When 2019 began, it was expected to be an incredibly "green" year for the cannabis industry. Canada had just commenced recreational weed sales in October 2018; higher-margin derivative products were expected to hit dispensary shelves in Canada soon thereafter; and President Trump had just signed the farm bill into law, thereby legalizing the industrial production of hemp and hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD).
Arguably, the greatest excitement surrounded CBD, the nonpsychoactive cannabinoid that's best known for its perceived medical benefits. Since CBD doesn't get users high, there's a considerably broader patient pool for infused products than anything marijuana related. And it also doesn't hurt that the U.S. population is considerably larger than Canada, providing a juicier opportunity for the CBD industry.
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