AGRICULTURAL INVESTMENT
AGRICULTURAL INVESTMENT Assessing cannabis as an investment opportunity It’s staggering to think that forecasters have predicted that by 2025 the global cannabis industry is expected to reach 6 billion, with the total market value of the South African cannabis industry raking in about .8 billion. These are the numbers being lobbied around and South Africa’s forward-thinking stance towards the 5-pointed leaf sets it up nicely to become a major player in the international market. Since its legalisation at the end of 2018, the cannabis industry has proven to be an emerging market, giving South Africa the opportunity to run with the big dogs in this exciting new growth sector. Tito Mboweni even went so far as to say that policy changes in the industry can very well result in a potential source of revenue for SA in his Budget Speech. With Statistics SA recently revealing that unemployment is not on the decline, it certainly is an opportune time to unlock the economic benefits, as well as the resulting job creation opportunities, that this industry presents. According to the New Frontier Data report the annual cannabis consumption rate in Africa is 11.4% while the global average is only 6% which bodes well for one of their Sustainable Development Goals which is to “promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”. The cannabis industry has the potential to create work opportunities for both low-skilled and high-skilled workers, it said, due to the fact that cannabis businesses will require management staff, administrative staff, manufacturing staff, agricultural operations and retail operations. In the United States, 321 744 jobs were created in the cannabis industry; and 35% were in retail operations. So, with all the above in mind, the question at the forefront of every investors mind is whether or not to invest in the South African cannabis industry? The collective word on the street is yes. If you’re looking to invest on the ground floor of one of the potentially largest markets globally, now’s the perfect time. Many companies are jumping on the cannabis bandwagon, one of which is CanbiGold, a South African holding company that has invested into several companies across the cannabis value chain and is offering early stage investors preferential share blocks at R500 000 per block. These are convertible at a 3 to 1 ratio once CanbiGold is listed. In Canada the listed cannabis sector has a market capitalisation of more than R500 billion. CanbiGold hopes to list on the Canadian Stock Exchange in the next 18 months to two years and possible a secondary listing on the ZAR X, a South African stock exchange. This is only one example of the investment opportunities that are budding across the sector. Be wary of getting caught high and dry As exciting as this whole new world of cannabis investment is, it’s important to not get caught up in the hype and invest without thinking. Right now, the buyers of cannabis shares are mesmerised by the potentially bright future that the landscape presents. Up until now, there hasn’t been any public cannabis related listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), yet. But that is set to change any day now. One of the biggest companies on the JSE by market capitalisation, Anheuser Busch is invested in the marijuana industry, and just like alcohol, the odds are that cannabis will sell, sending shares skyrocketing. But we do believe in the old adage of what goes up must come down, so maybe it might be pertinent to keep an eye on the market and see what happens as the legislation around the product changes. After all, you wouldn’t want to see your investment going up in smoke, would you? Daniel Kibel, Founder and Director, CM Trading 24 | www.opportunityonline.co.za
Better than cure KEEPS THE COLON HEALTHY COLON HEALTHY PROFILE Colonoscopy helps prevent colon cancer Colo-rectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Although the majority of individuals who develop CRC have sporadic disease, up to 20% may have a genetic predisposition. Average risk for developing CRC is defined as a person over the age of 50, with no other risk factors other than age. The average risk person is therefore an asymptomatic person with no family history of CRC, or a first-degree or second-degree relative who developed CRC over the age of 60 years There is no recognized screening program for CRC in South Africa. However, there is a general consensus that the average-risk individual should be offered a screening colonoscopy at the ages of 50, 60 and 70. Persons with a family history of colon polyps or cancer should be screened at an age 10 years younger than it was diagnosed in the family member. Colo-rectal cancer is a disease with high prevalence, which has a long premalignant, asymptomatic course. There are acceptable and effective screening tools as well as improved outcomes, and decreased mortality when the disease is detected and treated early. This makes CRC a condition that is ideal for screening. To ensure cost effectiveness of screening programs, individuals should be classified into risk categories. Appropriate screening programs aimed at the different risk categories reduce mortality from this disease. Survival is strongly related to the stage of the disease at diagnosis. Where the cancer is locally confined, survival of over 90% has been reported. Case controlled trials have shown decreased mortality from CRC using colonoscopy as screening tool. Colonoscopy is a day-case procedure in which the mucosa of the large intestine (colon and rectum) is examined to evaluate gastrointestinal symptoms, such as rectal and intestinal bleeding, or changes in bowel habit. In experienced hands a colonoscopy has a sensitivity for detecting advanced adenomas and cancers of up to 100%. To complete a successful colonoscopy, the bowel must be clean so that the physician can clearly view the inside of the colon. It is very important that you read and follow all the instructions for your bowel preparation well before the procedure. Without proper preparation, the colonoscopy will not be successful and may have to be repeated. As there are now more palatable, small volume bowel preparation regimes with better patient compliance available, it is strongly advised that all people older than 50 years, have a colonoscopy —as the proverb says “prevention is better than cure". KEEPS THE COLON HEALTHY ALL PROBIOTICS ARE NOT THE SAME. ALL PROBIOTICS INSIST ON QUATROFLORA® ARE NOT SAME. ALL ALL PROBIOTICS INSIST KEEPS PROBIOTICS ON QUATROFLORA® THE ARE NOT ARE THE NOT SAME. THE SAME. INSIST ON QUATROFLORA® COLON HEALTHY INSIST ON QUATROFLORA R One of the greatest challenges for human wellbeing in the 21st century will be to focus on the advantage of having a healthy colon and therefore a good immune system – this is where probiotics can play a significant role. ALL Probiotics PROBIOTICS are critical ARE for normal NOT digestion THE SAME. and INSIST for defence ON QUATROFLORA® against infection. Bacteria in the gut are known to: • ALL Stimulate PROBIOTICS the immune ARE system NOT THE SAME. INSIST ON QUATROFLORA® • Enhance the mucosal barrier • Aid digestion and break down toxins • Inhibit adherence of pathogens A good probiotic can be beneficial in the following ailments: • Diarrhoea or constipation • Bad breath, gas and bloating • Irritable bowel and lactose Intolerance • Replenish intestinal bacteria after colonoscopy Tel: 041 378 1189 | sales@betapharm.co.za www.betapharm.co.za QuatroFlora TM capsules contain the following strains of probiotic bacteria for improving gastro-intestinal health and well-being: Bifidobacterium, B12, Lactobacillus acidophilus, LA-5, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, LBY-27 and Streptococcus themophilus, STY-31 This product is not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. Clinical documentation available on request. This product has not been evaluated by the MCC.
