Debra Borchardt
The Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences ETF recently added four names to the fund’s portfolio. The ETF also took the word Medical out of the title in order to be able to expand and take advantage of companies in the recreational side of the legal marijuana industry. As part of the addition of these new names, the fund also reduced its positions in Insys Therapeutics (NASDAQ:INSY) and Zynerba Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ZYNE). So here then are the four companies that have joined the ETF.
The largest position of the new names is Arena Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ARNA) with a 1.82% weighting. Arena isn’t a name that typically gets included in the family of cannabis drugs. The company targets ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, it has been doing some reasearch and posted positive Phase 1 data for its cannabinoid 2 receptor pain drug. The company hopes that by using the CB2 receptor, patients will get pain relief without the psychotopic effects that happen with marijuana. The drug APD371 is expected to deliver data from a Phase 2 study by the end of this year.
Invictus MD Strategies Corp. (CVE:IMH) has a 1.75% position. This Canadian company has been acquring entities involved in medical marijuana. According to its website, the company has “secured one of the strongest cultivation profiles in the country, supported by over 250 acres of production capacity.” The company recently raised $25 million and its AB Labs conducted its first harvest with favorable results and the company said it will apply for its pre-sales inspection. Its Acreage Pharms is a licensed producer that began cultivation in May in an existing 6,800 square foot facility with an expansion plan for an additional 27,400 square feet. Acreage Pharms will produce extracts or oil based products.
Maricann Group (OTC:MCRRF) is now 1.64% of the portfolio and is another Canadian medical marijuana company that was initially founded in 2013. The company recently received $32.2 million to increase production in Germany. It owns a 100-acre property in Ontario and cultivation takes place in a 34,000 square foot greenhouse operation. The company is adding another 217,000 square feet to its Canadian foot print that is expected to be compketed this October. In Germany, Maricann found a facility near Dresden Germany. In addition to its medical marijuana, the company is also producing a non-THC or lowTHC hemp that has high levels of cannabinoids.
ABcann Global Corp. (OTC:ABCCF) rounds up the bottom with a 1.40% position. It is also a Canadian company that grows medical marijuana and was one of the first to become a licensed producer. It grow plants in small quantities in smaller rooms to better control the product’s consistency. On July 10, it was announced that Cannabis Wheaton greed to purchase $15 million of ABcann common shares for $2.25 as part of a larger $30 million investment into the company. The remaning $15 million could come as late as May of 2018. The money will be used to fully fund the construction of an additional 50,000 square feet at the ABcann Kimmett Facility.
Arena Pharmaceuticals ARNA
Invictus MD Strategies IMH
Abcann Global Co MARI
Maricann Group Inc. ABCN
