Recently, the cannabis sector has shown signs of increased volume, volatility, and a reasonably strong potential for a price base. Volume started increasing near mid-September as the price of the ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF (MJ) fell below $15. This support level originated from late December 2020 after a significant rally trend from recent lows near $10 — when the Reddit retail trader event started to unfold.

What I find interesting are two things. First, the recently proposed cannabis reform legislation may prompt a nationwide declassification of marijuana as a class-3 drug. This change could open every state, consumer, industry, and banking/financial institution to kick the doors wide to participate in the cannabis industry.

Secondly, this industry is well past the initial stages of growth and attrition from many years ago. Now, established players and proven markets are competing for market share. This creates a very competitive and dynamic environment in this sector.

What I believe can happen over the next 10+ years is a simple consolidation of the industry around centralized components of the cannabis market. And a renewed focus on federal approval and tracking related to “seed to consumer” regulations.

My opinion is that the industry will see weaker players acquired by stronger players while startups still try to dominate the fringe market. These startups will likely be disruptors in the industry, just like independent brewers are popping up all over the US right now.

Technically, I see a very large 'Pennant/Flag' formation on the cannabis MJ chart. The formation leads me to believe early January could prompt a base or bottom near $13.25. I see the long-term support level, originating from the bottom in March 2020, as a very critical price level.

This support level will likely prompt the current price to try and hold above $12.75~$13.00 as the final waves of the Pennant/Flag trend unfold. If my wave count is correct, the price will attempt to bottom near $12.75~$13.00 soon. After this, the cannabis MJ price may try to rally up to $15.25 to $15.75 before the end of 2021.

A final downward price wave may push the price below the $13.00 level again as volatility becomes more elevated near the apex of the Pennant/Flag formation. The apex takes place near the end of January 2022. Therefore, traders should consider looking for buying opportunities near or below current support (somewhere near or below $12.75 to $13.00).

The cannabis MJ chart shows price is attempting to confirm the lower support channel. If this lower support channel fails, we would wait for a new price trend to establish a new price pattern – hopefully providing better future guidance. Recently, this extended Pennant/Flag price formation appears to have been trending and confirming nicely.

My belief is MJ will start at the apex near the end of January 2022. Meaning we should expect bigger price volatility and the potential for a “blow-off” price rotation sometime after Jan. 15, 2022.

Most apex setups result in a type of wild rotation in price that I call a “blow-off” price rotation. Ideally, traders want to ride out the “blow-off” rotation and try to catch the breakout or break-away trend when it starts.

The daily MJ chart highlights an upward price channel recently set up after price retested the $13.00 lower support level. If you understand the five waves of a Pennant/Flag formation, you’ll quickly understand there are two immediate potential outcomes for the price right now.

First, the price could fail to stay within this channel and break downward — retesting the $13 lower support channel again (or possibly trend a bit lower). Second, the price could have already confirmed the $13 lower support channel and is in the process of moving higher — targeting the $15.25 to $15.75 level.

We are seeing some basing/bottoming in on-balanced volume and a very large increase in the daily trading volume recently. Both of these indicate traders are accumulating shares of MJ in preparation for a price move.

With pending cannabis reform legislation and President Biden likely to support this new economic frontier, any federal decriminalization of cannabis would potentially prompt a wave of buying within this sector. Given the recent Pennant/Flag formation in MJ, traders may be already looking for opportunities in the cannabis sector. MJ could rally back above $20 to $21 fairly quickly.

Be patient, though, as this Pennant/Flag formation won’t be complete until sometime after Jan. 10-14. Plan how you expect the markets to trend throughout the end of this year. Watch how MJ reacts to the final three price waves of the Pennant/Flag formation.

As we approach early 2022, the cannabis sector could become a leading one if the new cannabis reform legislation gets closer to becoming law. We may see another rally, like in early 2021. We may see MJ rally well above $25 if traders start chasing a breakout trend.