Converting Demand vs. Creating Demand

Investing in the cannabis space, quite often I receive the question “why did you choose to focus your investment group on cannabis?”

“Invest in what you know” is a solid answer but there was available and obvious data that was very helpful. In early stage investing you invest in companies with a new or novel product or service. Inevitably, the question of demand for the product or service needs to be addressed. Who uses the product? Will they continue to use it and if they do, how will they use it? You see where I’m going here?

Cannabis has been used by a silent majority for thousands of years and with each year that passes, the silence is evaporating into an unapologetic consumer base finding new and useful ways to enjoy the plant.

Most early stage companies are out driving new demand for the product. Cannabis companies have an opportunity to not only create new demand but to convert existing demand. Creating demand by bringing new users out of their silence or by trying cannabis products for the first time (or again). Converting existing demand through an existing user base that already purchases and uses the products through legacy channels. Most new industries have the former but not the latter. That opportunity was (one of) the deciding factors.