A $22.6 Billion Industry Is Cooking Up
Following yesterday’s announcement that marijuana producer Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX:ACB) will buy competitor CanniMed Therapeutics Inc. (TSX:CMED) in a $1.1 billion dollar deal, the Canadian cannabis industry is set for a major shakeup ahead of the pending legalization this July.
According to a report by Deloitte, this is a $22.6 billion industry in the making. A number of cannabis companies have seen their values grow exponentially over the past year. Several takeovers have also gone down like the Aurora-CanniMed merger deal to consolidate the market, setting up the major players to meet the rising marijuana demands both domestically and internationally.
Source: Deloitte
In light of the latest development, the following list details the potential top 10 cannabis producers — including four of the biggest ones right now — that will shape up this booming market moving forward.
- Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX:ACB)
The acquisition of CanniMed would make Aurora the largest marijuana producer in the world. Currently, Aurora’s market cap stands at $6.13 billion, but it could rise to $7.8 billion following completion of the merger.
Aurora currently operates a 55,200-square-foot production facility in Aurora Mountain, Alberta, as well as a second facility of 40,000 square feet in Pointe-Claire, Quebec. Furthermore, the company is constructing a third, 800,000-square-foot facility at the Edmonton International Airport.
Recently, Aurora won a highly competitive EU public tender to supply medical cannabis to Italy. Over the past 12 months, Aurora’s stock went up by 460%.
- Canopy Growth Corp. (TSX:WEED)
With a market cap of $6.36 billion, Canopy Growth is currently the biggest cannabis company in Canada, but it would move down to No. 2 once the Aurora-CanniMed deal materializes.
The company’s main brand is Tweed, which it claims to be the most recognized marijuana brand in the world. It has established several joint venture partnerships around the world, including Australia, Brazil, and Germany. Canopy Growth saw its shares rise by nearly 230% over the past year. Its most recent significant movement was on January 9, when the stock jumped by 17.24%.
- Aphria Inc. (TSX:APH)
Sitting in third spot is Aphria, boasting a market cap of $3.11 billion. The company recently acquired fellow producer Broken Coast Cannabis for approximately $230 million and invested $12.5 million into DOJA Cannabis Company Ltd. (CSE:DOJA), a B.C.-based cannabis lifestyle brand. Its shares rose from about $5.00 a share from the beginning of 2017 to its current price of $19.40.
- The Cronos Group (TSX-V:MJN)
Formerly PharmaCan Capital Corp., Cronos Group operates two licensed producers under Health Canada regulations. The licensed producers collectively own over 125 acres of agricultural land. It also holds equity positions in other cannabis producers including Whistler Medical Marijuana, Hydropothecary, and Abcann Medicinals. Currently, the company’s market cap is at $1.62 billion. Its stock price increased by 470% year to date.
Rounding out the top 10 list are the following companies:
- Emerald Health Therapeutics Inc. (TSX-V:EMH) — Market Cap: $957 Million
Emerald Health currently operates an indoor facility in Victoria, B.C., and is building a 500,000-square-foot greenhouse on 32 acres in Vancouver.
- OrganiGram Holdings Inc. (TSX-V:OGI) — Market Cap: $669 Million
OrganiGram currently operates an indoor facility in Moncton, New Brunswick. The company recently signed an agreement to supply at least one million grams of recreational marijuana per year to Prince Edward Island.
- The Supreme Cannabis Company Inc. (TSX-V:FIRE) — Market Cap: $639 Million
Formerly Supreme Pharmaceuticals Inc., the company owns a 342,000-square-foot hybrid greenhouse facility. It recently entered a supply agreement with Namaste Technologies Inc. (CSE:N) for 1,000 kilograms of premium-quality medical cannabis in 2018.
- DOJA Cannabis Company Ltd. (CSE:DOJA) — Market Cap: $251 Million
The B.C.-based DOJA Cannabis is currently focused on building a cannabis lifestyle brand. The company recently announced that it will merge with Tokyo Brands and rename the business to Hiku Brands Company Ltd.
- THC Biomed Intl Ltd. (CSE:THC) — Market Cap: $228 Million
THC Biomed is focused on research and development of products and services related to the marijuana industry.
- Emblem Corp. (TSX-V:EMC) — Market Cap: $187 Million
Emblem’s cannabis operations are currently based in Paris, Ontario. It recently announced a $50 million financing to fund its growth strategies.
Featured Image: NyDaily
