Several estimates place the growing cannabis market at over £30 bn. The UK’s portion of this growth has been challenged by Brexit, of course—similar to every other industry with significant regulatory controls.
In addition, ‘one challenge that does seem particular to cannabis companies is gaining a listing on a recognised stock exchange,’ says the new analysis ‘Cannabis: An Industry Growing in Every Sense,’ from PKF International (PKFI).
The UK Listing Authority (UKLA) is renowned for its robust requirements and still appears to be somewhat sceptical about the industry. While the kudos of a London Stock Exchange (LSE) listing appears some way off, two companies [Anada Developments and Sativa Investments] are enjoying success on the UK-based NEX Exchange.
PKFI comments that ‘Ananda has purchased a stake in an Israeli company focused on improving CBD and THC extraction techniques, while Sativa has invested in two Canadian-based pharmaceutical cannabis companies, Veritas and Rapid Dose Therapeutics.’