Great read...

Great read below:
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I think it's safe to say that pot stocks are once again anattractive investment. This time around though, it appears to be a far morelow-key affair. Or at least, it is for now...

Compared to 2017/18 we’re notseeing quite the same mainstream frenzy. At least, this is the case inAustralia.

The argument for pot stockshasn’t changed from the 2018 bubble. It’s just that the regulatory and legalbarriers are taking longer to overcome than many thought, myself included.

Because while it is technicallypossible to get your hands on prescription cannabis in Australia, in reality itisn’t all that easy.

As a recent survey from theUniversity of Sydney found: most users are still relying on the black market.Inferring that legal procurement of the drug just isn’t up to par. And whilethe rate of prescriptions is improving, it is still far from ideal.

As of 30 November, over 80,000applications for medicinal cannabis have been approved according to the TGA.But that figure is still a far cry from the estimated 600,000 people who areusing the drug for medical reasons.

It is this bureaucratic dividethat has long stifled the pot stock boom. Inhibiting supply despite theoverwhelming evidence of demand.

A barrier that continues to setback the industry right around the world.

Sadly, that’s just the reality ofthings. A fact that I and all our pot stocks have had to grapple with.

Despite the challenges though,progress is being made. Both locally and globally.

UN overturns half a century of demonisation

The highlight of last week has tobe the news that the UN has reclassified cannabis.

Since the inaugural Convention onNarcotic Drugs the UN has deemed cannabis as a schedule IV drug. Listing italongside substances like heroin in terms of its health risks.

Now, as of last Wednesday,cannabis has been successfully reclassified as schedule I. Meaning that it isstill considered a restricted substance, but one that possesses potentialtherapeutic benefits. Opening up the possibility for further research andmedicinal use.

Exactly the kind of bureaucraticbox-checking that cannabis needs. Because the faster these global bodies andgovernments realise that cannabis can be a force for good, the faster peoplecan get their hands on them.

As the UN news website notes:

‘Moreover,according to news reports, the decision could also drive additional scientificresearch into the plant’s long-heralded medicinal properties and act ascatalyst for countries to legalize the drug for medicinal use, and reconsiderlaws on its recreational use.’

Obviously this would be an idealoutcome, but it is purely speculation for now. At the very least though, itputs the idea front of mind once more for many countries.

Adding to this, we also saw theUS House of Representatives pass a bill to decriminalise cannabis last week. Achange that would negate all past, present, and future convictions centred onthe drug.

It’s the first time since 1970that the US government has voted on ending the ban on cannabis. Anotherlandmark move from a pivotal player in the broader industry. After all, at astate level, the US has embraced cannabis across much of the nation. Both medicinallyand recreationally.

Again, it is a symbolic move, butone that is still important in the long run. Especially as Biden progressestowards the presidency, with a Senate runoff vote to decide the balance ofpower early next year.

That could see 2021 become a verypositive year for pot stocks indeed.

TGA prepares a potential Christmas gift for pot stocks

The Therapeutic GoodsAdministration (TGA) has spent much of 2020 debating the future of CBD — one ofthe two key ingredients in cannabis that isn’t responsible for the psychoactive effects. A substance that has shown great promise for its therapeutic benefits with few side effects.

That’s why back in April, the TGAbegan consulting about proposed changes to access for CBD. Potentially evenmaking it possible to get access to certain formulations without aprescription. Effectively making it an ‘over-the-counter' drug that anyone canpurchase from a pharmacy.

Keep in mind, this is purely forCBD products — not cannabis as a whole.

These drugs can’t and won’t causeany psychoactive high. They’re purely for medicinal use.

A decision on this matter was setto be made on 25 November. But, in the report released on that date, the TGAconfirmed the final ruling wouldn’t be made until ‘late December’.

But if it passes, it will be a huge outcome for some of ourlocal pot stocks. Making it far easier to market and sell their medicinalproducts to consumers. With a favourable ruling set to be implemented by 1 June2021.

watch this fly if the TGA decision is favourable