Horizons ETFs to Launch World’s First U.S.-Focused Marijuana Index ETF

TORONTO, April 17, 2019 – Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc. (“Horizons ETFs”) is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of the Horizons US Marijuana Index ETF (“HMUS”). Units of the exchange traded fund will begin trading tomorrow morning on the NEO Exchange (“NEO”) under the ticker symbols HMUS (Canadian dollar units) and HMUS.U (U.S. dollar units).

HMUS is the first index ETF to provide direct exposure to the emerging U.S. Cannabis industry and is the third addition to Horizons ETFs’ suite of cannabis-focused ETFs. Horizons ETFs’ other cannabis funds – the Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF (“HMMJ”) and the Horizons Emerging Marijuana Growers Index ETF (“HMJR”) – also use an index (or passive) management structure. Together, they account for close to CAD $1 billion in assets under management.

HMUS seeks to replicate, to the extent possible, the performance of the US Marijuana Companies Index (the “Underlying Index”), net of expenses. The Underlying Index is designed to provide exposure to the performance of a basket of North American publicly-listed life sciences companies having significant business activities in, or significant exposure to, the United States marijuana or hemp industries. Units of the ETF will be available on NEO in both Canadian and U.S dollars.

“Since its launch in April 2017 as the world’s first marijuana ETF, HMMJ has become known as the benchmark for exposure to North America’s Cannabis industry,” said Steve Hawkins, President and CEO of Horizons ETFs. “With the launch of HMUS, we expect that it will become the benchmark for exposure to the burgeoning U.S. Cannabis industry. That market is expected, by many leading analysts, to grow to over USD $80 billion in the coming years.”

While Canadian Cannabis-sector companies have previously enjoyed a significant advantage with our federal recreational legalization on October 17, 2018, the sheer size of the U.S. Cannabis market could potentially position American cannabis companies to be future market leaders.

Several U.S. Cannabis companies have flourished on the Canadian Securities Exchange – achieving diluted market capitalizations of over $1 billion CAD.

“Horizons ETFs is uniquely advantaged to offer exposure to the U.S. Cannabis industry for several reasons,” said Mr. Hawkins. “U.S. federal restrictions are compelling many U.S. cannabis producers and cultivators to seek financing through Canadian exchanges. As a Canadian ETF provider, we are able to provide access to a diversified basket of these companies, denominated in both Canadian and U.S. dollars. Most importantly, as the global market leader in Cannabis funds, we have the experience and expertise to deliver sought-after passive exposure to this early-stage and complex sector.”

The Underlying Index is calculated and published by Solactive AG. The guidelines for the Underlying Index, as well as the full list of constituents, can be found on Solactive AG’s website here:
https://www.solactive.com/indices/?se=1&index=DE000SLA7YN1

For further information about HMUS, please visit: www.HorizonsETFs.com/HMUS

About Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc. (www.HorizonsETFs.com)
Horizons ETFs is an innovative financial services company and offers one of the largest suites of exchange traded funds in Canada. The Horizons ETFs product family includes a broadly diversified range of solutions for investors of all experience levels to meet their investment objectives in a variety of market conditions. Horizons ETFs has more than $10 billion of assets under management and 87 ETFs listed on major Canadian stock exchanges. Horizons ETFs is a member of the Mirae Asset Global Investments Group.

For investor inquiries:
Contact Horizons ETFs at 1-866-641-5739 (toll-free) or (416) 933-5745
[email protected]

For media inquiries:
Contact Jonathan McGuire
External Communications Manager
Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc.
(416) 640-2956
[email protected]

Horizons ETFs is a Member of Mirae Asset Global Investments. Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with an investment in exchange traded products managed by Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc. (the “Horizons Exchange Traded Products”). The Horizons Exchange Traded Products are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. The prospectus contains important detailed information about the Horizons Exchange Traded Products. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing.

There are risks associated with this product. HMUS is expected to invest in the Marijuana industry in certain U.S. states that have legalized marijuana for therapeutic or adult-use, which is currently illegal under U.S. federal law. HMUS will passively invest in companies involved in the marijuana industry in the U.S. where local state law regulates and permits such activities, as well as in companies involved in the Canadian legal Marijuana industry. HMUS will not be directly engaged in the manufacture, importation, possession, use, sale or distribution of marijuana in either Canada or the U.S. Please read the full risk disclosure in the prospectus before investing.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to a future outlook and anticipated distributions, events or results and may include statements regarding future financial performance. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend” or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Horizons ETFs undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

The financial instrument is not sponsored, promoted, sold or supported in any other manner by Solactive AG nor does Solactive AG offer any express or implicit guarantee or assurance either with regard to the results of using the Index and/or Index trade name or the Index Price at any time or in any other respect. The Index is calculated and published by Solactive AG. Solactive AG uses its best efforts to ensure that the Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards the Issuer, Solactive AG has no obligation to point out errors in the Index to third parties including but not limited to investors and/or financial intermediaries of the financial instrument. Neither publication of the Index by Solactive AG nor the licensing of the Index or Index trade name for the purpose of use in connection with the financial instrument constitutes a recommendation by Solactive AG to invest capital in said financial instrument nor does it in any way represent an assurance or opinion of Solactive AG with regard to any investment in this financial instrument.