Canada

CBD-based drinks have experienced a surge in popularity over the last year, and are expected to exceed $1.4 billion in the U.S. in 2023, according to Zenith Global.

The deal between Canopy Growth Corp (NYSE:CGC) (TSX:WEED) and Acreage Holdings, Inc. (CSE:ACRG.U) is contingent on the U.S. making cannabis legally federally. However, the deal could be dead in the water long before that happens.

Short supply, low quality, high prices, and long line ups at stores have plagued the legal market pushing almost 80 per cent of cannabis purchases to stay in the black market, according to data collected by Statistics Canada for the last quarter of 2018.

Statistics Canada released updated numbers for its National Cannabis Survey, which looked at usage during the first quarter of 2019. Here are the key takeaways from the report.

Fire & Flower Holdings Corp (TSX-V:FAF) four cannabis retailers in the province of in Saskatchewan.

Canopy Growth Corp (NYSE:CGC)(TSX:WEED) expands reach into Europe with a $342.9 million acquisition of medical cannabis company C3, based in Germany C3.

Acreage Holdings Inc (CSE:ACRG.U) knows that its deal with Canopy Growth Corp (NYSE:CGC)(TSX:WEED) is complicated. That's why a FAQ section has been made available on its investor relations website to help investors understand more about the transaction.

Sproutly Canada, Inc. (CSE:SPR)(OTCQB:SRUTF) has reached an agreement with Moosehead Breweries Limited to form a joint venture to work on developing and producing cannabis beverages.

Green Relief Inc. could be an intriguing investment opportunity when it inevitably IPO's.

Zenabis Global Inc (TSX-V:ZENA) announced it is partnering with a pharmaceutical company based out of Germany, Farmako. The two companies are going to be working together on a couple of initiatives, including selling CBD isolate oil in Canada along with selling cannabis to the German medical market.

Pot stocks are still in their early growth stages. And while sales are high, so too are expenses, which is not a good recipe for financial statements. Many companies are bleeding cash and are nowhere near profitability. However, that hasn't stopped the hype from carrying stocks to sky-high valuations and investors from getting into a frenzy about the growth prospects for the industry.

OrganiGram Holdings Inc (TSX-V:OGI) announced that it has completed an application to have its shares traded on the NASDAQ.

We take a look at some of the cannabis companies redefining North America's cannabis retail experience.

The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd (TSX:TGOD) announced last week that its facility in Hamilton, Ontario received a license from Health Canada to sell cannabis oil.

The drama between Green Growth Brands Ltd (CSE:GGB) and Aphria Inc (NYSE:APHA)(TSX:APHA) has dragged on for far too long.

Aurora Cannabis Inc (NYSE:ACB)(TSX:ACB) announced it has entered into an agreement with EnWave Corporation (TSX-V:ENW) to use its Radiant Energy Vacuum (REV) technology.

Acreage Holdings Inc. (CSE:ACRG.U) is already benefiting from a deal that hasn't even gone through. Recently, we learned that Canopy Growth Corp (NYSE:CGC)(TSX:WEED) was going to acquire Acreage but that the purchase would be contingent on marijuana first being legalized federally in the U.S. While that seems like a long ways away, that doesn't mean it hasn't been yielding results for Acreage already.

Aurora Cannabis Inc (NYSE:ACB)(TSX:ACB) has caused issues with some of its neighbours regarding the smell that comes along with producing marijuana. And because Aurora Cannabis wants to be a good neighbour, it's working on trying to do what it can to minimize the impact.

With concerns of another rollout potentially in danger of falling flat, the Cannabis Beverage Producers Alliances has been formed by cannabis and alcohol companies. The group includes both Molson Coors Canada (TSX:TPX.B) and Hexo Corp (TSX:HEXO), which are working together under a joint venture. A total of 10 companies are included in the Alliance.

Delta 9 Cannabis (TSX-V:NINE) reported its quarterly earnings late Monday night. Revenues of $5.27 million for the quarter were 17 times the total that The Company recorded a year ago of just $302,284. Not only did Delta 9 show significant sales growth from last year, but even from Q3, which didn't include a full quarter of recreational sales. Revenues were more than quadruple the $1.25 million that was generated in the previous quarter. There was tremendous growth in Delta 9's top line that's sure to continue as we see the industry continue to grow.

Cannabis investors have yet another option for a marijuana ETF. AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF (NYSE Arca:YOLO) is actively managed and contains a mix of both U.S. and Canadian stocks. The ETF began trading last week on the NYSE Arca Exchange and as of yesterday held 23 different stocks.

Let's look at who the top five cannabis companies in terms of sales, and then relate that to their market caps to see which ones are more reasonably priced.

CannTrust Holdings Inc (NYSE:CTST)(TSX:TRST) released an update on Monday on how The Company did during its most recent quarter, which ended March 31.

Zenabis Global Inc (TSX-V:ZENA) announced on Monday that The Company had received conditional approval to move to the TSX from the Venture Exchange.

Aurora Cannabis Inc (NYSE:ACB)(TSX:ACB) is launching a new competition that will be sure to be a big hit with the cannabis industry and budtenders across the country. In what The Company is calling a 'national competition,' Aurora is searching for the 'Top Budmaster' in Canada.

Canopy Growth Corp (NYSE:CGC)(TSX:WEED) Co-CEO Bruce Linton never lacks confidence. His latest projection of where The Company is headed, however, might be a little much, even for him.

Cannabis-infused beverages are a lot of the hype this year. As more States legalize edibles and Canada set to allow them later this year, it's a segment of the industry that's going to take off - soon. According to Zenith Global, cannabis drinks reached $86 million in sales in 2018 for the U.S. market. However, by 2023, it estimates that number will jump to $1.4 billion.

There is a big bill circulating the U.S. government that could have a big impact on the cannabis industry. The Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) Act could lead to significant opportunities in the U.S. It could help open the door to more consolidation of U.S. and Canadian operations and lead to more mergers and acquisitions. Here are five companies to watch for if the bill passes.

National Access Cannabis Corp (NAC) (TSX-V:META) released its second-quarter results on Tuesday. Sales for the company's first full quarter where the recreational market was open were significant, coming in at over $16.2 million. In the previous quarter, sales were $3.8 million for the three months ending November 30.

On April 18, investors will have the opportunity to invest in a new marijuana ETF, the first that focuses on U.S. pot stocks.

The last time Canopy Growth Corp (TSX:WEED)(NYSE:CGC) was trading this low was back in January. Although it was beginning to look like 2019 was going to be a strong year for The Company, we've seen the market start to have some doubts about it as over the past weeks Canopy Growth's stock price has started to falter.

OrganiGram Holdings Inc (TSX-V:OGI) released its Q2 results on Monday. Net revenues of $26.9 million were about eight times the sales that The Company generated a year ago, which totalled just $3.4 million. However, despite the incredible sales growth, OrganiGram's bottom line finished in the red with a loss of $6.4 million compared to a profit of $1.2 million in the prior year.

With financings abound, we provide an update on the expansion plans of some of the most ambitious vertically integrated cannabis companies.

Aphria Inc (TSX:APHA)(NYSE:APHA) released its third-quarter results on Monday, showing significant growth for the quarter. For the period ending February 28, which included a full three months of the recreational market, net revenues reached just under $74 million. That's an increase of 617% from the prior year when sales were just $10 million.

Canopy Growth Corp (TSX:WEED)(NYSE:CGC) joins the S&P/TSX 60. It's another big first for the cannabis industry as it continues to gain credibility among investors.