Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our opinions or reviews. Learn how we make money.
In only a few short years, cannabis has emerged as one of the next big market disruptors. Today, as billions of dollars pour into the sector, investors in India and around the world are keen to take part in the anticipated marijuana boom. But before you add marijuana stocks to your portfolio, consider how the legality issues that surround this product may impact profits.
What is cannabis?
Cannabis refers to plants Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis. This plant can be processed for a variety of purposes, from topical oils and food products to building materials — but it’s popularly grown and consumed for its psychoactive properties.
In the US, cannabis legalisation is a divisive subject and the laws that govern its consumption vary by state. Some states, like Washington, Vermont and California, have legalised both recreational and medical marijuana consumption. Others, like Utah, Arizona and New York, only permit marijuana consumption for medical purposes. And in many other states, cannabis consumption is not permitted in any capacity.
Cannabis stocks are shares of any company that grows, harvests, sells, manufactures or distributes cannabis, including hemp.
Must read: Is marijuana legal in India?
No. Though marijuana has a very long history in India both mythically and medicinally, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, cannabis and its derivatives (e.g. hashish or charas and ganja) are banned in India. In general, consumption, possession, sale or purchase of these drugs is largely illegal and considered a criminal act.
According to section 20 of the NDPS Act, 1985, every person found guilty of possessing more than a small quantity but less than the commercial quantity (100g-1kg for hashish or charas, 1kg- 20kg of ganja) is sentenced rigorous imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine of ₹1 lakh or both. Having in possession of a commercial quantity (1kg for hashish or charas, 20kg of ganja) is punishable by imprisonment for up to 20 years and a fine of ₹2 lakh or both.
However, it is legal for Indian traders to invest in marijuana stocks since there are no laws against it.
How do I buy cannabis stocks?
- Choose a stock trading platform. If you’re a beginner, our table below can help you choose.
- Open your account. You’ll need to provide your personal details, government-issued ID and bank account information.
- Fund your account. Before you can start trading, you’ll need to fund your account with a bank transfer.
- Search for stocks. Use a stock screener to sort and filter stocks.
- Submit your order. Once you’ve found a security you’d like to buy, indicate how many you’d like to purchase and submit your order.
- Monitor your investments. Log in to your brokerage account to track the performance of your portfolio.
Cannabis stocks
At the time of writing, there is no cannabis-related stock listed in Indian exchanges that you can invest in. However, there are a number of major cannabis stocks listed in the US, for example Tilray Inc. (TLRY), Aurora Cannabis Inc. (ACB), Canopy Growth Corporation (CGC), GW Pharmaceuticals plc (GWPH) and Cronos Group Inc. (CRON). If you’re interested in international cannabis stocks, you’ll need a brokerage account that offers access to global or over-the-counter stocks.
What ETFs track the cannabis category?
ETFs contain a bundle of stocks, usually hundreds, and these often track an index of stocks. Though there is also no cannabis-related ETF listed in India, there are a handful of cannabis ETFs listed in the US.
- AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF (YOLO)
- Cambria Cannabis ETF (TOKE)
- ETFMG Alternative Harvest (MJ)
- Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences (OTC:HMLSF or TSX:HMMJ)
- The Cannabis ETF (THCX)
Why invest in cannabis stocks?
Despite its lack of legality in many parts of the world and some US states, cannabis remains a popular product.
In the US, medical marijuana was first legalised in California in 1996. And in 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalise the plant’s recreational use. Today, recreational marijuana is legal in 11 states and medical marijuana is permitted in 33 states.
The shift in attitude towards cannabis isn’t limited to the US. In 2018, Canada legalised recreational marijuana use across the country. And other international governments are reassessing their cannabis laws too, potentially paving the way for an explosion of new businesses.
On 2 December 2020, the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs loosened global controls on cannabis by voting to remove cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs — where it was listed alongside some of the world’s most dangerous and highly addictive drugs (e.g. cocaine and heroin). This is seen as a huge step forward for worldwide legalisation efforts.
So as more countries become accepting of medical and recreational marijuana use, the cannabis market grows. And as the cannabis market grows, so do sales, profits and company valuations.
Statista reports that in 2018, the global cannabis sector was worth US$13.8 billion. By 2025, it predicts the sector will swell to US$43 billion. The cannabis market is one poised for growth — and for investors, growth means profit.
Risks of investing in cannabis
Positive growth projections aside, cannabis may not be a practical addition to your portfolio. And that’s because this sector is riddled with risks — many of which stem from the legality issues that surround the product.
As laws that surround the legalisation of recreational marijuana continue to shift, investors must be wary about how high tax rates could impact the market. Tax rates have the potential to cripple cannabis providers in states that allow recreational marijuana because of how high consumers are taxed.
For example, in California, US, consumers are taxed close to 45% for recreational cannabis. With taxes that high, it’s little wonder that Golden State consumers turn to the black market to purchase their product, leaving cannabis providers high and dry.
On the other hand, cannabis is unlikely to be fully legalised in the next few years in some countries including India. This condition can also be one of the main barriers to the sector’s growth.
Financing for cannabis companies is also a concern, as cannabis companies are seen as high-risk merchants in the eyes of many financial institutions. As a result, many of these banks aren’t willing to provide essential banking services and funding must be found elsewhere. One way cannabis companies can raise funds is to issue common stock, but this dilutes the holdings of existing investors.
Overall, the cannabis market seems to be gaining traction. And for investors that can tolerate risk, this is an exciting prospect. But ultimately, the variables that factor into the profitability of this market are constantly in flux — and this sort of instability can lead to price volatility.
Compare trading platforms
Before you can buy cannabis stocks or ETFs, you’ll need to open a brokerage account. Explore your platform options below.
Marijuana products
While smoking weed is perhaps the most well-known use of cannabis, there are many types of businesses that are positioned to benefit from the growing sector. As more cannabis products are given the green light, we’ll see the market continue to expand. The legalisation of many of these products is new and in some cases, still underway:
- Medicinal products. Medicinal cannabis is used for the treatment of cancer pain, epilepsy, palliative care, chemotherapy nausea, neuropathic pain, anorexia and neurological conditions. Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a derivative of the marijuana plant that’s become increasingly popular for medical uses in recent years.
- Research. The scientific study of marijuana has accelerated in recent years with the discovery of many other beneficial compounds besides the psychoactive THC.
- Recreational use. Marijuana as a recreational drug is still illegal or restricted in many US states. That said, legalisation of both recreational and medical marijuana continues to roll out across the US. The plant is consumed to achieve feelings of relaxation or euphoria, but negative side effects have been reported, including headache, dizziness, nausea, delusions and hallucinations. Long-term use of the substance may cause cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS).
- Food products. Hemp is used as an ingredient in a range of products, including cooking oils, snacks, protein powder, cooking flour and more. The sale of food products made from hemp seeds was authorised under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.
- Building materials. Hemp is used in insulation and building construction materials under several names, including hempcrete, hemp masonry and hemplime.
- Clothing. Hemp is broadly recognised as one of the most sustainable materials available in the manufacture of clothing.
- Beauty products. Hemp is commonly used in various health and beauty products, such as moisturisers, lip balm, makeup and skin oils.
Marijuana vs. hemp
Unlike marijuana, hemp is not a narcotic. While hemp and marijuana both come from the cannabis plant, hemp has a lower component of the psychoactive THC — typically less than 0.3% — which means it has no psychoactive effects.
Typically, hemp is used in food products, building materials and textiles. Marijuana, on the other hand, is primarily used for medicinal and recreational purposes.
Bottom line
The legal cannabis sector is positioned to grow in the coming years and there are a number of ways to invest. But keep in mind that past performance is not a guarantee of profit and all investments come with inherent risks.
Explore your investment options across trading platforms and commodities before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Important information: Powered by finder.com. This information is general in nature and is no substitute for professional advice. It does not take into account your personal situation. This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, CFDs, options or any specific provider, service or offering. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks, ETFs and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for most investors. You do not own or have any interest in the underlying asset. Capital is at risk, including the risk of losing more than the amount originally put in, market volatility and liquidity risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Tax on profits may apply. Consider your own circumstances, including whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money and possess the relevant experience and knowledge. We recommend that you obtain independent advice from a suitably licensed financial advisor before making any trades.
More guides on Finder
-
Best trading app in India for 2023
Compare share trading apps to find out which app has all the tools and resources you need to reach your investment goals.
-
Bajaj Finserv Securities review
Bajaj Finserv offers personalised investment solutions to meet your trading needs.
-
Axis Direct review
Axis Direct offers a 3-in-1 trading account to help you diversify your portfolio.
-
How India will be investing in 2022
Finder’s Retail Investor Sentiment Report polled 39,573 Internet users across 26 countries to see how they’ll be investing their money in 2022.
-
How to invest in the S&P 500 from India
Find out the different ways you can invest in the S&P 500, one of the world’s most popular stock market indices.
-
How to invest money
Learn the basics of what it takes for novices to get started in the investment world in India, including an overview of your options and what to watch out for.
-
How to buy Rivian Automotive (RIVN) shares
Steps to owning and managing Rivian Automotive Inc, with 24-hour and historical pricing before you buy.
-
How to buy N/A (N/A) shares
Steps to owning and managing N/A, with 24-hour and historical pricing before you buy.
-
How to buy Bitcoin ETFs from India
Bitcoin ETFs are coming to market. Here’s how you can invest in them.
-
How to invest in coffee in India
This highly traded commodity can help diversify your portfolio. But consider unpredictable risks before investing in this daily bean.
