Value After Hours S06 E29 Mindset Value's Aaron Edelheit on value investing in cannabis and hemp
Aug 26, 2024
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Aaron Edelheit, a seasoned value investor specializing in cannabis and hemp, shares his fascinating journey from traditional stocks to navigating the complexities of the cannabis market. He discusses the positive social impacts of legalization in the U.S. and draws parallels with the beer industry's evolution. Edelheit addresses the challenges posed by regulatory complexities, including the burdens of the 280E tax, while highlighting promising investment opportunities. He also explores the philosophical implications of land value taxation, referencing Henry George's impactful theories.
The speaker's investment journey evolved from real estate to a keen interest in the burgeoning cannabis industry driven by market changes.
Complex regulations and a federal classification as a Schedule One drug pose significant challenges for cannabis investment and acceptance in the U.S.
Consumer preferences are shifting towards cannabis as a safer alternative to alcohol and prescription medications, suggesting strong future market growth potential.
Deep dives
Career Journey and Investment Philosophy
The speaker's investment journey began with a childhood fascination for stock markets, leading to various experiences, including managing a small fund focused on restructuring and turnarounds. This progressed into a significant venture of purchasing foreclosed homes during the 2008 financial crisis, where he acquired around 2,500 single-family rentals. Despite the challenges of property management, he successfully exited the real estate sector by selling his business to a public REIT, enabling him to pivot back to his passion for stock investing. This journey highlights a shift in his investment focus over the years, culminating in a deep interest in the cannabis industry, viewed as a significant growth opportunity driven by market dynamics and consumer behavior changes.
Cannabis Industry Landscape and Regulatory Challenges
The cannabis industry is characterized by complex regulations and a lack of federal legalization, which has resulted in states acting as individual marketplaces. Historical context reveals how cannabis laws were influenced by racial and political motivations, particularly during Nixon's presidency, shaping current legislation. The speaker argues that while states like Colorado and California have legalized cannabis, the federal classification as a Schedule One drug remains a challenge for wider acceptance and investment. Despite these hurdles, the state's legal status has encouraged the emergence of a burgeoning market, positioning cannabis as a potential alternative to traditional substances like alcohol.
The Great Replacement: Cannabis vs. Traditional Substances
The speaker posits that cannabis serves as a replacement for numerous harmful substances, suggesting a shift in consumer preferences towards cannabis due to its relaxing properties and reduced health risks compared to alcohol and prescription medications. Data indicates that areas with legalized cannabis see declines in workers' compensation claims, hinting at a holistic benefit to society as people substitute potentially harmful substances for cannabis. The culture is shifting towards acceptance, with cannabis products gaining popularity, especially among demographics seeking non-alcoholic options. This transition underscores the potential for sustained growth in the cannabis market, driven by changing consumer attitudes and empirical evidence supporting its benefits.
Opportunities in the Cannabis Market: Glasshouse Case Study
The speaker discusses Glasshouse, a cannabis cultivation company that capitalizes on its unique operational advantages in California’s competitive landscape. Their innovative greenhouse facilities leverage the region's climate, utilizing advanced agricultural techniques to maintain quality while reducing costs, positioning them as a low-cost leader in the market. The speaker highlights how Glasshouse's strategic focus on high-quality production amidst declining prices reflects a larger industry trend where successful businesses adapt to market dynamics. This approach not only aims for profitability but also suggests that understanding the nuances of cannabis cultivation can lead to significant investment opportunities.
Future Prospects and Investment Strategies
The discussion reflects a bullish sentiment on the future of cannabis, particularly as potential regulatory changes loom on the horizon, including rescheduling cannabis from Schedule One, which may open up new investment avenues. The speaker notes that consumer acceptance and growing market engagement, especially among younger populations, hint at a robust industry growth trajectory. Investment strategies focus on identifying companies with strong fundamentals and operational efficiencies to navigate the volatile market landscape effectively. By emphasizing long-term research and understanding the underlying economic principles driving the industry, investors can uncover lucrative opportunities in the evolving cannabis market.
Value: After Hours is a podcast about value investing, Fintwit, and all things finance and investment by investors Tobias Carlisle, and Jake Taylor. See our latest episodes at https://acquirersmultiple.com/podcast
We are live every Tuesday at 1.30pm E / 10.30am P.
About Jake
Jake's Twitter: https://twitter.com/farnamjake1
Jake's book: The Rebel Allocator https://amzn.to/2sgip3l
ABOUT THE PODCAST
Hi, I'm Tobias Carlisle. I launched The Acquirers Podcast to discuss the process of finding undervalued stocks, deep value investing, hedge funds, activism, buyouts, and special situations.
We uncover the tactics and strategies for finding good investments, managing risk, dealing with bad luck, and maximizing success.
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ABOUT TOBIAS CARLISLE
Tobias Carlisle is the founder of The Acquirer’s Multiple®, and Acquirers Funds®.
He is best known as the author of the #1 new release in Amazon’s Business and Finance The Acquirer’s Multiple: How the Billionaire Contrarians of Deep Value Beat the Market, the Amazon best-sellers Deep Value: Why Activists Investors and Other Contrarians Battle for Control of Losing Corporations (2014) (https://amzn.to/2VwvAGF), Quantitative Value: A Practitioner’s Guide to Automating Intelligent Investment and Eliminating Behavioral Errors (2012) (https://amzn.to/2SDDxrN), and Concentrated Investing: Strategies of the World’s Greatest Concentrated Value Investors (2016) (https://amzn.to/2SEEjVn). He has extensive experience in investment management, business valuation, public company corporate governance, and corporate law.
Prior to founding the forerunner to Acquirers Funds in 2010, Tobias was an analyst at an activist hedge fund, general counsel of a company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, and a corporate advisory lawyer. As a lawyer specializing in mergers and acquisitions he has advised on transactions across a variety of industries in the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Australia, Singapore, Bermuda, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and Guam.
He is a graduate of the University of Queensland in Australia with degrees in Law (2001) and Business (Management) (1999).
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