Non-executive director Winton Willesee has made two on-market purchases taking his total holding in an indirect interest to 1.775 million shares.
(, ) non-executive director Winton Willesee has again demonstrated his confidence in the global cannabis investment company through an on-market purchase.
The latest increase comes just a week after Willesee increased his holding to 1,716,160 fully paid ordinary shares.
This time around, he has increased his shares on-market to 1.775 million fully paid ordinary shares in an indirect interest.
Willesee acquired a total of 58,840 shares in two separate on-market transactions on August 9 and 11.
The cannabis retail market in Canada is now C$3.5 billlon annually and is expected to grow exponentially over the next decade, with producers and processors in MMJ’s portfolio set to take advantage of this growth.
(, ) performed well in July with its net asset value declining just 1% (before provision of tax) in the month, far exceeding the benchmark of 11% over the same period.
Over the 12 months to July 31, 2021, MMJ’s investment return is a positive 12%, while its total portfolio stands at A$38 million.
MMJ is an Australian-listed, specialist investment company that gives investors exposure to a globally diversified portfolio focused on investing in private (typically pre-IPO) and public companies in high growth industries.
Can listings have positive share price effect?
MMJ’s investments are largely minority holdings in Australian and offshore cannabis-related businesses. However, the company has expanded its investment mandate to other high growth industries including natural resources, pharmaceuticals and software services technology.
Non-executive director Winton Willesee has increased his number of shares in the global cannabis investment company to 1,716,160 fully paid ordinary shares.
(, ) () non-executive director Winton Willesee has increased his number of shares in the global cannabis investment company.
Willesee has increased his holding in a series of on-market acquisitions last week to 1,716,160 fully paid ordinary shares.
He acquired a total of 116,160 shares in five separate transactions with a total value of more than A$9,200 for an indirect interest.
MMJ is currently sitting at A$0.078, having hit a high of A$0.082 last week.
The deal is Audacious’s first entry into the CBD beverages category, which is estimated to reach $14.6 billion globally by 2026
Australis Capital Inc (CSE:AUSA) (OTCMKTS:AUSAF), which is doing business as Audacious, has announced that it is acquiring California cannabinoid beverages and edibles firm Gary Maverick Inc, which operates as LOOS, in an all-stock deal.
It is Las Vegas-based Audacious’s first entry into the CBD beverages category, which is estimated to reach nearly $1.4 billion in value in the US by 2023, and $14.6 billion globally by 2026.
LOOS sells a two-ounce drink (or shot) infused with 100mg of THC, in three flavors: Orange Crush Sativa, Green Dream Hybrid, and Lavender Indica. It also plans to release a number of other products across several key categories, including CBD-infused shots, shortly, according to Audacious.
READ: Australis Capital says Audacious Brands gets foothold in Massachusetts market in partnership with Belle Fleur and Rapper Weed
As part of the acquisition, LOOS founders Anthony Bendana and Ben Koppel will join Audacious in executive roles.
Canada-based licensed producers in MMJ’s portfolio such as Weed Me are set to take advantage of the retail sales growth.
() (OTCMKTS:MMJF) expects physical retail sales of cannabis to tick higher along with continued robust online sales, as economies move out of lockdowns.
Lockdowns were a boon for cannabis sales as people stuck at home were seeking entertainment options, but the lockdown orders meant bricks-and-mortar retail outlets could not service their maximum number of customers.
The annual cannabis retail market in Canada is now C$3.5 billion annually.
MMJ expects over the next 10 years that market size to be a multiple of where it is today.
The supply agreement will enable Audacious Brands to continue to expand its MSO footprint, which now includes Nevada, Arizona, Oklahoma, Missouri, Washington, and Massachusetts
Australis Capital Inc. (CSE:AUSA) (OTCMKTS:AUSAF) has announced a supply agreement and, through its majority-owned subsidiary ALPS, a facility engineering and design services contract with Belle Fleur Holdings LLC.
The Nevada-based company, which now operates under the name Audacious Brands, said under the supply agreement Belle Fleur will dedicate a certain percentage of its canopy space for the cultivation of its proprietary cultivars under a cost-plus 5% agreement. The companies have agreed to jointly explore opportunities for brand collaboration and further expansion in the US.
READ: Australis Capital to change name to Audacious Brand and finalizes land purchase in Nevada
The supply agreement will enable Audacious Brands to continue to expand its multi-state operator (MSO) footprint, which now includes Nevada, Arizona, Oklahoma, Missouri, Washington, and Massachusetts. It anticipates entering additional US markets within the next few weeks.
The Nevada-based company will focus on its US adult market operations and will feature additional product lines under the new name
Australis Capital Inc (CSE:AUSA) (OTCMKTS:AUSAF) (FRA:AC4) said going forward, it will operate under the name Audacious Brand and will consolidate its product line under the Audacious banner.
The Nevada-based company will focus on its US adult market operations and will feature additional product lines under the new name.
Audacious Brand will continue to trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange and the OTC market under the same ticker symbols, AUSA and AUSAF, respectively.
READ: Australis Capital touts new study that shows medical cannabis can reduce opioid use, the progress of its subsidiaries and more in corporate update
A full brand rollout and launch is planned in the months ahead.
MMJ believes cannabis and cannabis infused products have the potential to become a larger market than alcohol/spirits over time.
() (OTCMKTS:MMJF) is looking forward to a return to “normal” in the late summer and early fall as COVID-19 winds its way down in North America.
COVID-19 has impacted different businesses in different ways – for travel and tourism it has been a curse, but for video games and online shopping it has been a boon.
For cannabis, it has been mostly positive as people stayed home and needed to relax from the stress caused by the pandemic.
According to a recent Statistics Canada survey, 20% of Canadians report using cannabis, up from 14% before COVID-19.
() () aims to build companies through early-stage, opportunistic, and diversified investments in the cannabis value chain in the US and abroad.
The Nevada-based company’s business and assets include investments in Cocoon Technology LLC, , Green Therapeutics LLC, Quality Green, Folium Biosciences, and land assets in Washington state and Michigan.
Australis was spun out from cannabis behemoth Aurora Cannabis Inc (TSE:ACB) (NYSE:ACB) in September 2018 as its US investment vehicle. Aurora is not allowed to invest in US cannabis assets due to Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE listing rules. Australis is therefore Aurora’s arm to establish a foothold in the US, before a potential US federal legalization shift.
As part of the new strategy to scale up its award-winning brands across the US and global cannabis markets, the company has acquired a 51% interest in cash-flow-healthy ALPS - the world’s premier design, construction management, commissioning, and post-commissioning consultancy for horticultural crops such as cannabis.
Australis has also gone through the process of acquiring a 100% interest of the outstanding membership interest in Nevada-based cannabis cultivator Green Therapeutics.
Researchers found a strong correlation between reduced opioid use by heavy consumers and the adoption of medical cannabis in pain management regimes
Australis Capital Inc (CSE:AUSA) (OTC:AUSAF) issued a corporate update, highlighting a groundbreaking University of Alberta study medical cannabis study, a new chairman, Green Therapeutics' work in Nevada, among other news.
The objective of the study was to assess the effect of medical cannabis authorization on opioid use between 2013 and 2018 in Alberta, and researchers found a strong correlation between reduced opioid use by heavy consumers and the adoption of medical cannabis in pain management regimes.
"The findings of this study are profound in that they provide more information to physicians who are seeking to help patients reduce their dependency on opioids for pain management,” Chief Science Officer and study co-author Jason Dyck said in a statement. “This work may assist with helping clinicians combat the opioid crisis that is ongoing in our society."
READ: Australis Capital unveils new chief business development officer
The study was conducted on the largest global population of federally legal medical cannabis patients, whose medical cannabis and opioid use were tracked.
Freshleaf said its prediction that 2021 will see an industry consolidation is “coming to life” with the recent merger and acquisition activities
The Australian medicinal cannabis market is continuing its strong growth trajectory and is expected to exceed growth expectations in 2021, by more than doubling to $200 million from around $100 million in 2020.
Patient numbers are estimated to rise to about 75,000 active patients by the end of December 2021, up from 30,000 end-2020 and 45,000 at the close of the first quarter of 2021.
Special Access Scheme Category B (SAS-B) approvals for 2020 doubled to 100,000, with February 2021 achieving a record-breaking 8,000 approvals.
Year-to-date sales in 2021 have already surpassed full-year revenues in 2019.
Leah S Bailey will be joining the company to drive commercial initiatives and provide leadership to its corporate development team
() () (FRA:AC4) said it has appointed Leah S Bailey as its chief business development officer to drive commercial initiatives and provide leadership to the company's corporate development team.
The cannabis group said with Bailey’s appointment, it is adding “a proven leader with a strong track record in driving revenues and profitability in both the cannabis and consumer packaged goods (CPG) sectors”.
READ: Australis Capital issues corporate update highlighting strong FY2021 revenue thanks to ALPS, plus New York legalization hopes
Before joining Australis, Bailey served as chief executive of Fluresh, a US vertically integrated cannabis company based in Michigan, where she built the operation and organization from a start-up to become one of the top cannabis businesses in the state.
Bailey also holds several directorships with companies such as well-known medical cannabis science group Tikun Olam USA and Scott's Liquid Gold, as well as serving as an operating partner for a social equity applicant for craft grow in Illinois.
Embark Health products are being rolled out to online and retail locations throughout Ontario and Saskatchewan.
's () (OTCMKTS:MMJF) Canadian investee Embark Health announced a number of updates on the progress in executing its business plan during April 2021.
These include the successful completion of:
First product shipment to the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) with The Hank Co. Bubble Hash. The OCS is the wholesaler and online retailer for recreational cannabis in Ontario; a product shipment of The Hazel Co. Hash Sticks to the Province of Ontario through the OCS, which is the wholesaler and online retailer for recreational cannabis in Ontario; first shipment of products to the province of Saskatchewan through our arrangement with Open Fields Distribution, Embark’s wholesale distribution partner in the province and one of the leading cannabis distributors in Saskatchewan. Embark’s products will be available online and at selected retail locations throughout the province; second shipment of products to the British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB), with Distilled + Infused Liquid Beverage Shots; and product shipments to private retailers in the province of Manitoba.First non-cannabis investment
MMJ is also making investments in sectors outside of cannabis, such as natural resources, pharmaceuticals and software services technology.
Following the completion of MMJ investee Bespoke Capital Acquisition Corp’s (BCAC) (NASDAQ:BSPE) (TSE:BC.U) acquisition of a US based wine business, Vintage Wines (VWE), in May 2021, MMJ will have completed the first non-cannabis investment following the diversification of its investment strategy approved by MMJ shareholders in late 2020.
Following the legalization of recreational adult-use cannabis in New York, Australis said it is in discussions with a number of potential partners to enter a market expected to capture $1.2 billion in sales by 2023
() (OTC:AUSAF) has released a corporate update, revealing that its revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, is expected to have doubled year-over-year, as well as highlighting a batch of other recent news developments.
A big reason for that, according to Australis’s CFO on Jon Paul, is the company's 51% stake in commercial crops facility management firm 2750176 Ontario Inc (ALPS), even though the deal was closed less than a month before the fiscal year ended.
"Despite ALPS only contributing approximately 3 weeks to our year-end, AUSA's revenues are anticipated to more than double for the entire fiscal year ended March 31, 2021,” Paul said in the update. “With an array of current projects in progress and an expanding pipeline of new projects anticipated to be signed, the impact of ALPS on the first quarter of our fiscal 2022 will be even greater.”
READ: Australis finds its first chief science officer in University of Alberta lead cardiologist Jason Dyck
“Meanwhile," the CFO added, "we expect the sale of a land asset held through our other acquisition, Green Therapeutics, to close shortly, which will add approximately C$2.5 million in cash to our working capital position. With the anticipated growth at ALPS and GT, as well as other liquid assets held, AUSA is in robust shape financially for its current level of operations."
Following the legalization of recreational adult-use cannabis in New York, Australis said it is in discussions with a number of potential partners to enter a market expected to capture $1.2 billion in sales by 2023
Australis Capital Inc (CSE:AUSA) (OTC:AUSAF) has released a corporate update, revealing that its revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, is expected to have doubled year-over-year, as well as highlighting a batch of other recent news developments.
A big reason for that, according to Australis’s CFO on Jon Paul, is the company's 51% stake in commercial crops facility management firm 2750176 Ontario Inc (ALPS), even though the deal was closed less than a month before the fiscal year ended.
"Despite ALPS only contributing approximately 3 weeks to our year-end, AUSA's revenues are anticipated to more than double for the entire fiscal year ended March 31, 2021,” Paul said in the update. “With an array of current projects in progress and an expanding pipeline of new projects anticipated to be signed, the impact of ALPS on the first quarter of our fiscal 2022 will be even greater.”
READ: Australis finds its first chief science officer in University of Alberta lead cardiologist Jason Dyck
“Meanwhile," the CFO added, "we expect the sale of a land asset held through our other acquisition, Green Therapeutics, to close shortly, which will add approximately C$2.5 million in cash to our working capital position. With the anticipated growth at ALPS and GT, as well as other liquid assets held, AUSA is in robust shape financially for its current level of operations."
Building on Embark’s strength in innovation and creating industry-leading Cannabis 2.0 products, it recently announced new product offerings through its ground-breaking Embark Nano technology which include cannabis-infused beverages, topicals, edibles and water-soluble powders.
MMJ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX:MMJ) (OTCMKTS:MMJF) Canadian investee Embark Delta Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Embark Health, has completed its second shipment of products to the British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB) with Distilled + Infused liquid beverage shots.
Distilled + Infused is Embark’s inaugural product offering in the beverage category with the suite of products produced through Embark Nano’s ground-breaking technology.
The THC-infused Liquid Beverage Shot comes in an unflavoured option, which can be enjoyed with an adult’s drink of choice.
It also comes in strawberry lemonade and raspberry lemonade flavours which are naturally flavoured.
Embark continues to work toward a public listing in 2021 after deciding to pursue a direct listing of Mesa Exploration on March 11.
() () investee Embark Health Inc has continued to deliver its strategic business development priorities on several fronts during the first 11 weeks of 2021, including entering into supply agreements with the provincial boards of British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba.
The company has also entered into a supply agreement with Shelter Market for supply into the national medical market through the Shelter Medical platform operated by Agro-Greens Natural Products Ltd.
Embark has shipped The Hank Co Bubble Hash to the province of British Columbia and Alberta in addition to Shelter Market and is targeting shipments to Saskatchewan and Manitoba through April as the business anticipates the receipt of a purchase order.
Sales execution
In support of sales execution, Embark’s retail sales team continues to conduct retail store tours and product knowledge sessions within the provinces.
The firm said the collaboration will result in expanded capacity and product lines at Copperstate’s facilities to service growing Arizona cannabis demand
() () (FRA:AC4) announced that through its majority-owned subsidiary ALPS, it has struck an agreement with Arizona's largest cannabis wholesaler, Copperstate Farms Management LLC for expanded capacity and expanded product lines.
Copperstate Farms operates a 40-acre, 1.7 million-square-foot greenhouse in Snowflake, Arizona, cultivating medical and adult-use cannabis. The contract with ALPS will have an initial term of two years and is expected to consist of two phases. “Total contract value over two years is anticipated to be up to $6 million,” said the company.
During the first phase of the expansion, Copperstate has contracted ALPS to implement “a full technology and workflow upgrade” of its facility with industrial greenhouse management solutions, cultivation practices, compliance upgrades and computerized maintenance management services through the firm's APIS offering. This is expected to boost yield and product quality, enabling Copperstate to meet growing demand in the Arizona market, said the company.
READ: Australis Capital completes first phase of Green Therapeutics acquisition with cannabis subsidiary purchase
Phase 1 will also include engineering support for the construction of a world-class processing and manufacturing facility operated by Copperstate Farms in Tempe, Arizona. This facility is in the same building as the Sol Flower dispensary, noted the company. As part of the contract, ALPS will support Copperstate Farms in achieving GMP compliance for the facility.
Dyck has a wealth of experience leading cannabis-related medical research and has deep connections and a high standing throughout the industry, the company said
() (OTC:AUSAF) (FRA:AC4) has appointed Jason Dyck, director of the Cardiovascular Research Centre at the University of Alberta, as its new chief science officer and chairman of its scientific advisory board, the company announced.
Dyck has a wealth of experience leading cannabis-related medical research and has deep connections and high standing in the industry, the company said. He previously led the research and science team at Aurora Cannabis Inc (NYSE:ACB) (TSE:ACB) (FRA:21P1) in its formative years, playing a significant role in helping it become the medical cannabis industry leader that it is today, Australis said.
The company’s appointments strategy is to leverage the roots of its management team in medical cannabis, while developing offerings and partnerships aimed at the medical and wellness markets.
READ: Australis Capital completes first phase of Green Therapeutics acquisition with cannabis subsidiary purchase
Dyck also established and co-directs a province-wide clinical heart failure research program called Alberta HEART that is a translational research program in heart failure.
MMJ continues to see an industry that is still in its growth phase but maturing in terms of management competence and capital structures employed.
() portfolio holdings are in a much better position than they were one quarter ago with more cash on hand and solid plans for achieving shareholder liquidity, according to MMJ’s investment portfolio report as at March 31, 2021.
The company has provided a detailed update on its various investments:
Embark Health
Embark has engaged an investment bank to pursue a direct listing of its shares.
The company has built out a solid sales order book and has shipped significant product in February and March.
