What is it about cannabis that people find so appealing? Is it the mind-blowing beauty of the weed, the relaxation that comes with smoking it or the fact that it is safer than most prescription medications available over the counter? Maybe it’s all about the social stigma attached to being addicted to pot and the fear of being ostracized for using it. Whatever your reason for wanting to get involved in the cannabis industry, investing in cannabis OTC stocks sounds like a great way to make your money work for you. Here are five tips to help you do just that.

First, know your stock. Just like buying other stocks, in certain situations you may want to stick with the more traditional stocks like penny stocks and bonds. Other options you have include stocks that trade as part of the marijuana sector. Keep in mind, though, that the U.S. government does not yet recognize marijuana as a legitimate enterprise and has no plans to do so in the near future.

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Second, research your marijuana stock options. There are plenty of websites and publications dedicated to the subject. Take advantage of this research and learn what each company is doing to capitalize on the marijuana market. This is one area where investing online is definitely better than going to the local office of a broker.

Third, do your homework. Check into the background of the potential marijuana company. Are they growing their own weed, outsourcing it to a third party, importing it from abroad, manufacturing it in the United States or selling it as an over-the-counter drug? All of these options can have serious consequences for your bottom line. It’s important to know where you’re putting your money, so do your research and be sure to choose a reputable company.

Fourth, know your competitors. How are your prospective competitors marketing their product? Are they spending big money on ads or do they rely solely on word of mouth? The more successful they are at getting consumers to try their products, the more successful your pot of gold will be. Research each marijuana stock and study what their strategy is for getting marijuana to you.

Lastly, remember that nothing succeeds like success. If you can’t talk your way out of a paper bag, don’t worry; there will always be another way. Just make sure that whatever route you take, you choose the path that will give you the greatest chance at success. After all, that’s how you make money off of cannabis.