The ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF (NYSEArca: MJ) remains the lone dedicated cannabis ETF listed in the U.S., but some issuers are looking to change that.
AdvisorShares, one of the largest issuers of actively managed ETFs, recently filed plans with Securities and Exchange Commission for the AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF. If approved, that fund would trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker YOLO.
“The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in securities of companies that derive at least 50% of their net revenue from the marijuana and hemp industry or that are registered with the DEA specifically for the purpose of handling marijuana for lawful research and development of cannabis or cannabinoid-related products and in derivatives or other instruments that have economic characteristics similar to such securities,” according to the SEC filing.
Another Marijuana ETF Effort
AdvisorShares already offers the AdvisorShares Vice ETF (NasdaqGM: ACT), which debuted in late 2017. ACT is up 5.25% year-to-date.
While not solely targeting the cannabis industry, the AdvisorShares Vice ETF includes companies that derive at least 50% of their net revenue from the marijuana and hemp industry or have at least 50% of their company assets dedicated to lawful research and development of cannabis or cannabinoid-related products. Specifically, the fund includes a 22% position to cannabis-related companies.