The marijuana industry is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 34% through 2030, and many investors are seeking to profit. As states and entire countries decriminalize or legalize cannabis and/or its components, there are growing opportunities for entrepreneurs and existing companies. This is especially true with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) moving to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule 1 controlled substance (no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse) to Schedule 3 (drugs that have moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence).
As with any nascent industry, there are also plenty of investment risks. Whether you're a first-time investor or a seasoned veteran, it pays to understand how this industry works. This guide will get you up to speed quickly and includes our picks for the top marijuana stocks.
Best marijuana stocks for 2025
1. Green Thumb Industries
OTC: GTBIF
Key Data Points
Over-the-Counter (OTC)
2. Trulieve Cannabis
3. Innovative Industrial Properties
Revenue
4. Quest Diagnostics
NYSE: DGX
Key Data Points
Quest Diagnostics (DGX -1.89%) might be a surprising pick to include in a list of marijuana stocks. It's one of the world's largest providers of laboratory testing services.
How does Quest tie in with the cannabis industry? The widespread legalization of marijuana in states across the U.S. is driving increasing demand for drug testing in the workplace. Quest offers drug testing services and is certified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for federally mandated drug testing of workers in some safety-sensitive fields.
Quest could be an attractive stock for more risk-averse investors who want to profit from the legalization of cannabis. It has a long track record of success and is consistently profitable.
5. Turning Point Brands
NYSE: TPB
Key Data Points
Turning Point Brands (TPB -0.78%) is a leading supplier of smoking accessories and oral tobacco. Its products include Zig-Zag rolling papers, Clipper lighters, and Stoker's and Beechnut tobacco products.
The company has significant growth opportunities due to the legalization of cannabis in the U.S. Turning Point Brands estimates an addressable market of around $200 million in the alternative market for headshops and cannabis dispensaries.
Marijuana stocks overview
Let's cover some of the basics you need to know before investing in marijuana stocks.
- The marijuana industry is divided into three broad categories. Marijuana growers and retailers cultivate and package cannabis products and sell them to consumers. Biotechnology companies develop and market cannabis-based pharmaceutical drugs. Ancillary marijuana businesses provide products and services to cannabis companies without touching the plant.
- Cannabis can be medical or recreational. Medical cannabis patients use cannabis or cannabis extracts to treat health conditions and have recommendations or cannabis prescriptions from physicians. Recreational cannabis users purchase marijuana or cannabis extracts purely for enjoyment and must be 18 or older and living in a jurisdiction where recreational use of the plant is legal.
- Geography matters. Medical cannabis is legal in many more countries than recreational cannabis. In the U.S., cannabis remains illegal at the federal level. However, a growing number of states have legalized medical and/or recreational cannabis. And -- as mentioned earlier -- steps are underway to reschedule marijuana. The rapid growth of the U.S. cannabis market is translating into impressive growth by U.S.-based cannabis companies, while marijuana companies in Canada -- where the plant is already fully legal nationwide -- are expanding more slowly. Canada is one of the global legal markets where supply is outpacing demand and leading to falling cannabis prices.
Pros and cons of investing in marijuana stocks
The positive aspects of investing in marijuana stocks include:
- The global cannabis industry is still in its early stages and has significant upside potential even without the federal legalization of marijuana in the U.S.
- U.S. federal legalization of marijuana would likely provide a major catalyst for marijuana stocks.
- Marijuana stocks could offer investors an asset that doesn't always track with the broader stock market and, therefore, provide additional diversification.
However, potential negatives associated with investing in marijuana stocks include:
- Significant regulatory uncertainty exists with marijuana, especially at the federal level in the U.S.
- Marijuana stocks can be highly volatile.
- U.S. marijuana companies can have limited access to traditional financial services.
How to invest in marijuana stocks
The following are key steps to take to invest in marijuana stocks:
- Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
- Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
Related investing topics
Should you buy marijuana stocks?
Just because there's a trendy new sector with lots of press and potential growth doesn't mean you need to invest in it. If you buy broad-based index funds, you're covered no matter which sectors of the stock market do well. Conservative investors who prefer lower risk are likely better off avoiding investing in marijuana stocks.
Some marijuana stocks can be highly volatile. This highlights why using margin to buy these stocks should be avoided.
Aggressive investors with high risk tolerances, though, will probably find a lot to like about marijuana stocks. The cannabis industry is still in its early stages. The market opportunities are enormous, especially as more U.S. states legalize cannabis. Investing in these stocks is a high-risk but potentially high-reward proposition.
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