In this article, we will discuss the 13 best hemp stocks to buy now. If you’re in a hurry, click to skip ahead to the 5 Best Hemp Stocks to Buy Now.
Weedmaps define Hemp as “A dioecious plant, which means it can be separated into male and female plants. These plants have served a wide variety of purposes for more than 10,000 years: for fiber (from the plant’s stems), protein (from seeds), and oils and smokable portions (from the leaves and flowers). Hemp fibers can be used to make items including paper, clothing, furnishing fabric, rope, and building materials.”. Some people may confuse hemp with marijuana. Although both contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and are classified as cannabis, the variety cultivated for hemp has only small amounts compared to the marijuana. And it does not have the same effect. In an article, we mentioned the Top 10 Cannabis Stocks to Buy Now.
In 2014, the federal law under the Agricultural Act 2014 (farm bill) allowed the use of hemp on an experimental basis. The commodity proved its significance not only for the health sector but for the economy as a whole with over 25,000 recorded uses. In 2018, the United States farm bill federally legalized hemp production and since then the industry has been thriving. According to MarketsAndMarkets “The industrial hemp market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 34% from USD 4.6 billion in 2019 to USD 26.6 billion by 2025”
The COVID-19 affected many industries when enforced lockdown and social distancing was in place. However, the hemp industry was one of those industries that managed to stay afloat despite the economic recession. Many medical researchers looked into medical cannabis as an option to help stop the spread of the virus. In a study by a partnership between cannabis research companies Pathway RX, Swysh Inc., and the University of Lethbridge it was shown that certain Cannabis Sativa extracts could be used in treatments to prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The researchers commented:
“While our most effective extracts require further large-scale validation, our study is crucial for the future analysis of the effects of medical cannabis on COVID-19,” the researchers said in an early pre-publication version of their study. “The extracts of our most successful and novel high CBD [cannabidiol] C. sativa lines, pending further investigation, may become a useful and safe addition to the treatment of COVID-19 as an adjunct therapy. The extracts could potentially be used in a mouthwash or “throat gargle”
Cannabis stocks rallied after Biden’s victory raised expectations for cannabis reform. The hemp industry is optimistic that plans for high-THC cannabis will open more opportunities for the sector. Chairman of the National Hemp Association, Geoff Whaling commented saying that “2021 can be the year of the hemp”. While in a separate note, Texas cannabis attorney Lisa Pittman told Hemp Industry Daily:
The ability to harness hemp’s power to sequester carbon from the atmosphere and remediate toxins from the soil could finally become a functioning reality instead of a theoretical possibility,”
In order to identify the 13 Best Hemp Stocks to Buy Now, we started with the 33 holdings in the ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF (MJ) as of February 4, 2021, and we were able to narrow down our list to 13 stocks by using the hedge fund sentiment data.
Our in-house research showed that by using the hedge fund sentiment data, we can identify a small group of stocks that can outperform the S&P 500 index on average by double digits annually. For instance, the portfolio for stock picks for our monthly newsletter has beaten the market by over 88 percentage points since March 2017 (see details here) Some of the portfolio choices for our monthly newsletter were also publicly shared on our website. In October, we posted this real estate stock and since then it’s been up more than 50 percent.
Based on our hedge fund sentiment data, we present to you the 14 best hemp stocks to buy now among 800+ hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey:
13. Aurora Cannabis (NYSE:ACB)
No of HFs: 10
Total Value of HF Holdings: $9.22 Million
ACB is the 13th best hemp stock to buy now. The stock was mentioned as one of the 25 Biggest Marijuana Companies in the World. The company is known for the production, distribution, and marketing of cannabis products. They recently announced a five-year supply agreement with MedReleaf Australia. Miguel Martin, CEO of Aurora said,
“We are pleased to have established a long-term strategic relationship with MedReleaf to exclusively distribute the Aurora, CanniMed and MedReleaf brands in Australia. The team at MedReleaf have created an asset-light, sustainable growth platform in Australia to assist physicians, pharmacists and patients across the country in accessing the high-quality range of Aurora cannabis medicines.”
12. GrowGeneration Corp (NASDAQ:GRWG)
No of HFs: 10
Total Value of HF Holdings: $56.4 Million
The top hedge fund holder of this stock is Richard Driehaus’ Driehaus Capital which had $23 million invested in the stock at the end of September. An insider recently purchased 25,000 shares at around $3 in December 2019. The stock is up 1332% since then. GRGW is known for its retail of hydroponic and organic specialty gardening products. They recently acquired Maine-based Grow Depot., GrowGeneration’s CEO, Darren Lampert said:
“It’s a very exciting time in Maine’s adult-use market, and we’re pleased to expand our footprint in the state through our acquisition of Grow Depot, which has proudly served the Central Maine area for nearly a decade. With our expanded footprint, the Maine market is expected to generate 2021 annual revenues of over $20 million for GrowGen.”
11. Cronos Group Inc (NASDAQ:CRON)
No of HFs: 10
Total Value of HF Holdings: $59.9 Million
At the end of September, a total of 10 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey were long this stock. An insider recently purchased 15,000 shares at around $5 in August 2020. The stock is up 140% since then. CRON advances cannabis research, technology, and product development. During the third quarter of 2020, the company reported net revenue of $1.6 million.
10. Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. (NYSE:SWM)
No of HFs: 11
Total Value of HF Holdings: $16.4 Million
SWM is the 10th best hemp stock to buy now. The top hedge fund holder of this stock is Jim Simons’ Renaissance Technologies which had over $5 million invested in the stock at the end of September. An insider recently purchased 1,000 shares at around $30 in May 2020. The stock is up 26% since then. SWM is known for developing papers for the tobacco industry. They recently announced their agreement with the Board of Scapa Group, Plc. To acquire the entire share capital of Scapa. SWM CEO Dr. Jeffrey Kramer commented that they are enthusiastic about adding Scapa’s best-in-class global healthcare solutions platform to SWM
“We are enthusiastic about adding Scapa’s best-in-class global healthcare solutions platform to our already substantial presence, giving SWM immediate critical mass in the growing medical materials space. Together with Scapa, we will offer a comprehensive suite of products focused on skin-friendly specialty applications like advanced woundcare, wellness, and medical device fixation, in addition to our existing portfolio of medical products. Scapa also brings a robust and profitable set of industrial tapes used in construction, transportation, consumer, and industrial end-markets, complementing our existing business. Like SWM, Scapa has significant capabilities and scale in key specialty applications and a well-recognized brand portfolio. With Scapa’s industrial business as part of SWM’s diversified AMS segment, we see potential to leverage our combined sales and distribution reach.”
9. Universal Corp (NYSE:UVV)
No of HFs: 12
Total Value of HF Holdings: $74.8 Million
UVV was mentioned in the Top 5 Dividend Kings of 2021 as the company announced its 50th consecutive annual dividend hike in May 2020. They are one of the leading tobacco merchants worldwide. Universal primarily sells flue-cured and burley tobacco. In 2020, the company acquired Silva International. The acquisition will enable UVV to offer a single source for vegetable and fruit solutions.
8. Vector Group LTD (NYSE:VGR)
No of HFs: 17
Total Value of HF Holdings: $131 Million
VGR is the 8th best hemp stock to buy now. The top hedge fund holder of this stock is Jim Simons’ Renaissance Technologies which had over $95 million invested in the stock at the end of September. An insider purchased 15,000 shares at around $12.10 in January 2021. The stock is up 2% since then. Recently, the company made changes in their Board of Directors, where they appointed Richard J. Lampen as the new Chief Operating Officer and Member of the Board of Directors. Howard M. Lorber, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vector Group commented:
“On behalf of the Board and Management team, we are pleased to announce Dick’s new roles at Vector Group. With his broad executive experience and deep operational understanding of the company, having served in a variety of senior leadership roles for Vector Group and its affiliates for more than 25 years, Dick is a valuable addition to our Board and a natural fit to be COO.”
7. GW Pharmaceuticals PLC (NASDAQ:GWPH)
No of HFs: 17
Total Value of HF Holdings: $201 Million
The top hedge fund holder of this stock is Steve Cohen’s Point72 Asset Management which had $52 million invested in the stock at the end of September. An insider recently purchased 7,200 shares at around $6 in March 2020. The stock is up 3450% since then. Alger Spectra Fund mentioned the stock in its Q3 2020 investor letter:
“GW Pharmaceuticals is producing cannabinoid-based pharmaceuticals without tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is a mood-altering component in marijuana. These cannabinoids enable the identification of unique chemotypes that have positive effects on different diseases, including epilepsy, inflammatory disorders and psychosis. GW’s near-term focus is developing Epidiolex for use with treatment resistant epilepsy. with up to 40 Vo of epileptic patients continuing to have seizures after using three or more different drugs. The sales growth of Epidiolex has been disappointing because the virtual nature of diagnosis and prescribing drugs during the Covid-19 pandemic is challenging the adoption of this newer type of therapy; shares of GW Pharmaceuticals thus underperformed during the third quarter.”
It is now too late to buy GWPH as Jazz Pharmaceuticals recently announced that it is acquiring GWPH.
6. Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CARA)
No of HFs: 19
Total Value of HF Holdings: $75.6 Million
At the end of September, a total of 19 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey held long positions in the stock. CARA is known for developing products for pruritus and pain management. In 2020, the company released a new drug application to US FDA for KORSUVA injection in Hemodialysis patients with moderate-to-severe pruritus. Derek Chalmers, Ph.D., D.Sc., President and Chief Executive Officer of Cara Therapeutics said:
“The NDA submission for KORSUVA Injection marks a significant milestone for Cara and for hemodialysis patients who suffer from intractable pruritu. I’d like to thank the entire Cara team for working tirelessly to bring this first-in-class therapeutic from in-house discovery, through development to the completion of NDA submission, as well as the patients, investigators and site personnel who participated in the clinical trials. We look forward to working with the FDA through the review process and, along with our commercial partner, Vifor Pharma, remain focused on preparation for the U.S. launch of KORSUVA Injection, if approved.”
Click to continue reading and see the 5 Best Hemp Stocks To Buy Now.
Suggested Articles:
- 15 Largest Law Firms In The World
- 10 Best High Dividend Stocks to Buy Now
- 10 Cheap Healthcare Stocks to Buy Now
Disclosure: None. 13 Best Hemp Stocks To Buy Now is originally published at Insider Monkey.
