money at the brewing business in hopes of profiting on legal weed should look no further than the latest development involving Molson Coors. The second largest brewer in the world has partnered up with Hydropothecary Corporation to create a line of non-alcoholic cannabis beers to sell in Canada. The company plans to use this new growth opportunity to combat a decline in beer sales and prepare for marijuana to go legal nationwide in the United States. “If other markets start to open up in due course and this becomes federally legal, then we’ll be in a good place at that point in time,” CEO Mark Hunter said in a statement.

In addition to GW Pharmaceuticals, Molson Coors, and Constellation Brands, Adams also includes Heineken as well; the complete blog post is certainly worth checking out if you’re thinking about investing. When investing in any industry, let alone one that is still illegal federally in the U.S., due diligence is certainly key.

The advances of big companies investing in cannabis can be somewhat of a double-edged sword. On one hand, established companies provide more legitimacy to legalization as we seek to end prohibition across the nation and the world. On the other hand, powerful corporate interests may push for draconian laws that are too burdensome and strict. While they should be monitored and shunned if any unethical lobbying occurs, stable companies investing in cannabis may provide a good opportunity for investors to profit from the burgeoning cannabis market while protected against extremely volatile swings.

Learn more about investing in cannabis, and attracting investors, at the International Cannabis Business Conference, this September 27th-28th in Portland, Oregon. The ICBC conference program includes a Mom and Pop Pitch Event where small craft businesses pitch their companies before a room filled with investors and entrepreneurs. Don’t miss the chance to learn the latest and network with top professionals from around the world. Get your early bird tickets by September 12th to save $200!