There are normally several different "plots" in play with a stock like this one at this point of it's evolution. One plot that was already established was by a business rival looking to do harm to the company, and charges have been filed against the alleged perpetrators. Another "plot" is a very common one used on a stock like this one. Once certain investors become convinced that the company is going to see explosive growth, they take advantage of this point where some very game changing milestones are looming but are just far enough away to afford them the time they need to hold the price down and accumulate millions of shares slowly at a bargain. They can't chase the ask prices or they'll drive the pps up which they don't want to happen until flood gates are opened and the investment capital really starts to flow. How can they do this? It's almost too easy. I discussed the strategy in a previous post. It's fairly simple to orchestrate with a start up like this one during the "calm before the storm" phase we're in now. It's not hard at all, and they'll shake a lot of shares out of, you said it yourself, fed up traders looking for better hunting grounds. Only the die hard longs that truly believe in the massive growth potential of Totally Hemp Crazy will not give up shares to frustration or fear. The only other "plots" are by the more aggressive traders trying to create or prolong that volatility you referred to by steady bashing between press releases. Once momentum slows, they dump what they have left and start their bad mouthing campaign in an effort to repeat the process as many times as possible. Very soon they'll have a hard time selling any chicken little stories they dream up because the doubters will be too few.