Ignore These Cannabis Industry Misconceptions and Book Triple-Digit Gains

The legal cannabis industry will grow 145% from $10 billion in sales in 2017 to $24.5 billion by 2021. But there are still misconceptions about the billion-dollar market.

Workers are lazy. Building a cannabis business is easy. Marijuana dispensaries attract crime. You'll lose all your money investing in marijuana stocks.

The list goes on...

cannabis industryBut these misconceptions can lead to missed profit opportunities through pot stocks.

Just look at Tilray Inc. (Nasdaq: TLRY)...

Tilray cultivates, processes, and distributes medical cannabis.

TLRY went public on July 19 at $23.05 per share. Today (Sept. 5), the TLRY stock price opened at $86.50 per share.

If you believed any of the misconceptions I mentioned above, you wouldn't have invested in this company and would have missed out on 275% returns.

That's why I reached out to leading cannabis experts to relay the most important misconceptions about marijuana that Money Morning readers need to avoid.

Renegade Investment Expert: "It's time to double down - or even triple down - on your cannabis investments!" Read more...

It could be the difference between making a 275% gain and just watching your money sit on the sidelines...

Cannabis Experts Say to Avoid These Misconceptions

The first expert I spoke with wants our readers to know that those working within the cannabis industry are just as hard working as anyone else is.

Shauntel Ludwig is the Vice President of Operations for DaVinci, a popular dry herb vaporizer company with a strong line of products. DaVinci's vaporizers are exactly what they are supposed to be - advanced, superior, and portable.

Misconception: Those who work in the industry are a bunch of "stoners."

"The cannabis industry is evolving at the speed of light, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the way people perceive it, or those that have a career in the industry, has been. I can't count the number of times that someone has asked me if we just sit around and vape cannabis all day, or tell me they know someone who consumes, so we should hire them. Seriously people, we are accomplished executives, MBA's, and entrepreneurs who have experience and pedigrees. Like any other industry, it takes work to achieve greatness. Perhaps in this industry, even more so than in those in which the playing rules are defined."

If you think anyone can start their own cannabis business as a get-rich-quick scheme, you need to read what our next expert said...

Dustin Iannotti is the co-founder of Artisans on Fire, a cannabis-focused marketing agency based in Las Vegas, Nev.

Misconception: Building a cannabis business is an easy money grab right now.

"There are lots of investors dipping their toes and their checkbooks into the cannabis sector right now, and I think people outside the industry hear rumblings about a "green rush" and get the impression that growing these businesses are a lot of "build it and they will come" style overnight successes. The truth is, there's strict regulatory hurdles, it takes eight figures to have a chance to grow the business in a sustainable way, banks won't fund you or support you, the tax implications are a mess, marketing restrictions make it nearly impossible to build brand awareness via traditional means, and you can largely deal only in cash. I'd say if this is your idea of easy, then you have a really high threshold for hard."

Some anti-marijuana activists have opposed dispensaries opening up, citing that they would attract crime.

But the fact is, studies have shown that's just another misconception...

Jason Santos is the Chair and CEO of Burn Entertainment Corp., a digital lifestyle and entertainment platform embracing the legal cannabis industry. Unlike similar platforms directed at distinct demographics, BurnTV looks to bring broadcast quality productions programmed for all tastes and platforms, with no gender, age, or other demographic restrictions.

Misconception: Cannabis businesses attract crime.

"Unfortunately, one of the biggest misconceptions out there today is this fear that cannabis businesses raise the risk of crime, attract vagrants, etc. There have been a lot of studies that show the exact opposite, that legalization has reduced crime in those areas and provided a safer environment for consumers to access this industry. Just look at what happened recently in New Haven with the illegal weed that was laced with K2, causing more than 100 people to overdose. These are the risks that occur when consumers don't have a safe and regulated environment to get clean and safe cannabis. Cannabis is in your state, city, and town whether it's legal or not, and it's foolish to not provide safe access through regulation."

The next expert I spoke with said the terms used within the cannabis industry could cause confusion when they are thrown around haphazardly.

Lex Pelger is the Science Director for Bluebird Botanicals, one of the largest quality hemp extract manufacturers and retailers in the world.

Misconception: "Marijuana," "hemp," and "cannabis" are the same thing.

"For investors looking to get into the industry and for customers looking to enhance their health, the terminology around the cannabis plant can be confusing. The terms marijuana, hemp, and cannabis get thrown around haphazardly. The main point for people to know is that all of those terms refer to the same plant - Cannabis sativa. In the United States, the division between marijuana and hemp is strictly a legal one. Federally, marijuana is defined as a cannabis with more than 0.3% THC, and hemp is cannabis with less than 0.3% THC. Thanks to the 2014 Federal Farm Bill, hemp can be grown in any state that establishes a compliant Hemp Pilot Program while marijuana remains federally illegal."

Marijuana stocks are often clumped into broad lists, but not all have the same risks...

Pantelis Ataliotis is the President of Dr. Dabber, a vaporizer company that created the revolutionary SWITCH induction vaporizer. Based in Nevada, Dr. Dabber is focused on developing innovative, technologically advanced products.

Misconception: Investing in the industry cannabis is inherently risky.

"One of the most common misconceptions about the cannabis industry from an investor standpoint is that all cannabis businesses are subject to the same red tape as growers or dispensaries. In fact, there are many ancillary businesses, like Dr. Dabber, that are benefiting from the cannabis industry without having to deal with confusing and potentially high-risk complications. It is entirely possible to operate within the cannabis ecosystem without being directly subject to these constraints."

Finally, our last expert said that the work on medical cannabis is just starting, even with recreational legalization sweeping North America...

Lisa Harun is the CMO of Vapium, a Canadian vaporizer company focused on providing durable, portable high-tech devices designed for outdoor use.

Misconception: Medical cannabis is just a stepping-stone to recreational.

"As the legalization of recreational marijuana continues to gain traction, there is a misconception that the work on medical marijuana is done. This simply is not the case. We are continuing to work to legitimize cannabis as medicine. The medicinal side of our industry must be supported as it is vital for the people who need it most. We cannot forget that cannabis is one of nature's most potent medicines, and so we must continue to do medical research to fully understand and unlock its full potential."

16 Surprising NEW Reasons Why Cannabis Stocks Could Make You Millions in 2018

[mmpazkzone name="in-story" network="9794" site="307044" id="137008" type="4"]

Compelling evidence predicts massive profits for cannabis investors in 2018.

Do you want to find out how to own the stocks potentially destined to soar up to 1,000% this election year?

For the answer, go here...

Follow Money Morning on FacebookTwitter, and LinkedIn.