When the Next "Batch" of Pot Stock Millions Hits, Thank These Voters

Editor's Note: Michael's Nova-X Report readers could be looking at some huge potential gains on the top 30 marijuana stocks in the world, thanks to Michael's new report, "The Roadmap to Marijuana Millions." Now Michael is predicting this next group of states will take cannabis legal in 2017, opening up even more juicy profit opportunities. Now is the perfect time to get in on this market. Here's Michael...

Legalized marijuana has been unstoppable in 2016.

You might have missed it thanks to the presidential upset, but following the Nov. 8 elections, fully 28 states now have legalized medical marijuana. Eight of those states have approved it for recreational and medical use.

That's great news for enthusiasts, but for investors, it's nothing short of amazing.

You see, marijuana advocates aren't finished with their fight. In fact, they're stepping up the pressure.

They're now eyeing the opportunities that could arise in 2017 - and beyond.

That's why today, as 2016 comes to an end, I thought it would be fun to look at voters in the remaining states - and predict which ones will attempt to legalize marijuana next.

While petition groups are working on marijuana initiatives for 2017 in almost all those remaining states, four currently "lead the pack" in the race to nationwide legalization...

The Pot Stock Stakes: "Win," "Place," and "Show"

For the first-place "win" bet, Vermont is out in front.

With voters in Massachusetts and Maine choosing in favor of legalization, it's only a matter of time before other states in New England start adopting pro-pot laws.

And the Green Mountain State is ripe for the picking.

pot It already has an existing medical marijuana program, and in spring 2016, the state nearly legalized recreational marijuana.

Despite strong backing from the Vermont Senate, Gov. Peter Shumlin, and Attorney General William Sorrell, Senate Bill 241 ultimately died in the Vermont General Assembly in late April, amid a rising fear of marijuana somehow contributing to the state's severe opioid crisis.

Now, according to recent polls from Vermont Public Radio (VPR), 55% of Vermonters are in favor of marijuana legalization, with only 32% opposed.

Standing in the way, however, is Lt. Gov. Phil Scott.

With Shumlin, the state's biggest marijuana cheerleader, on his way out of office, his successor has a different take on legalization. During the discussion of the legalization bill, Scott raised concerns about the legislation's shortcomings.

Either way, after coming so close in 2016, the sponsors of S.B. 241 may be ready to reintroduce the measure (or a revised version) when Vermont's next legislative session opens on Jan. 4.

This time, the pro-legalization effort could go all the way.

These states are looking promising, too.

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Two Candidates Are Neck and Neck for "Place"

Missouri is coming up close behind Vermont.

Many hearts were broken in Missouri in 2016 when an initiative for putting medical marijuana on state ballots fell short... by just 23 signatures.

Missouri's local advocacy groups - Show-Me Cannabis and New Approach Missouri - have repeatedly pushed for both medical and recreational cannabis measures.

New Approach Missouri submitted signatures for a medical marijuana initiative in 2016, but Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander ended up invalidating more than 10,000 of those signatures in the final days, leaving the group 2,242 signatures shy of its target.

But following the election, the Show Me State could be looking at a dramatically different landscape in 2017.

Since Election Day, Kander has flip-flopped his rhetoric on marijuana and has even urged legislators to step up and pass a medical cannabis bill through the Missouri General Assembly.

After a near miss this year, cannabis advocates in Missouri are sure to regroup in 2017.

potAnd I'm betting, should the state make another run at medical marijuana, it will pass.

But also looking to "place" is Arizona.

Another narrow loss for recreational marijuana legalization in 2016 has activists there itching for another shot.

The defeat of Proposition 205 during this year's election was extremely narrow - it failed by just 2%. Such a close defeat makes it easy for cannabis advocates to regroup and focus their attention on remaining hesitant voters.

It's a state that already has a history with marijuana legalization. In 1996, the Copper State was one of the few states to adopt a medical marijuana program.

In 2010, that initial law saw further reforms, giving greater access to its residents.

Now, more than a decade after this first initiative was passed, there are about 100 dispensaries in the state, meaning infrastructure for a recreational cannabis program is already largely in place.

And that bodes well for a "yes" vote the next time around.

This next state could go either way on cannabis, but I've got good reason to believe legal marijuana will prevail there at the next possible opportunity.

There's a Dark Horse Coming Up Fast for "Show"

North Carolina is a long shot, but medical marijuana initiatives are not out of the question for 2017.

In 1977, the Tar Heel State was one of the first in the country to decriminalize marijuana. Decriminalization is often a first step before marijuana legalization.

And in 2014, the state took another small step in the right direction when Gov. Pat McCrory signed a law that allows state universities to conduct clinical trials using cannabidiol (CBD) oil.

Does this guarantee that North Carolina is a lock to legalize medical marijuana? Not at all...

But, with decriminalization historically being a stepping stone to legalization, I'd give North Carolina voters a 50-50 chance of approving medical marijuana in the coming years.

Look, none of these initiatives are set in stone. But the behind-the-scenes action I'm seeing tells me that all four of these states are likely to deliver good news to marijuana investors in the next few years.

Michael's groundbreaking 89-page report, "The Roadmap to Marijuana Millions," is available now to Money Morning Members. The "bible of weed investing" features the 30 best pot stocks on the market right now in edibles, dispensaries, biotech, and other cannabis segments. Any or all of these companies could make you a fortune. Click here to learn how to get your copy today.

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About the Author

Michael A. Robinson is a 36-year Silicon Valley veteran and one of the top tech and biotech financial analysts working today. That's because, as a consultant, senior adviser, and board member for Silicon Valley venture capital firms, Michael enjoys privileged access to pioneering CEOs, scientists, and high-profile players. And he brings this entire world of Silicon Valley "insiders" right to you...

  • He was one of five people involved in early meetings for the $160 billion "cloud" computing phenomenon.
  • He was there as Lee Iacocca and Roger Smith, the CEOs of Chrysler and GM, led the robotics revolution that saved the U.S. automotive industry.
  • As cyber-security was becoming a focus of national security, Michael was with Dave DeWalt, the CEO of McAfee, right before Intel acquired his company for $7.8 billion.

This all means the entire world is constantly seeking Michael's insight.

In addition to being a regular guest and panelist on CNBC and Fox Business, he is also a Pulitzer Prize-nominated writer and reporter. His first book Overdrawn: The Bailout of American Savings warned people about the coming financial collapse - years before the word "bailout" became a household word.

Silicon Valley defense publications vie for his analysis. He's worked for Defense Media Network and Signal Magazine, as well as The New York Times, American Enterprise, and The Wall Street Journal.

And even with decades of experience, Michael believes there has never been a moment in time quite like this.

Right now, medical breakthroughs that once took years to develop are moving at a record speed. And that means we are going to see highly lucrative biotech investment opportunities come in fast and furious.

To help you navigate the historic opportunity in biotech, Michael launched the Bio-Tech Profit Alliance.

His other publications include: Strategic Tech Investor, The Nova-X Report, Bio-Technology Profit Alliance and Nexus-9 Network.

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