Investors digested the somewhat unexpected win of two Georgia Senate seats by the Democrats on Wednesday, completing an apparent so-called blue wave that could have major consequences on the stock market.

Democrat Raphael Warnock beat incumbent Republican Kelly Loeffler in one of Georgia's two Senate run-offs, and Democrat Jon Ossoff was leading incumbent David Perdue in the other.

In a year that saw record-breaking volatility, cannabis stocks were standout performers. The rapidly growing marijuana industry is beginning to mature in North America, and investors are finally getting a glimpse of what the green rush is capable of.

As we move into a new year, growth shows little signs of slowing. In 2021, the 10 fastest-growing marijuana stocks are expected to deliver sales growth ranging from 60% on the low end to as much as 176% on the high end. Let's take a brief look at these rapidly growing pot stocks.

Employment in cannabis pre-2020 could be seen as more of a job, whereas now, people see the industry as a true career investment.

This year was a rollercoaster ride for the cannabis industry, which had its fair share of highs and lows. There were legalization breakthroughs, while various cannabis companies enforced massive layoffs.

However, there were also those that did quite a bit of hiring.

The year 2020 was a dud in many, many ways due to the pandemic. However, it was a record year for the emerging cannabis industry.

Cannabis entrepreneurs around the globe sold a record amount of cannabis and cannabis-infused products.

Unfortunately, no countries legalized cannabis for adult use in 2020, but a number of countries either allowed medical cannabis industries to launch or expand.

Many cannabis industry projections from years ago focused on the year 2020 and virtually every one of those projections proved to be too conservative.

The Future Of Marijuana Stocks In 2021

According to cannabis business leaders, the lack of retail cannabis outlets in many Lower Mainland cities, including Pitt Meadows, is allowing the black market to thrive.

Pitt Meadows is among many cities in the Lower Mainland that have yet to allow cannabis to be sold in a retail store. Surrey, Burnaby and Richmond are others which haven’t allowed these stores within their municipalities. Others, including Abbotsford and Langley Township, are just processing business applications from potential vendors.

It’s a problem, says Muse Cannabis CFO Mike McKee, who is in the process of opening a store in Maple Ridge. It’s one of more than 320 now open in B.C.

Ottawa could see a four-fold increase in cannabis retailers in the new year, according to a review of information on the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) website.

There are currently about a dozen retailers that have been "authorized to open," with just under 30 applications in progress with AGCO. The commission said it could not comment on the outcome or timelines of those licence approvals.

Eric Lewinson, the owner of Canna North, is one of the new entrants in Ottawa's pot market. He said focusing on a "no frills" approach in contrast to the slick feel of many current operators will keep him competitive.

A new survey suggests legal cannabis storefronts are making inroads when it comes to Canada’s consumption of the drug.

The Canadian Cannabis Survey, released on Monday, shows that 41 per cent of Canadian cannabis users are typically choosing legal cannabis storefronts to purchase the product, an increase from just 24 per cent in 2019.

Meanwhile, fewer Canadians are choosing dealers and illegal storefronts, according to the results. However, the survey does note that this decrease may have been in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2020 Canadian Cannabis Survey provides a snapshot of Canadians' knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to cannabis

OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 21, 2020 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada has taken a public health approach to cannabis legalization and regulation, which includes collecting data on an ongoing basis to better understand how Canadians view and use cannabis. On October 17, 2018, the Cannabis Act came into force, providing a strict national framework for controlling the production, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis in Canada.