Anthony Vaz is a well-known name in the American finance and investment industry. He is the founder and lead investor of Eden Capital Investment Group and has an extensive network on Wall Street that has invested in both public and private companies.
Vaz was born in 1973 to Mary Ellen Vaz and Dr. Anthony, who is currently serving as the Mayor of Seaside Heights, New Jersey.
The Grandfather Of The American Cannabis Industry
Vaz’s unique and intimating personality has earned him “the grandfather of the American cannabis industry.” He embraces his uniqueness by saying, “My ability to think outside the box and definitely my size. I am short, bald, (and) have many tattoos. I wear jeans and flip-flops everywhere, including at board meetings. You won’t forget me. I am confident with myself as I am a dealmaker. I speak my mind. I’m not afraid of what people think.”
Vaz has made a reputation for himself in this industry by being short and tattooed, with an unforgettable style that distinguishes him from other Wall Street traders and investment bankers or conventional businessmen alike — he wears jeans everywhere, including board meetings! This talent for innovation, paired with excellent insights, enables him to make deals work on a much larger scale. His out-of-the-box thinking and sharp business acumen have helped him carve out a name for himself in the industry.
The Present and Future of the American Cannabis Industry
Marijuana has been used to treat ailments in various cultures for thousands of years. The Marijuana Tax Act, which outlawed it in the United States, was passed in 1937. In modern-day America, there is a growing acknowledgment of the plant as a valid choice for those suffering from medical issues such as chronic pain or seizures.
This is primarily due to cannabidiol, or CBD, a non-psychoactive natural chemical in cannabis plants, which means it does not get the user high. CBD is on the rise. In 2018, the word “CBD gummies” was the third most searched food-related term on Google in the United States.
CBD is available as an ingredient in oils, oral sprays, lotions, tablets, and sweets such as gummies and lollipops. Purveyors claim CBD can help with pain alleviation, anxiety, and despair. It’s also been linked to assisting cancer patients.
Increasing Popularity
According to research issued by Eaze in 2022, CBD edibles were the top purchase for every generation except Gen Z, who placed vapes first in 2020 and 2021. Flower, interestingly, scored third across all generations in 2021, with Boomers ranking it lower than they did in 2020.
Edibles will likely continue to gain popularity as more younger cannabis customers reach the age of 21 and the market matures, as these two groups prefer to buy edibles more frequently.
Cannabis Market Potential
In 2022, the cannabis sector in the United States is estimated to generate $32 billion in yearly sales. Analysts forecast the value of the cannabis market every year, exceeding expectations each time.
Annual sales of cannabis reached $26.5 billion last year and are expected to reach $32 billion by 2022. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the legal cannabis market was predicted by New Frontier Data to be 11% between 2020 and 2030, placing the industry’s value at more than $57 billion by 2030.
Wall Street believes the industry will be worth much more by 2030, forecasting a value of $100 billion. That is undoubtedly plausible, given rising consumer demand and the emergence of new legal markets every year.
