The recent interest in marijuana as an investment idea is garnering more than just a little buzz from the investment community and beyond.
As the regulatory landscape around marijuana continues to evolve in the US and here in Canada the conversation has also begun to change. The concerns, it appears, have been shifting away from whether or not it is acceptable to use, and towards understanding circumstances for appropriate use and how best to structure as well as regulate the cultivation, processing, distribution and (of course) taxation.
While some of the conversation on the wave of ‘ganjapreneurs’ is tongue-in-cheek (see Stephen Colbert’s recent view on the matter here), the Canadian conversation is currently focused on how marijuana for medicinal purposes can be made more widely available.
The following piece by Proactive Investors, provides some background to the recent interest in medical marijuana stocks here in Canada. It highlights two CSE-listed companies, Enertopia (CSE:TOP) as well as Abattis Bioceuticals (CSE:ATT) as emerging players in this space.
Another recent addition to the CSE listed company roster – Next Gen Metals (CSE:N) – has also identified itself as a participant in the hemp and medical marijuana space having recently created a division to address this market opportunity. Southbridge Resources (CSE:SOU), a CSE listed company, also recently announced that they are making possible inroads into the sector with the potential acquisition of Vodis Innovative Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Without question, the road ahead on marijuana as investment appears to be paved with uncertainties. Nevertheless, entrepreneurs and investors are already at work trying to find where and when ‘budding’ opportunities in the ‘pot-com’ industry are going to present themselves next.
This year’s PDAC was a great opportunity to connect with the mining & exploration industry, government, investors and more. For the Canadian Securities Exchange it was particularly eventful because in addition to having a very busy booth at the Investor’s Exchange, our team was also involved in keynote addresses, panels, networking events (including the parties!) and interviews.
The PDAC has continued to be the conference where mining and exploration companies and investors (big and small) converge to talk about the state of the industry, raise capital and talk about what’s coming next.
With so much going on, there’s no shortage of things to reflect on, however here is a sample of what we got up to at the convention and our thoughts on what the remainder of 2014 holds for the industry.
Our conference swag also brought in curious passers by who were interested in getting their “shine on” with our CSE-branded screen wipes and shoe shiners.
Convention Activities
There were lots of exciting conversations, sessions and activities outside of the exhibition hall that we participated in. Here are some of the highlights:
Mining Outlook Luncheon
One of the first big events was the sold-out mining outlook luncheon. Deputy Chairman of the CSE, Ned Goodman, was the keynote speaker at this session and he provided the audience with an entertaining and thoughtful perspective of the current state of the global economy with a particular focus on currency and gold. We’ve pulled together an interesting selection of tweets from folks in the audience at the presentation.
An Exchange with the Exchanges
CSE’s CEO Richard Carleton participated in the panel discussion on the role that stock exchanges can play in assisting mining (and in particular junior mining) and exploration companies in navigating the current capital raising crisis. Joining Richard on the panel was Eddie Grieve of the Australian Stock Exchange, Francis Stenning of Bolsa de Valores de Lima, Peru and John McCoach of the TSX Venture Exchange.
At this event Richard outlined some important points about what exchanges can do and what other stakeholder partners can do in order to help companies adapt to the new market realities. On the exchange side, the CSE is lowering the cash and operational burden for companies to maintain a public listing and making it easier for trading desks to access market data.
Examples of the impact of disclosure policy on companies was also highlighted. The Australian Stock Exchange was shown as an example of an exchange that confronted the issue of regulatory burden and the success and challenges it experienced as a result.
One very interesting point that came up was the idea of regulatory-driven restrictions on the kinds of investments that could be recommended to individuals based on their age. Richard Carleton aptly framed what he found troublesome about this when he pointed out that by restricting the age that certain products could be recommended to individuals, people such as Ned Goodman would be steered away from investing in equities.
Networking Lunch/Make the Switch Seminar
A packed house attended the networking lunch co-sponsored by the CSE, MNP LLP and Chitiz Pathak LLP. Attendees were treated to lunch as well as some food for thought as several CSE-listed companies presented a brief snapshot of their company story. A hats off goes to CSE Senior VP Robert Cook for being able to keep everyone on course during the presentations.
CEO Richard Carleton also provided some brief highlights on the recent performance of the exchange and on the exciting forthcoming developments at the CSE – including further progress with getting more online brokerages to provide online trading and real-time data to their clients.
After the networking lunch, the CSE provided a quick overview of what was involved in transitioning to listing on the CSE, including details on timing and the steps required. For more information on the process, click here.
For those who know Ned Goodman, he is not one to beat around the bush. The electric interview between him and Howard Green of BNN’s Headline was a great snapshot of Ned’s views on gold and on what it takes to successfully run and manage mining companies. Click the following link to access this interview.
Overall Impressions
The PDAC, especially this year, exemplified the resilient spirit of the mining industry. When faced with adversity, the industry is working creatively to adapt to the current market and the CSE, with its advocacy efforts and solutions for industry partners, is proud to be a part of that solution.
With the number of deals, announcements and meetings that took place at the PDAC, 2014 looks to be an exciting year ahead for the industry and most certainly for the CSE and our partners. We’re grateful for the connections we have made and look forward to building off the positive momentum from PDAC.
CSE was fortunate to have a double-wide booth at PDAC 2014 that it shared with several issuers over the course of the show. We also had the opportunity to connect with all of our listed companies spread across the floor – see the full gallery below:
CSE’s booth at PDAC 2014
Tartisan Resources (CSE:TTC) and Cadman Resources (CSE:CZC)
Want to Grow Your Business?
Excalibur Resources (CSE:XBR) and Newlox Gold Ventures (CSE:LUX) at the CSE booth
Activity at the CSE booth at PDAC 2014
BacTech Environmental (CSE:BAC) also at the CSE booth at PDAC 2014
CSE-listed Mag Copper (CSE:QUE)
The CSE booth at PDAC 2014
CSE-listed Renforth Resources (CSE:RFR)
CSE-listed Mag Copper (CSE:QUE)
CSE-listed Creso Exploration (CSE:CXT)
CSE-listed Rockex Mining (CSE:RXM)
CSE-listed Pasinex Resources (CSE:PSE)
CSE-listed Pasinex Resources (CSE:PSE)
CSE-listed Talmora Diamond (CSE:TAI)
CSE-listed Talmora Diamond (CSE:TAI)
CSE-listed Montana Gold Mining (CSE:MGM)
CSE-listed Alabama Graphite (CSE:ALP)
CSE-listed Alabama Graphite (CSE:ALP)
CSE-listed Banro (CSE:BAA.PR.A)
CSE-listed KWG Resources (CSE:KWG)
Setting sights high at the CSE booth at PDAC 2014
CSE VP, Listings Development James Black and CEO Richard Carleton
CSE, along with MNP LLP and Chitiz Pathak LLP, hosted another successful investor luncheon during the PDAC in Toronto. This event welcomed an all-time high number of attendees and was headlined by several companies listed on the exchange. Enjoy the pictures and we will see you next year!
Thank you to everyone who attended the second CEO Cocktail event at Coast Restaurant in Vancouver on February 19th. The event turned out to be a smashing success! Thank you to Bacchus Law for lead sponsoring the soiree and organizing everything. Please see if you made the photo gallery below and we look forward to seeing you at the next event!
In just a few days, the 2014 edition of the PDAC conference will take place. Hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees from all over the world are expected to converge at the Toronto Convention Centre to learn about and discuss the latest trends, thoughts and technologies impacting the mining industry.
Among the dozens of topics that will be discussed in various panels and workshops, one of the burning issues on the minds of many attendees will be the current capital raising climate.
As many readers may already know, the CSE has been actively engaging in the conversation about finding ways to enable junior mining and exploration companies to successfully weather the current capital raising storm.
From the exhibition floor to the podium, the CSE will continue in its efforts to promote innovative and pragmatic solutions for junior mining and exploration companies as well as for the industry as a whole.
Here is a rundown of the events and activities the CSE will be participating in at PDAC 2014:
Mineral Outlook Luncheon, Monday March 3rd
Ned Goodman, Deputy Chairman of the CSE and President & CEO of Dundee Corporation will be the keynote speaker at the (now sold out) Mineral Outlook Luncheon on Monday March 3rd from 12PM-2PM
An Exchange with the Exchanges: The Role of Stock Exchanges in Facilitating Capital-Raising, Tuesday March 4th
CSE CEO Richard Carleton will be a member of a panel of guests representing stock exchanges in Canada, Australia and Peru as part of the session entitled “An Exchange with the Exchanges: The Role of Stock Exchanges in Facilitating Capital-Raising.” This panel will discuss the state of the mineral exploration industry and the role that stock exchanges can play in helping companies navigate the current capital environment. For more information on this session at 10:30AM please click here.
PDAC Investor Lunch & Networking Event, Tuesday March 4th
The CSE is co-sponsoring a lunch and networking event along with MNP LLP, and Chitiz Pathak LLP. This event will feature presentations from CSE-listed companies as well as opportunities for PDAC attendees to network with one another. Click the following link for more details on the PDAC Investor Lunch which is to be held on Tuesday March 4th from 11:30AM to 1PM.
Making the Switch to CSE, Tuesday March 4th
For those interested in learning more about how to make the transition to the CSE, be sure to register for and attend the Making the Switch session on Tuesday, March 4th from 1:15PM-2PM.
In addition to events, the CSE will also be exhibiting at booths 2542 and 2544 where attendees can meet with members of our team as well as talk to representatives from several CSE listed companies.
PDAC 2014 runs from March 2nd to March 5th in Toronto at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. For more information, including registration information and schedules, you can visit their website at http://www.pdac.ca/convention.
If you are attending, be sure to say hi to our team in person or via Twitter. We look forward to seeing you there!
CSE was thrilled to host it’s network of supporters from the professional community on February 18th at the Pan Pacific in Vancouver. This was the first leg in a series of events across Canada celebrating the new CSE branding and to extend a big THANK-YOU to everyone who has supported the exchange over the past decade.
A good time was had, including a rousing speech from CSE CEO Richard Carleton who presented a very exciting road map for the exchange over the coming months. Select pictures from the event are available in the gallery below:
CSE and the team from 360 Capital (CSE:TSZ)
James Black, Grant Block, Paul Fang, and Bahar Saadat
Celebrating in style!
Alixe Cormick and Harvey Lawson
Gilbert Chan talks to Bill Ying
Jeremy Wright from Seatrend Strategy
The team from Super Nova Minerals (CSE:SNP) cozies up to the bar
Nicole from Sparx Trading engaged in discussion
Joe Nuyten and Jamie Hyland pose in from of the CSE colours
Richard Carleton discusses the roadmap for CSE’s success moving forward
Richard Carleton, CEO of CSE, thanks all of the Vancouver supporters
Santo wins Olympic mittens by answering a skill testing question!
James Black acknowledges all of the supporters that have made CSE what it is over the past decade
Santo Sandhu and Tony Simon share a drink
Brian Gusko and Julius Liptak grab a bite
James Black talks exchanges with Brett Kagetsu
Gilbert, Tony, and David talk capital markets
Peter Murray enjoys a beer with Bill Macdonald
Brian Thomas and Stewart Muglich enjoy the appetizers
Nikita Chou enjoys a glass of red with Linas Antanavicius
Good discussion was had at the CSE Rebranding Mixer