Most publicly traded cannabis companies got off to an impressive start in 2013, posting steady gains in January and then soaring to 52-week highs in February when hype over the industry’s future reached a fever pitch. But the euphoria has faded, and the majority of marijuana-related stocks closed out the first quarter – which wrapped up last week – at or near where they began it.
Here’s an overview of how some cannabis stocks performed during the first three months of 2013. (Note: all of the following stocks trade on the over-the-counter markets.)
Cannabis Science (CBIS) – Cannabis Science – which develops phytocannabinoid-based treatments for various ailments – opened the year at 5 cents a share and then climbed as high as 12 cents in intraday trading on Feb. 5. It has since steadily declined, ending the first quarter back at 5 cents. The company’s market cap is currently around $39 million.
Growlife (PHOT) – Growlife – which sells hydroponics and cultivation products and runs an information portal for the MMJ industry – saw its shares climb from 4 cents in early January to 12 cents a month later. But the company’s stock has fallen since then and, like Cannabis Science, ended March where it started the year, trading at 4 cents. The stock is well below its 52-week high of 25 cents, reached briefly during intraday trading back in May of last year. Growlife’s market cap is currently $15.4 million.
Medbox (MDBX) – Medbox stock soared last fall from a couple bucks a share to more than $200 on marijuana legalization in Colorado and Washington and several press reports about the company. It’s been a bumpy ride since then. Medbox shares closed out 2012 at $61, quickly shot up to around $100 but then plummeted to $25.52 at the end of the first quarter – a 58% decline. Still, the stock is trading much higher than its 52-week low of 3 cents. Medbox is thinly traded because there are few shares available to the public, making rapid price swings more likely. Despite the price decline, the company – which provides automated cannabis dispensing systems and related services – ended the first quarter with a healthy market cap of $281 million.
Medical Marijuana Inc. (MJNA) – Medical Marijuana Inc – which owns a portfolio of cannabis-related companies, including infused products provider Dixie Elixirs and Edibles – started 2013 at 10 cents, surged to 50 cents in February and then fell to close the first quarter at 25 cents. Despite the recent dip, the stock more than doubled in the first quarter. It’s now hovering near the middle of its 52-week range, and the company has a market cap of $184.5 million
MediSwipe Inc. (MWIP) – MMJ services and software provider MediSwipe posted a sizable gain in the first quarter, rising from 1 cent at the end of 2012 to 5 cents at the end of March – a fivefold increase. Like most other MMJ stocks, MediSwipe ballooned in February (to 11 cents) before losing most of the gains. It’s market cap stood at $22.2 million at the end of the first quarter. The company helps medical marijuana dispensaries manage patient records and handle customer payments.
Terra Tech Corp. (TRTC) – After starting the year at 48 cents, shares of Terra Tech Corp. rose to 66 cents in February but then came tumbling all the way down to 19 cents at the end of March. The company – which makes indoor MMJ cultivation equipment – is now trading near its 52-week low of 13 cents (vs. a high of $1.15) and has a market cap of about $15 million.
The X-Change Corp. (XCHC) – The X-Change Corp., which provides cannabinoid-based products such as lip balms and creams, traded at 9 cents at the end of the first quarter, down 2 cents – or 18% – from the beginning of the year. It hit 25 cents in late February before sliding in March and is now at the low end of its 52-week range (3 cents-39 cents). The company has a market cap of $3.2 million.
