HEMP IS MAKING A COMEBACK
It's not as sexy as marijuana but it has a lot of versatility in the marketplace as far as products and uses. It even caters to the granola crowd who want the latest fashions that are Eco friendly in hemp made clothing, footwear and outerwear as well as being a super food in the popular hemp hearts. When you seek out these products you will quickly find it's not a cheaper option and in most cases you are paying a premium for this type of product, however, consumers don't seem to care.
Another aspect of hemp that is being tapped into is the medicinal side of how its derivatives can be used. Hemp oil and resin are now entering a new and growing lucrative movement around the globe as groups lobby to change past stigma and legal issues surrounding it's use. The media has now zeroed in on ways marijuana and hemp can fit into mainstream medical use and this has even spawned new reality shows that are gaining a larger following each day. I have often thought the biggest thing holding back some of these products from full blown grow operations and sales is that the government hasn't worked out how to fully tap us for heavy taxes along the road. The government is a quick learner though and you will quickly see them step in as the white knight, when in reality you are helping them line their pockets as well. From a legal and health standpoint though we need checks and balances as well as quality control so I welcome these steps. Unfortunately the people in need of marijuana related products may not have the time necessary required to save or better their lives.
I won't go into great detail on the other uses for hemp but they are rope, cloth, pulp, paper, and fuel. I don't typically delve into where a company may go with their product options but rather where they may be short term as far as investing goes. I recently invested again in Global Hemp Group (GHG:CSE) after watching it slowly sink into an abyss. The share price sank for a variety of reasons but some seemed to involve geopolitical events near there major operations. The past 60 days the trend may be reversing on their share price as I have noticed increased activity on the inter-day trading. This stock was very quiet and dare I say dormant and usually sleeping dogs lie until they die but this refused to die.
Recently Global Hemp Group signed a Letter of Intent to acquire 100% of Skunk Magazine, a well known publication in the Cannabis space. Founded in 2005, Skunk Magazine (“SM”) is a Canadian, paper based, cannabis focused magazine offering feature articles about cannabis cultivation, legislation, medical and adult use of cannabis, the sustainable and social solutions that hemp offers, and exposing the secrets of the worldwide “War on Drugs”. Historically, advertisers in SM have mainly been cannabis breeders and suppliers of growing equipment. The upcoming expansion of the content to include hemp, environmental and social subject matter will significantly expand Skunk’s advertiser base to new markets. SM which has a wide readership base in North America through hard copy subscription and newsstand sales, is now expanding online and will include an online store, Skunk TV, blogs, as well as original feature articles on a much more broad range of subjects.
In the past 6 weeks the company has added some key Strategic Advisors that may add color to where this story is going.
Mary Patton’s experience in the cannabis industry is storied and extensive. Since her humble beginnings as a volunteer at legalization rallies in the Midwest in the late ’80s, she has been on a mission to improve cannabis laws. Harnessing the power of the entertainment industry as a platform to influence public perception whenever possible, eventually led her to positions with The Marijuana Policy Project, Governor Gary Johnson’s Our America Initiative and his 2012 Presidential campaign, where she continued to put high profile celebrities and influential leaders in the spotlight to amplify the message of sensible cannabis policy reform. Mary continues to contribute her expertise to numerous cannabis industry leaders and non-profit groups. Most recently she has been working with policy reform groups on the California ballot initiative to legalize adult recreational use in 2016, in addition to working with actor, Tommy Chong and the Dutch rolling company, Futurola on the launch of their new line of co-branded rolling equipment.
Dr. Gerry Bedore, the President of Cannabis State University, is widely known as a thought-leader in technology enhanced learning models. Dr. Bedore was a Co-Founder of Socrates Distance Learning Technology Group, and has published studies and books focused on online student success and completion rates. He is recognized in developing many of the most successful higher education online programs in the world today. As a Horticulturist for the State of Georgia, Dr. Bedore was recognized for his expertise in entomology and pathology in the care of plant life in the State of Georgia. He has authored one book, co-authored two books, and has served as a Research Chair and Committee Member for 200+ studies in Education, Psychology, and Business Disciplines. Dr. Bedore served in the role as President of the Art Institute Online, Vice-President of Academic Affairs for Education Management Corporation, the Assistant Dean of Education for Argosy University, and the Assistant Dean for Doctoral Programs for Argosy University programs. He has provided online learning expertise to the Department of the Navy, Department of the Army, Motorola University, Sylvan Learning Systems, and many other organizations and universities around the world. Dr. Bedore is actively involved in academic research, teaching, and continually working on developing plant based solutions in addressing the complex medical challenges of our day.
Robert Calkin’s experience in the cannabis industry is deep and broad. He founded CannaWorx, Inc., which owns and operates the Cannabis Career Institute, founded in 2009 and Cannabis State University, founded in 2010. He has also written the curriculum for Oakland’s Oaksterdam University, which was the basis for his 2008 cannabis entrepreneurship bible “Starting Your Own Medical Marijuana Delivery Service: The Mobile Caregiver’s Handbook.” He is currently the instructor of Delivery 102 at Oaksterdam University. In 2011, Mr. Calkin created the industry’s leading job listing and business development resource, Cannajobs.com, the most comprehensive online source for news and information relating to the medical cannabis industry. Mr. Calkin’s experience, knowledge and extensive network in the cannabis industry will be invaluable to the Company as it embarks on cannabis related projects going forward.
Gabriel Gauthier is a pioneer in Canada in hemp construction. He brings to GHG a depth of experience and expertise in both hemp construction and hemp farming. Initially trained in landscape design, he then went to France for three years to train with Hemp Master Builders. After a two-year stint with Quebec’s farm credit system, in 2003 he started his own hemp building company, ArtCan Enterprises. To date, they have undertaken more than 100 building and renovation projects using hemp technologies. In 2012, he expanded his interest to hemp cultivation and provided consulting services to prospective hemp farmers. He joined Groupe Orvert Ltd, a Quebec based company promoting hemp cultivation and processing, who’s present activities focus on importing selected hemp seed to develop hemp production, then transforming the hemp to high value products. In this partnership, he farms about 250 ha in Quebec in association with a number of other farmers. Mr. Gauthier’s experience and knowledge in hemp cultivation, processing and construction will be an important addition to the Company.
The Company is focused on acquiring and/or joint venturing with companies across all sectors of the hemp and cannabis industries in an effort to build a “soil-to-shelf” portfolio of complementary companies that will enable GHG to capture cash flow, revenues and value from its acquisitions and establish a far greater collective valuation than GHG or the individual companies would have on their own. http://globalhempgroup.com/company/
Disclosure: I am invested in Global Hemp Group GHG on the CSE.
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