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Spotlight on Colorado’s Cannabis Market

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History of US Cannabis Prohibition Part 1 of 5
The World's largest cannabis markets Part 2 of 5
A guide to cannabis in the US Part 3 of 5
Spotlight on Colorado's Cannabis Market 4 of 5
Legal vs. Illegal: an overview of the cannabis market Part 5 of 5

The following content is sponsored by Tenacious Labs.

Colorado Cannabis Spotlight

Spotlight on Colorado’s Cannabis Market

In 2014, Colorado made history by being the first state to have the sale of legal recreational cannabis take place. Once considered unchartered territory, the state has since established itself as a mature and prospering legal market.

And as various governments explore the possibilities around cannabis legalization, policymakers likely consider Colorado’s journey as one to potentially emulate in order to reach some of the same longer-term outcomes that have materialized.

The following sponsored graphic from Tenacious Labs provides a spotlight analysis of the Colorado cannabis market, and looks at defining trends and key developments that have occurred during the last eight years.

Zooming in on Sales and Tax Revenue

From a fiscal perspective, cannabis legalization has been a hit for the state of Colorado. Since it started in 2014, Colorado has generated over $2 billion in tax and fee revenue from the legal cannabis space.

Here’s a look at the growing tax revenues, which started from a modest $46 million and have surged nearly 10x.

YearTax Revenue Generated ($M)
2014$46.1
2015$104.7
2016$164.1
2017$220.6
2018$243.4
2019$279.1
2020$362.0
2021$396.1

Moreover, cannabis sales are still increasing. The year 2021 was a record year which generated $2.2 billion in revenue.

Given the rise in debts most governments have incurred in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, new sources of revenue and taxation, and rising ones at that, are attractive and may act (Read more...)

Catching the Growth of the Cannabis Industry

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The following content is sponsored by eToro

Cannabis future infographic

Catching the Growth of the Cannabis Industry

The global stance on cannabis is changing rapidly.

With a wave of medical and recreational legalization occurring, there are now 70 countries with some form of legalization. As billions of investment dollars pour in, the cannabis industry finds itself entering a brand new chapter.

This infographic from eToro provides key information for investors on how the global cannabis market is making significant strides forward.

The World’s Legal Cannabis Markets

In just a few short years since legalization momentum kicked off, societal views on cannabis have changed tremendously. Examples of this include:

  • Dispensaries being deemed essential businesses during the pandemic.
  • Uber announcing its intention to incorporate cannabis deliveries.
  • Malta becoming the first country to legalize cannabis in Europe for recreational use.

This shifting dynamic is part of why the global cannabis industry now generates over $20 billion in legal recreational sales on an annual basis.

The title for the world’s largest cannabis market belongs to the U.S.—generating more than $16 billion in sales in 2020. However, their regulatory landscape is also one of the trickiest to navigate, as federal legalization has yet to occur despite over 30 states having legalized cannabis in some form.

While this unique situation leaves a lot of potential money off the table, it also provides lots of potential upside for the industry should legalization trends persist. In 2022, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Delaware are considered likely to legalize, which would take the small (Read more...)

Cannabis and Alcohol: An Industry Comparison

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Every Cannabis Product In One Graphic Part 1 of 5
Cannabis and alcohol a side by side comparison Part 2 of 5
5 signs of maturity from the cannabis industry Part 3 of 5
Exploring the untapped potential of CBD 4 of 5
The new cannabis consumer Part 5 of 5

The following content is sponsored by Tenacious Labs.

Cannabis and Alcohol: An Industry Comparison

As cannabis continues to build legalization momentum in the U.S., it also finds itself entering a new chapter, and one that steps away from its prohibition past.

The industry is now on a path similar to that of the alcohol industry during the 20th century. So what can we learn by comparing the two industries?

This infographic from Tenacious Labs looks at similarities and differences between alcohol and cannabis in relation to market maturity, legality, and cultural acceptance. It’s the second in a series that explores the future of the cannabis industry. Let’s dive in.

Sizing up the Market

We are entering what looks like the beginning of the end for cannabis prohibition in the U.S. which dates all the way back to 1937.

During this time, cannabis has faced extreme hurdles that have hampered its ability to flourish. But despite this bumpy past, the future of cannabis looks bright. In 2020, combined legal and illicit cannabis sales in the U.S. grew to be worth a combined $85 billion.

While this only represents 33% of total U.S. alcohol sales, consumption habits are changing quickly. For instance, the share of college students who drink daily fell from 6.5% in 1980 to 2.2% in 2017, and Americans overall are drinking far less these days compared to the 1980s.

On the other hand, cannabis holds a larger and growing influence amongst Americans old and young. In fact, the (Read more...)

The History of Cannabis Prohibition in the U.S.

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The following content is sponsored by Tenacious Labs.

cannabis

The History of Cannabis Prohibition in the U.S.

The legal status of cannabis in the U.S. isn’t always clear. At the federal level, it is an illegal Schedule I drug. However, individual states have the ability to determine their own laws around cannabis sales and usage.

But cannabis was not always illegal at the top level. It was only in the last 100 years that cannabis faced a prohibition similar to the alcohol prohibition of the early 1920s.

In this infographic from Tenacious Labs, we explore the fascinating history of cannabis prohibition in the U.S. dating all the way back to the 1900s.

The Early History of Cannabis Legality

The earliest laws surrounding the cannabis plant in the U.S. were drafted before the country was even founded. In 1619, a law was passed in the colony of Virginia which required every single farm to grow cannabis and produce hemp, an important commodity at the time.

Over time, marijuana from the cannabis plant started to be used for medicinal purposes. Early recreational use was first introduced by Mexican immigrants in the early 1900s.

Flash forward to the 1930s, when the country was struggling financially during the Great Depression. To encourage economic growth, alcohol prohibition was lifted, and those who had supported teetotalling began to target marijuana instead. At the time, cannabis was consumed largely in black and Mexican communities, and racist attitudes began to shape an association between crime, lewd behavior, immorality, (Read more...)