Solving Curzio’s “The Marijuana Investment Story No One’s Telling”

by Travis Johnson, Stock Gumshoe | May 19, 2014 4:05 pm

Sniffing out the "backdoor" pot legalization story teased by Phase 1 Investor

Well, again Frank Curzio[1]’s Phase 1 Investor wins the prize for “teaser ad most Gumshoe readers are asking about” … so let’s give it a gander for you.

Phase 1 is a premium-priced ($3,500 is the current “on sale” cost) small cap newsletter published by Stansberry, and it tends to be among the most-requested letters for the Gumshoe treatment — no doubt because it’s too expensive for most individual investors to sample, and because they tend to tease intriguing little small-cap stocks in technology, biotech and natural resources… often stocks moset folks haven’t heard of, so curiosity rages.

And what piques it this time around? Marijuana stocks.

Ugh, I know — I can hear you sighing from here. Marijuana stocks are among the most hyped, ridiculous, pumped up names in the market. Every pump-and-dump operation that thought they could create a 3-D printing stock out of nowhere last year, or a gold[2] mine stock with no assets a couple years ago, has now decided to sell itself as a legalized pot story, with dozens of companies doubling, tripling or better in the last year or so. There are no doubt some real companies in the cannabis space, but I’m sure they’re absurdly expensive if they exist… and there are so many scams that it hardly seems worth researching all the hints that fly our way.

But still, Phase 1 isn’t a pump-and-dump operation (though their subscribers may sometimes benefit from new attention brought to the small cap stocks they favor) — whatever stock Curzio is teasing must have at least something “real” to it.

So what is it?

Here’s how he sells the idea, by first introducing a note of caution:

“… until today, we’ve never even considered recommending one of these stocks.

“Why?

“Several reasons…

“First… because most stocks in the marijuana[3] industry are already ridiculously overpriced.

“Like the dotcom boom of the late 1990s, the hype has far exceeded the reality.

“Take Medbox, for example, the company that’s developed a biometric vending machine for legal marijuana. Medbox recently had a market cap of over $1.1 billion.

“Yet, they brought in just $5 million last year.

“That means investors were paying 200 times what the company generated in sales.

“And second… there are a lot of indirect plays on marijuana that may or may not pan out. Like big tobacco[4] companies. Sure, the Altrias and Phillip Morrises of the world might one day dominate this market. But there are a lot of “ifs.” There’s no guarantee they’ll be able to corner the market, for example… or that they’d even want to. And these tobacco giants are so huge – the added business from selling marijuana really wouldn’t move their stock much higher.

“The point is, many direct plays in the marijuana market have already soared. And there are simply too many “ifs” to consider an indirect play right now.”

Then we get the, “but wait!”

“I’ve found an incredible and totally unique way to play the marijuana boom… and capitalize on this explosive, new market – that limits our exposure to these pitfalls…

“It’s THE marijuana investment practically NO ONE is talking about.”

What is this investment?

“this company offers a secret, backdoor way to own one of the most potentially lucrative marijuana investments in the world… which has leapt as high as $45… for less than $10 a share.”

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I love secret backdoors! You’ve got my attention.

“When word spreads about this tiny group… the incredible deal they’ve structured… and how they can essentially “go back in time” and buy one of the most well liked marijuana stocks for dimes on the dollar… it’s likely their shares will soar.”

Hmmm… must be a catch, right? Presumably so — you can look for it in a minute. First let’s make sure we can ID the company, sniffing through a few more clues dropped by Mr. Curzio:

“I believe this is, hands down, the safest, and most potentially lucrative investment in this sector right now… an incredible deal, with a small company that could easily pay us 200% or more… in the coming year….

“… this marijuana company is not really a marijuana company at all.

“You see, what I’ve actually uncovered here is a tale of two stocks.

“One is a marijuana stock,

“The other stock is a small investment firm, which, unbeknownst to most of the investment public, owns a very large stake in this marijuana stock.

“This small investment company has the legal right to exercise a contract that allows it to acquire shares of this tiny marijuana stock at about 70% less than it’s really worth on the market today….

“If the price of the underlying marijuana stock rises 40%, the small investment firm stands to make a profit of $50 million.

“And if the pot stock simply reverts to its 2014 high, they’ll hit the jackpot – and rake in over $100 million… a sum greater than the entire company’s market cap.”

And apparently we don’t even need this marijuana stock to double for our “secret” stock to rise dramatically…

“A mere 10% rise in the value of the marijuana stock could translate to a nearly 50% gain for investors who get in right now….

“Well, if the underlying stock gains 50% from here – which is entirely possible with Washington State coming online – the investment group’s stock could almost DOUBLE.”

So what is this? Thinkolator sez the most likely candidate (not 100% certain this time, but pretty sure) is Full Circle Capital (FULL), a BDC which owns warrants[5] on and has a pending convertible debt offering with Advanced Cannabis Solutions (CANN)[6].

CANN is one of the “picks and shovels” suppliers to the marijuana industry, one of the many companies that is trying to profit from the marijuana business without actually selling pot itself. They seem to be focused on sale/leaseback operations with growing facilities, and on selling stuff like “child-resistant baggies” to the industry. Haven’t really looked at them (or at any other marijuana stocks, frankly), but the companies that try to avoid being actual growers, wholesalers or retailers are essentially trying to reduce their exposure to the parts of the business that are still technically illegal under federal law and are, at the least, very early on in the development of a predictable regulatory environment.

Full Circle Capital is a very small BDC, with a market capitalization around $75 million (at $7 and change per share), and like most BDCs[7] they pay a dividend (approaching 10% in their case) from money they earn by lending cash to mid-market companies — the kinds of companies that are too big for the local bank and too small for Wall Street financing.

And FULL owns warrants on one million shares of CANN stock ($5.50 strike price) that they bought (for $500,000) as part of an agreement to provide $30 million in convertible financing to CANN. That’s obviously worth something now, since CANN shares are up around $18, but the shares attached to that warrant aren’t registered yet and would create dilution so they might not necessarily be worth the full $13+ per share that you’d think they’re valued at today (the company valued them at a little over $10 in their last quarterly report, so $10 millionish… almost all profit).

Which means we’re not looking at doubling FULL shares just because CANN goes up a little bit — but certainly those warrants are valuable and very levered to CANN share price movements. The really big impact for FULL comes if and when the actual funding is supplied under the convertible debt agreement … because the full $30 million will be convertible at various prices depending on when different tranches go into effect, but the very first tranche of $7.5 million of funding from FULL comes at a $5 per share conversion and would be quite valuable instantly at current prices. That would mean they’d effectively be getting 1.5 million shares for their $7.5 million investment, and right now 1.5 million shares are worth over $22 million. So in theory, you could see that just getting this first tranche through in CANN funding and owning those warrants would give FULL access to shares that are worth about $37 million right now in exchange for an $8 million investment.

That’s an exaggeration in lots of ways — but if the marijuana stocks go crazy again FULL could reap larger benefits (again, if the convertible debt deal gets finalized). But basically, if they do the first tranche of this convertible debt (I don’t know whether or not they will), then Full Circle will have effectively gotten 2.5 million shares for $8 million. If CANN stock goes back to $45, then those 2.5 million shares would be worth $112 million… and if you want to pencil in the rest of the convertible debt offering too, well, the math gets more complicated but certainly that would be, um, more.

So you can massage those numbers and make them more or less reasonable — FULL already trades right around book value at $70 million, so if you throw $70 million in profit at them the stock probably at least doubles. And they are only exposed to CANN and the marijuana business to the extent that they lend CANN money from here, so if they don’t complete the convertible funding for whatever reason then they just have the warrants and they’ve only invested $500,000 for something that could be worth upwards of $10 million today and whatever the future return happens to be.

I have no idea whether it will work out, or even whether the seemingly unstoppable wave of marijuana legalization legislation will create any big and profitable companies (as opposed to trade-able speculative stocks without much in the way of “numbers”)… and I’m not buying any of the pot stocks personally at the moment. But this is our best solution to the teaser pitch — I’m rushing out the door, so I’ll let you discuss this one amongst yourselves. For more perspective, you can see an interesting assessment of CANN here by a SeekingAlpha contributor[8] and the latest Full Circle quarterly call transcript here[9].

Endnotes:
  1. Frank Curzio: https://www.stockgumshoe.com/tag/frank-curzio/
  2. gold: https://www.stockgumshoe.com/tag/gold/
  3. marijuana: https://www.stockgumshoe.com/tag/marijuana/
  4. tobacco: https://www.stockgumshoe.com/tag/tobacco/
  5. warrants: https://www.stockgumshoe.com/tag/warrants/
  6. Advanced Cannabis Solutions (CANN): https://www.stockgumshoe.com/tag/cann/
  7. BDCs: https://www.stockgumshoe.com/tag/bdcs/
  8. interesting assessment of CANN here by a SeekingAlpha contributor: http://seekingalpha.com/article/2169183-recent-pot-suspensions-the-fate-of-advanced-cannabis-solutions-and-full-circle-capital
  9. Full Circle quarterly call transcript here: http://seekingalpha.com/article/2207463-full-circle-capitals-full-ceo-gregg-felton-on-q3-2014-results-earnings-call-transcript

Source URL: https://www.stockgumshoe.com/reviews/phase-1-investor/solving-curzios-the-marijuana-investment-story-no-ones-telling/


68 responses to “Solving Curzio’s “The Marijuana Investment Story No One’s Telling””

  1. poppajohn says:

    When I developed my own Pot index of the Aggregate Value of all Pot stocks, CANN was excluded because they were suspended by the SEC. I did the research and found that the business was created by by the shell of a failed oil industry company so they could start selling stock immediately during the marijuana stock bubble. Despite the negative effect of being delisted, the stock is not much worse than the rest of the industry. They are down 47% compared to an industry weighted average of 41%.
    From my notes:
    Financials missing from SEC
    FUNDAMENTALS
    EPS:NA
    PE Ratio: NA
    Tangible BV per share NA
    Cash per share NA
    Cash flow per share NA
    Company Background listed in stock descriptions at Scottrade, because the investors took over a nonoperating shell company and changed the name.
    Advanced Cannabis Solutions, Inc. is an independent geographic information system and custom draft energy mapping company for the oil and gas industry in the United States and Canada. The Company provides hard copy and digital format oil and gas production maps, which cover various geologic basins in numerous areas, including Denver Basin, Powder River Basin, Michigan Basin, Williston Basin, Arkoma Basin, Illinois Basin, Cincinnati Arch, Uintah – Piceance Basins and The Nevada Basin. The Company also provides maps of the North American Coal Basin and Coal Bed Methane Activity and North American Devonian-Mississippian Shale Map with detailed pipeline locations. The Company operates in two segments: Petroleum mapping business and Real estate leasing business.
    http://www.advcannabis.com
    Press Releases
    Advanced Cannabis Solutions, Inc. Comments on SEC Stop Trading Order Marketwired March 27, 2014: 03:20 PM ET
    (OTCQB: CANN) Today the Securities and Exchange Commission temporarily stopped trading in the Company’s common stock. The SEC’s reason for the stop trading order was that “There are questions regarding whether certain undisclosed affiliates and shareholders of Advanced Cannabis’ common stock engaged in an unlawful public distribution of securities”.
    No one at the SEC contacted the Company or any of its officers or directors regarding whatever questions they had regarding this matter.
    All of the shares owned by the Company’s officers and directors are restricted and have not traded in the public market.
    About Advanced Cannabis Solutions
    ACS provides a comprehensive set of solutions to the regulated cannabis industry, including real estate leasing and cannabis business consulting. ACS plans to work exclusively with licensed and regulated clients.
    ACS does not grow, harvest, distribute or sell cannabis or any substances that violate United States law or the Controlled Substances Act, nor does it intend to do so in the future.
    More Press Releases
    Mar 27 Advanced Cannabis Solutions, Inc. Comments on SEC Stop Trading Order– Marketwired
    Mar 18 Medical Marijuana Industry Hitting New Highs -Company Closes $4.6 Million Dollar Acqu…– PR Newswire
    Mar 17 Advanced Cannabis Solutions Analyst Review, by BrokerBank Securities, Inc.– PR Newswire
    From MSNBC marijuana-market-watch
    Advanced Cannabis Solutions; Currently focused on Colorado, Advanced Cannabis Solutions (CANN) buys growing facilities and leases them to growers. The company looks for an ROI over 25 percent and 10-year deals for contracts. With an experienced management team, Advanced Cannabis Solutions is looking to build a consulting and other marijuana-related businesses. CEO Robert Frichtel stated, “Every new state that legalizes MMJ creates hundreds of new opportunities, so we’re looking to evolve with the industry’s needs.” Advanced Cannabis Solutions does file with the SEC.

    Personally I am not sure buying land and purposefully leasing it to people for activity that the Federal Government considers illegal is a good business model.

  2. dlaprete says:

    I think we buy into the idea that some of these companys in hopes that eventually the fed see’s the potential money they will make and loosen the grip and some of these co’s will contribute to the recreational and medicinal area’s of the sector.

  3. vivianlewis says:

    the way to play marijuana is the same as before: to produce it in a secret room in your home and get someone else to peddle the stuff. it is for now incompatible with stock market investing, particularly because of all the hype and boom-bust we have seen. for most people smoking the stuff recreationally doesn’t open the door to serious harm but there are vulnerable people who go off the deep end with something others can deal with, who become schizophrenic or drop into some other psychological hell after a few small puffs. (The situation is comparable to that with alcohol which also most of us can deal with but which some people are genetically inclined to abuse.) I am in favor of decriminalization of marijuana but not in favor of investing in the production of it. Typical older female caution.

  4. c193 says:

    Couldn’t one turn to the Netherlands for valid data on MJ?

  5. dslarsen says:

    The teaser email says the stock pays an 11% dividend. CANN does not pay a dividend per Yahoo.

    QUOTE:
    Dear S&A Digest Reader,

    If you’ve been paying any attention to the news, I’m sure you’ve heard about a totally new and potentially massive industry that’s sprung up, right here in the USA.

    Yes, I’m talking about legalized marijuana.

    Well, after extensive research, we believe we have found a backdoor into this industry.

    It’s an unconventional stock with incredible potential and limited downside risk.

    It even pays an 11% dividend…

    END QUOTE

  6. Mark says:

    I guess I’m 3 months late to the conversation. I bought a stock in a bankrupt company called (RTXBQ) A penny stock which is very risky. Then It dropped the Q Which meant it was not bankrupt anymore?, so they changed the ticker to (RTXB) Then They hired a person That was familer to introducing new products to like the grocery industry. Now remember I own the stock so my opinion might be way wrong. However I would like to say that That it deals in hemp seed products. You can’t get high from hemp seeds. However they do contain omega’s 3, 6, and 9, which may be something to recognize cancer cells in the body, (maybe) Then they changed the ticker again to (THCZ) They are about to release a very few limited items on the market. Hemp seed drinks. I’m thinking they might do very well. They are not a Monster beverage like company, however I bought the stock because I beleive Hemp seed Is better than flax seed at supplying the body with needed nuturition, to prevent cancers. I thing they should market in health food stores, not grocery stores. It is a very risky penny stock. So if you are able to do some research before buying, which is very hard to do on penny stocks, you need to do it. All your money could be gone in a day. I bought at a penny, It’s 2 cents now, very risky, but I’m holding on for now. Hemp seeds are very healthy, However it could blow up into a pile of dust, risk is involved. and I’m commenting on something I own. First red flag when I read comments. I have not been able to try the product that has not been introduced, I’m hoping for the best

  7. SoGiAm says:

    Medical Marijuana Clinical Trials- http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/281605481.html
    FYI
    Best-Ben

  8. hipockets says:

    I did not read these emails that I received, but could not help noticing the persistence of the pumping from InvestorsEdge:
    12/3/14 Subject: CANK continues steady rise up the Chart
    12/5/14 Subject: CANK: The perfect storm is forming right now
    12/6/14 Subject: CANK finishes the week up, primed for quick start ..
    12/7/14 Subject: CANK Expected to Continue Upward
    12/8/14 Subject: CANK set to open the week strong as upward pressure continues to mount
    12/10/14 Subject: CANK gathers support for next push
    12/12/14 Subject: CANK breakout ahead, building a higher base
    12/15/14 Subject: CANK up by more than thirty percent for December
    12/19/14 Subject: CANK: Continued Growth for 2015
    I finally got curious and looked it up at Scottrade. At he beginning of this crusade, the stock closed at $1.09. reached $1.08 on 12/12, fell to 0.92 on 12/18, and today, 12/21, is $1.00. Smokin’ hot!

    “Cannabis Kinetics Corp. (CANK) is a cannabis management company. The Company focuses on the management of recreational and medical marijuana retail dispensaries, the management of licensed marijuana cultivation facilities, production and distribution of hemp and marijuana infused food & beverage and ancillary products. In addition, CANK focuses to provide management of retail and wholesale operations for grow stores. HBH Industries Incorporated (HBH) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cannabis Kinetics and is the direct management company for Monarch America Inc, REM International and R.E.M Beverage. HBH focuses to provide service management and consulting services to the marijuana sector. HBH focuses to provide licensing and lease agreements for marijuana cultivation properties and equipment, marijuana testing laboratory facilities and C-Level management recruiting, contract employment, and staffing services.
    http://www.cannabiskinetics.com

  9. bloomingrose says:

    Well it is at 3.55 – down one-half from when this article was written a year ago.

  10. dealerdeb1 says:

    I just read a tease in Monday Morning Michael Robinson about a BDC that funds pot start-ups this must be Full as well. Have to buy their Newsletter to be sure hahahah not happening

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