The marijuana story is quickly growing like a weed.
Canada just approved its use this year. The global community is embracing its medicinal benefits. More U.S. states are jumping on board with approval
And corporate America is quickly jumping on the bandwagon.
We already know alcohol companies like Constellation Brands invested $4 billion in Canopy Growth. Molson Coors even listed legal cannabis among the biggest possible risks to its business in its annual shareholder report.
Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD) looks to be jumping on the bandwagon, too.
In fact, it just partnered with cannabis company, Tilray Inc. in a $100 million deal to research cannabis-infused drinks for the Canadian market. Tilray Inc. also just announced a global partnership with Sandoz AG, a division of Novartis to develop and distribute medical marijuana around the globe.
Then Altria announced a 45% stake in Cronos Group.
The question now – who will partner next? Here are three potential targets.
Hot Pot Stock No. 1 – Aphria (APHA)
The stock may have pulled back in recent weeks thanks to the market pullback, and a short-seller report. However, it could still see a partnership. For one, it’s expected to be one of the biggest cannabis growers with potential peak annual production of 255,000 kilograms.
And two, the company just added Tom Looney to its Board of Directors. He spent the last three decades in the alcohol industry, most notably as the President of Diageo’s U.S. Spirits and Canada division. Diageo has also been rumored to be seeking a cannabis partner.
Hot Pot Stock No. 2 – Aurora Cannabis (ACB)
The company has been forecasting 570,000 kilograms of peak yearly output. There are reports that it could eventually yield up to a million kilograms of cannabis per year. While a partnership with Coca-Cola never materialized, such production targets could open the company up for likely partnerships.
Hot Stock No. 3 – Tilray Inc. (TLRY)
After signing deals with Anheuser-Busch InBev and Sandoz AG, we believe many more deals are in story for Tilray Inc. With Sandoz AG’s major global presence, TLRY can compete more effectively in international markets, including Australia, Germany and the United Kingdom. It also gives TLRY considerable credibility in the global cannabis industry.
“Tilray has a defensible competitive position as an early leader, with its partnership with Privateer offering ability to leverage established and recognizable U.S. brands,” analysts at Cowen said in an August 2018 note.
The investment bank thinks Tilray can capture about 7.6% of the Canadian cannabis market.
Two, TLRY appeared to be in good shape at the time.
Not only does it have ample production capacity, it expected to have 912,000 sq. ft. of growing space by the close of 2018, it also had supply-agreements in British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, and Yukon with a medical marijuana agreement in place with Novartis. At 912,000 sq. ft., the company would be right behind Aphria Inc., which had over one million sq. ft. of growing space at the time.
