The marijuana industry in Canada is currently evolving at a fast pace. Sales have gone through the roof since recreational use of pot was legalized last year. However, many marijuana companies are choosing to do business south of the border; after all, the U.S. is the largest market in the world. Let’s look at two U.S.-focused pot companies investors should keep an eye on: Curaleaf Holdings(CNSX:CURA) and Charlotte’s Web Holdings (CSNX:CWEB). Which is the better buy?

The case for Curaleaf Holdings

Investors not yet familiar with Curaleaf should catch up; the Vancouver-based firm recently announced the largest U.S.-focused acquisition in the marijuana industry to date.

Traffic stats don’t lie: among investment categories, few have the draw of legal marijuana. And within this broad segment, companies specializing in cannabidiol, or CBD, have generated significant buzz. But what exactly is this three-letter acronym, and how can CBD stocks boost your returns?

Let’s start with basic definitions. Cannabidiol represents one of several cannabinoids, or chemical compounds found in the cannabis sativa plant. But unlike the most famous cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not trigger any psychoactive effect. In other words, users can enjoy this compound’s benefits without getting high.

The marijuana landscape is transforming before our eyes. What had once been an industry that politicians swept under the rug is now considered mainstream throughout most of North America and Europe. Canada became the first industrialized country to legalize recreational weed this past October; Mexico stands ready to give adult-use pot the green light within the next few months; and two-thirds of all U.S. states have OK'd medical marijuana in some capacity, even as the drug remains illicit at the federal level.

The novelty of adding CBD, or cannabidiol, to foods has infiltrated the fast food world with the debut of a Carl’s Jr. burger topped with a CBD-infused sauce on Apr. 20—the international day for weed.

The 4/20 festivities are long over, but the stunt involving the US$4.20 burger—which took place at a single Carl’s Jr. location in Colorado where cannabis, including CBD, has been legal for recreational use since 2014—lives on.

One cannabis stock that may be falling under your radar is Zenabis Global (TSX:ZENA). Zenabis is a Canadian licensed producer of medical and recreational cannabis and is also involved with the production of floral and vegetable products.

Zenabis currently operates three facilities strategically located on the East and West Coast of Canada, with a fourth facility expected to receive its production licence by Q2 2019. At full capacity, Zenabis could become one of the largest producers of cannabis in the world with 131,283 kg of capacity expected by early Q3 2019.

Organigram Holdings Inc. (TSX VENTURE: OGI) (OGI.V), the parent company of Organigram Inc. (the “Company” or “Organigram”), a leading licensed producer of cannabis, is pleased to announce it has recently shipped more than one hundred and thirty thousand units of pure cannabidiol (CBD) oil destined for markets across Canada .

The recent legalization of adult-use, recreational cannabis in Canada has resulted in an increased demand for CBD, a naturally occurring compound in cannabis which has no psychoactive effect.

After receiving the greenlight from Health Canada, preparations are underway in southern Ontario for what will soon be Canada’s largest legal outdoor cannabis farm.

Located on 100 acres of land in Brant County, just west of Hamilton, Ont., 48North’s farm is about to be home to 250,000 marijuana plants.

The company already operates two indoor cannabis facilities in Ontario, in Kirkland Lake and Brantford, but the owners call this particular undertaking “unprecedented” in the country.

“It’ll be Canada’s largest and likely the world’s largest legal cannabis farm,” Jeannette Vandermarel, a co-CEO and director of 48North, told CTV News Kitchener on Tuesday.

An Ontario-based beverage company looking to create intoxicating alternatives to alcohol will get its key ingredient at the edge of Regina.

“There’s a great saying: Five guys get drunk and they start a fight. Five guys get stoned and they start a band,” said Hill Street Beverage Company chairman and CEO Terry Donnelly.

Hill Street announced Tuesday it will acquire OneLeaf Cannabis for a total purchase price of $16 million. The move is part of Hill Street’s vision to become a leader in the infused beverage market when the sale of cannabis edibles becomes legal in Canada, expected by Oct. 17.

A former trustee who used prescription medications, including cannabis, during school board meetings has made a complaint about the division asking for his personal health information after his disclosure.

In a report issued this month, the Sask. Information and Privacy Commissioner said he didn't find there was a breach of privacy, but recommended Prairie Spirit School Division clarify its policies around issues like medical cannabis use.

The division, which has its main office based in Warman, Sask., put a medical marijuana policy into effect last November for its employees.

Aurora Cannabis (NYSE:ACB) is arguably the most popular pot stock on the market right now. Multiple analysts like it, and Aurora is attracting the attention of lots of millennial investors. And at least a couple of billionaires have jumped aboard the Aurora train.