Several marijuana companies are kicking off 2018 strong in the public market. Green Market Report's CEO and Editor-in-Chief Debra Borchardt explains the companies she see's capitalizing on the growing cannabis market.

Toronto-based Med Releaf is up nearly 20 percent in 2018. Borchardt says this company stands apart by being one of the lowest cost cannabis producers. "This is where we are seeing the real race in the marijuana community," says Borchardt. Two other companies on Borchardt's watch list are Kush Bottles, and Aurora Cannabis.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on Tuesday signed an executive order expanding access to medicinal marijuana. "They are expecting that it could generate 300 to 500 million in tax revenue," said Borchardt.