Weed week: Cannabis researchers are still split on matters of the heart
The AHA says THC marijuana may have negative heart effects, although CBD products might be beneficial. (Pic: Getty)
As pot-stock aficionados know, investing in cannabis means navigating a labyrinth of regulatory developments which differ by jurisdiction.
The latest big name in healthcare to weigh in is the American Heart Association, which this week released some more sobering research — weed probably ain’t that good for the ticker.
The AHA said that cannabis has the potential to interfere with prescribed medications, and could also “trigger cardiovascular conditions” such as heart attacks.
So smoking and vaping are out, but the AHA said THC products that be consumed via oral or topical (applied to the skin) pathways “may reduce some of the potential harms”.
However, the study also highlighted some relevant findings for Australia’s CBD-only market.
Not only does cannabidiol appear to be have no heart side-effects, it may also help with reduced inflammation (a key driver of heart problems) and lower blood pressure.
The group added that there were limitations to the study in the first place — primarily because marijuana is still classified as a Schedule 1 drug by the US Drug Enforcement Agency, which means restrictions are currently in place on more detailed research into the health effects of marijuana.
Back on local markets — the cohort of 34 cannabis (or cannabis-adjacent) stocks had a reasonable fortnight by recent standards.
14 companies made a gain over the last two weeks, while four stocks traded flat and 19 were in the red.
Below is a summary of fortnightly and annual price performance for ASX-listed cannabis stocks:
Scroll or swipe to reveal table. Click headings to sort.
| Code | Name | Price ($) | 2W Tot Ret | 1Y Tot Ret | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUD | SUDA PHARMACEUTICALS LTD | 0.047 | 53.6% | -49.2% | $8.7M |
| DTZ | DOTZ NANO LTD | 0.19 | 18.8% | 216.7% | $59.9M |
| APH | AUSTRALIAN PRIMARY HEMP LTD | 0.15 | 18.5% | -27.3% | $11.2M |
| WOA | WIDE OPEN AGRICULTURE LTD | 0.45 | 15.4% | 181.3% | $37.0M |
| ZLD | ZELIRA THERAPEUTICS LTD | 0.06 | 11.3% | -26.3% | $57.4M |
| EN1 | ENGAGE:BDR LTD | 0.009 | 6.7% | -77.8% | $10.1M |
| IDT | IDT AUSTRALIA LTD | 0.16 | 6.7% | 6.7% | $38.3M |
| BOT | BOTANIX PHARMACEUTICALS LTD | 0.052 | 4.1% | -78.3% | $49.6M |
| CP1 | CANNPAL ANIMAL THERAPEUTICS | 0.14 | 3.7% | -26.3% | $13.0M |
| BDA | BOD AUSTRALIA LTD | 0.275 | 1.9% | -51.3% | $25.1M |
| AC8 | AUSCANN GROUP HOLDINGS LTD | 0.155 | 0.0% | -65.9% | $46.0M |
| EVE | EVE INVESTMENTS LTD | 0.006 | 0.0% | 33.3% | $22.4M |
| CPH | CRESO PHARMA LTD | 0.031 | 0.0% | -92.6% | $11.4M |
| RGI | ROTO-GRO INTERNATIONAL LTD | 0.046 | 0.0% | -75.1% | $6.9M |
| CAU | CRONOS AUSTRALIA LTD | 0.078 | -1.3% | -82.0% | $10.0M |
| EXL | ELIXINOL GLOBAL LTD | 0.17 | -2.9% | -93.3% | $31.8M |
| MDC | MEDLAB CLINICAL LTD | 0.14 | -3.4% | -73.1% | $39.2M |
| THC | THC GLOBAL GROUP LTD | 0.27 | -3.5% | -41.5% | $47.6M |
| ESE | ESENSE-LAB LTD-CDI | 0.018 | -5.3% | -30.8% | $9.2M |
| IHL | INCANNEX HEALTHCARE LTD | 0.066 | -5.7% | -16.5% | $50.3M |
| RNO | RHINOMED LTD | 0.075 | -6.3% | -76.6% | $19.0M |
| EOF | ECOFIBRE LTD | 2.43 | -7.3% | -20.0% | $800.3M |
| LSH | LIFESPOT HEALTH LTD | 0.04 | -7.5% | -47.1% | $3.6M |
| LGP | LITTLE GREEN PHARMA | 0.335 | -8.2% | -25.6% | $25.3M |
| MXC | MGC PHARMACEUTICALS LTD | 0.022 | -8.3% | -57.7% | $34.8M |
| MMJ | MMJ GROUP HOLDINGS LTD | 0.097 | -9.8% | -64.1% | $22.3M |
| ROO | ROOTS SUSTAINABLE AGRICU-CDI | 0.018 | -10.0% | -70.5% | $2.9M |
| AGH | ALTHEA GROUP HOLDINGS LTD | 0.32 | -11.1% | -68.3% | $74.7M |
| PAL | PALLA PHARMA LTD | 0.88 | -12.0% | -31.9% | $110.8M |
| MRG | MURRAY RIVER ORGANICS GROUP | 0.013 | -13.3% | -70.5% | $28.7M |
| SCU | STEMCELL UNITED LTD | 0.012 | -20.0% | -29.4% | $7.7M |
| ECS | ECS BOTANICS HOLDINGS LTD | 0.018 | -28.0% | -73.9% | $9.8M |
| CAN | CANN GROUP LTD | 0.455 | -31.1% | -77.3% | $87.8M |
| YPB | YPB GROUP LTD | 0.004 | -42.9% | -50.0% | $10.7M |
There was an easy winner at the top of this week’s list, as Suda Pharmaceuticals (ASX:SDA) ripped higher by 54 per cent — the biggest two-week gain for an ASX pot stock in recent memory.
The catalyst was some positive regulatory news last week, as the company got approval to sell ZolpiMist — its mouth spray version of the insomnia drug zolpidem — into the Australian market earlier than it expected.
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