The Green Rush is Spreading Across America

The Green Rush is on.

Cannabis deregulation is opening up so many new possibilities that economists are comparing it to the Gold Rushes of the 1800’s. Suddenly the Green Rush is creating jobs. Companies are sprouting, pioneering revolutionary business models in uncharted territories.  Despite the atmosphere of fear created by federal prohibition, new industries continues to grow and evolve.

While most consumers in states where medical marijuana use is permitted may just notice the abundance of dispensaries, in reality this economic boom reaches across numerous industries. Catering to medical patients and their providers is just one. A related but distinct industry sells equipment to growers and breeders. But perhaps the most poorly recognized opportunities involve creating products using some of the 25,000 known uses for hemp.

Each industry is growing rapidly as deregulation spreads and consumers become more aware of the benefits of cannabis products. Americans are capitalizing on these opportunities by launching business ventures and investing in the visionary companies with the teams capable of leading one of the evolving industries.

And people are noticing. Mainstream media sources are tracking the cannabis industry, usage statistics and political trends. Venture capitalists are coming out of the wood work to fund startups. Investing in cannabusinesses is a hot topic in online forums and blogs.

Brendan Kennedy, CEO and founder of Privateer Holdings, a private equity firm focused on cannabis, estimates a legalized cannabis market to be worth $50 billion.

The Green Rush is here. Now it’s merely a question of who will reap the economic benefits from it — corporate America or American entrepreneurs?