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Toronto-based Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc. is preparing to launch its second marijuana-sector exchange-traded fund (ETF), which will provide investors with exposure to small-cap companies in the cannabis space.

Horizons filed a preliminary prospectus this week for Horizons Junior Marijuana Growers Index ETF (HMJR).

The ETF seeks to replicate the performance of the Solactive Junior Marijuana Growers Index, which provides exposure to primarily North American publicly listed small-cap companies primarily involved in the cultivation, production, and/or distribution of marijuana.

Horizons launched its first marijuana ETF, Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF (HMMJ), in April 2017. That ETF provides exposure to North American publicly listed life sciences companies with significant business activities in the marijuana industry.

The new ETFs come as the Canadian federal government is aiming to have legislation in place legalizing recreational use of cannabis by July of this year, and as a growing number of states south of the border are also moving to legalize pot. Those changes have contributed to a surge in stocks of many companies that are active in the marijuana industry.

Horizons has applied to list units of HMJR on the Aequitas NEO Exchange Inc. The ETF has a management fee of 0.85%.

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