The discussion around marijuana has undergone great social, legal, and economic changes in the last few years: From Reefer Madness to hot new investing fad.
Think marijuana is missing from your portfolio? Read this first…
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More than 165,000 people are estimated to be employed in cannabis-related jobs. That number could increase to 630,000 by 20253.
The marijuana industry is governed by a patchwork of state laws and remains illegal and classified as a Schedule I narcotic (the same category as cocaine and heroin) at the federal level. That means every producer, retailer, and consumer of marijuana is breaking federal law. Although the feds have largely taken a hands-off approach to its enforcement, until marijuana is fully legalized across the U.S., the industry exists on shaky legal ground.
Even though the U.S. and many other countries have been swept by a wave of decriminalization and legalization, political opinions can change in the blink of an eye. This political uncertainty makes the future of the industry challenging and leaves investors with many doubts.
Due to marijuana's federal status, many banks and financial companies do not want to be involved. Handling money from marijuana-related transactions can be considered money laundering, and federal agents can seize the collateral that backs a business loan. As a result, an estimated 70% of cannabis-related businesses operate without bank accounts. Theft of cash, poor accounting controls, and the lack of credit may limit the industry's growth potential.
The marijuana industry is very new, and emerging markets are characterized by increased risk and volatility. It's common for new companies to start and fail or leave investors with holdings that they can't liquidate. This environment is very risky for investors.
"New industries and technology are always fun to talk about, but they rarely make good investments."
Charlie Shinneman
Investment fads come and go, and marijuana has become part of the national discussion. When trends become part of everyday cocktail chatter, it can be tempting to put your money where your mouth is.
However, the cannabis industry just isn't a safe place for investors. Until the political, financial, and regulatory issues are resolved, the industry's future is highly uncertain.
New industries and new technology are always fun to talk about, but they rarely make for good investments. They're far too speculative.
My team and I are always on the lookout for interesting trends and good investment opportunities for our clients. We may reach out to you as we come across any such opportunity and we'll discuss them during our annual reviews with you.
If you ever have questions about something you hear in the news or are wondering about a new investment idea, come and talk to me about it. I like knowing what's on your mind, and I like to keep on top of what's going on in your financial life.
Thanks for reading,