How to Invest in Marijuana Stocks

Despite the connotations associated with “marijuana,” stocks in marijuana companies are becoming more and more readily available for investors. In fact, you now can even invest in marijuana stocks through a normal brokerage account. However, just like any other type of stock, these can be risky, even if market growth is encouraging. If you need help investing in marijuana stocks or any other investments, consider working with a local financial advisor.

How to Invest in Marijuana Stocks

The simplest way to purchase publicly traded marijuana stocks is to open a brokerage account. After you’ve established how much you can afford to spend, you’ll be ready to register and fund your account. In addition, whether it’s exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or stocks that you’re interested in, you’ll have a range of investment options to choose from.

When choosing a brokerage to open an account with, consider what features you find most important. For example, some brokerages specialize in simplified mobile/online trading, whereas others offer extensive stock market tools that you can use for analysis. Here are a few popular options to get you started:

If you’re new to investing or you don’t have a ton of time to devote to it, a financial advisor may be able to help. Advisors typically specialize in different types of investments, strategies and markets, so try to find one who aligns with your needs. Also, make sure you do your research on the various types of financial advisor fees. If you need help choosing an advisor, SmartAsset’s free financial advisor matching tool can help.

Overview of the Marijuana Industry

Most companies in the marijuana industry fall under one of three categories: marijuana growers/producers, cannabis-focused drug-makers and ancillary product/service providers. Here’s a breakdown of each major area within the market:

The marijuana industry is growing rapidly, as more and more states legalize the drug on both a medicinal and recreational level. Just like any other burgeoning industry, the marijuana market is attracting plenty of investors.

If you’re looking to buy equity in a marijuana-centric company, make sure you understand the market. Both marijuana products and marijuana stocks fall into different categories. In addition, though the product is now legal in many states, cannabis is still federally illegal. Therefore, this poses considerable legal risk for investors.

However, you’ll have a range of companies to choose from when purchasing marijuana stocks. In fact, some of the most popular Nasdaq-listed U.S. and Canadian marijuana stocks include Terra Tech Corp (TRTC), Aurora Cannabis Inc. (ACB), Cara Therapeutics (CARA) and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG).

Types of Marijuana Products

Marijuana generally falls into two different categories: medical and recreational. While medical cannabis is legal in 33 states, Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, recreational use is only legally permitted in 11 states and D.C.

In addition, other types of cannabis products fall under the umbrella of the marijuana market. Some of the most common medical marijuana products include cannabidiol (CBD) or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Both CBD and THC are naturally occurring compounds, and they are usually used to treat illnesses such as chemotherapy-induced anorexia, nausea or vomiting. Recreational marijuana, on the other hand, is usually ingested either through smoking the cannabis plant or through consuming cannabis edibles.

Risks of Investing in Marijuana

Because marijuana is still federally illegal in the U.S., the market poses notable risk to those looking to become shareholders. This risk applies not only to those in states that haven’t legalized the sale of marijuana, but also to those in states that have. This means that businesses currently growing and supplying cannabisd products are subject to possible federal intervention.

Investors should also acknowledge the risks that come with purchasing over-the-counter (OTC) marijuana stocks. U.S. companies, under stock exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, have to fulfill certain requirements in order maintain membership. This typically translates to regular financial filings and minimum shareholder size requirements. Companies offering OTC marijuana stocks, on the other hand, don’t have to meet such requirements. Therefore, you should carefully assess factors such as a company’s market cap value and total assets before buying stock.

The industry also faces investment fraud and schemes facilitated by scammers. In fact, the SEC has issued warnings to investors in regard to market manipulation and scams. Because the cannabis industry is still relatively new, you should keep these risks in mind as you think about your long-term savings goals.

Bottom Line: Should You Invest in Marijuana Stocks?

Though the marijuana industry is a relatively new and upcoming market, it’s still wise to conduct thorough research before purchasing shares. You should also weigh the risks associated with investing and whether your current holdings can withstand a potentially volatile pursuit. In addition, be sure to carefully determine how your portfolio may be affected by an industry still facing potential legal intervention.

Tips for Growing Your Investments

• If you need help improving your investment returns, consider getting a financial advisor. Finding a financial advisor is much easier with SmartAsset’s free matching tool. So if you’re ready to get paired with up to three advisors in your area, get started now.
• Stocks are one of the riskier investment types, so it’s essential that you have some incoming knowledge prior to investing in them. In fact, go beyond just stocks to get a better idea of the investment market at large. As a starting point, check out SmartAsset’s guide to investment types.

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