Author: CannabisNewsWire (CNW)

About CannabisNewsWire CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge. To receive SMS text alerts from CannabisNewsWire, text “CANNABIS” to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only) For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

CannabisNewsBreaks – Prime Harvest Inc. Eyes Continued Growth and Expansion with Recently Launched Reg A+ Offering

Prime Harvest, a tech-focused legal cannabis enterprise and parent company to SoCal’s premier dispensary JAXX Cannabis, recently launched Weed 4 The People – the company’s Reg A+ offering that allows the public to own a piece of the company for as little as $4.20 per share at a minimum of 100 shares. “Prime Harvest aims to raise upwards of $42M to fund the expansion of JAXX Cannabis, the company’s flagship store, and delivery platform. Options for potential investors range from $420 to $50,000+, with rewards that include equity stake in the company, and in-store benefits including instant rebates, cashback incentives, JAXX tasting room access, bonus shares, and more,” a recent article reads. “The company’s objective is to continue the development of its upcoming first-in-class delivery service mobile app, which promises to strengthen the commercial cannabis pipeline while offering consumers a personalized, data-driven experience. According to the Reg A+ offering website, company revenue grew by 976% from 2019-2022, while annual customer value increased by $696 and unique customer growth expanded by 395%. Prime Harvest aims to open 20+ locations across California within the next five years.”

To view the full article, visit https://cnw.fm/81qAv

About Prime Harvest Inc.

Prime Harvest is a technology-focused full-service cannabis corporation. The company is horizontally diversified across various segments of the cannabis value chain, including licensing acquisition and compliance management, and state-wide direct-to-consumer operations. Based in the innovation hotspot of San Diego, California, Prime Harvest is expanding its footprint throughout the Golden State by executing a long-term strategy of investing in the growth and scale of licensed assets anchored by the power of data-driven technology. Prime Harvest’s flagship retail brand, Jaxx Cannabis, upholds exceptional standards of quality and services and provides a rewarding experience for customers in San Diego and the surrounding Southern California communities. Trust and credibility are at the heart of everything that the team at Prime Harvest stands for. The Prime Harvest team is composed of true experts in their respective fields, carefully assembled with the aim of building a world-class organization that can drive the cannabis industry and movement forward. For more information about the company, visit www.PrimeHarvestInc.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Prime Harvest are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/PRIME

About CannabisNewsWire

CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where news, content and information converge.

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Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (NASDAQ: LEXX) Eyes the Licensed Use of its DehydraTECH(TM) Technology to Complement its Royalty Earnings and Realize Revenue in Advance of Royalties

Chris Bunka, Lexaria’s CEO, has reiterated the company’s commitment to creating value for its shareholders with the licensed use of its patented DehydraTECH(TM) technology
Mr. Bunka has noted that Lexaria is already in discussions with interested parties in Europe and North America, a move that presents a critical fiscal opportunity for the company
He has emphasized how profitable new licensing agreements could be for the company, presenting additional avenues for Lexaria to generate revenue and create value for its shareholders
As the company continues to make a transition toward a more commercial focus in 2023, Bunka notes that licensing will play an integral part

Lexaria Bioscience (NASDAQ: LEXX), a global innovator in drug delivery platforms, has, since its inception, stayed committed to creating shareholder value and exploring different avenues for growth. This outlook has informed the company’s ambitious clinical studies, starting with the HYPER-H21-4 clinical study demonstrating a novel mechanism of action of its patented DehydraTECH(TM)-processed cannabidiol (“CBD”) capsule formulation for the reduction of blood pressure. It has also shaped other studies, including, but not limited to, diabetes, nicotine replacement, antivirals, and human epilepsy.

In the most recent annual letter to all stakeholders, dated January 2023, Chris Bunka, Lexaria’s CEO, reiterated the company’s commitment to creating value for its shareholders. Of note was his mention of the licensed use of its DehydraTECH technology, both for consumer sectors and the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, Bunka noted that the company was already in discussions with interested parties in Europe and North America, which presents a key fiscal opportunity for the company as time progresses (https://cnw.fm/eIiuX).

In the letter, Mr. Bunka broke down the financial upside to this move by Lexaria, citing how profitable it could be for the company in the immediate and distant future.

“For companies with sales of $10 billion or $30 billion per year, this makes sense. And given that Lexaria’s business model is to out-license our technology in exchange for royalties, you can see very quickly how every single percentage point of royalty on each $1 billion in revenue, amounts to $10,000,000 per year in highly profitable revenue to Lexaria,” Bunka noted.

“A 3% royalty rate on $4 billion would be $120,000,000 in revenue; or an 8% royalty on $2 billion would be $160,000,000 in revenue,” he added.

Lexaria’s licensing opportunities are constantly evolving. So far, the company’s DehydraTECH technology can be used to improve existing products or even create new products. In addition, the technology has proven suitable for a broad range of consumer products such as oral suspensions, topicals, nutraceuticals, registered drugs, capsules, pills, and tablets, among others.

As a technology designed to be effective in delivering fat-soluble molecules through the human gastrointestinal system, DehydraTECH has demonstrated an affinity for transdermal applications, which have shown effectiveness in crossing the blood-brain barrier once within blood plasma. This, in addition to other benefits such as doing away with the need for sugar-filled edibles, more efficiency, and the overall lowering of drug costs, has drawn the attention of parties interested in this technology, ultimately opening up Lexaria’s licensing opportunities.

As an avenue for generating revenue for the company, Bunka is optimistic that the licensing fees will significantly complement its royalty revenue generation while providing it with the much-needed capital to keep advancing its clinical studies and improving its technology.

“Lexaria expects licensing fees to significantly complement its royalty revenue generation and also allow it to realize commercial revenue generation well in advance of when revenues start to flow from royalties upon actual product sales under these licensing transactions,” he noted.

As Lexaria continues to transition towards a more commercial focus, licensing will play an integral part. It will be a fundamental aspect of building a successful and profitable future for the company while also forming a solid foundation for more ambitious future clinical studies.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.LexariaBioscience.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to LEXX are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/LEXX

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420 with CNW — New Certification Will Help Standardize Marijuana Product Testing by Labs

States that have legalized the commercial production and sale of marijuana are required to have their products tested for THC levels and contaminants. THC is one of the main psychoactive compounds in marijuana, with the other being cannabidiol (CBD). Unlike CBD, however, THC induces a high when ingested.

Industry standards for such tests aren’t well-established, a situation that allows some laboratories to inflate levels of THC in an effort to meet client needs. Last week, two marijuana testing labs launched a new program to standardize procedures for testing the potency and purity of cannabis products.

For some time now, SC Labs and ACT Laboratories have assessed lab regulatory standards across states that have legalized marijuana to develop stringent and sensible quality standards. The new program, Trust in Testing, is a collaborative and transparent project by the two companies that will give consumers confidence that they are buying high-quality products.

A 2019 survey observed inconsistencies in reports from different laboratories, with the marijuana industry also seeing scandals such as cannabis products being cleared for sale by laboratories, despite the presence of contaminants such as mold.

In a statement, SC Labs CEO Jeff Journey stated that the identification of high-quality compliant laboratories would help decentralize decision-making. The company has licensed operations in Michigan, California, Colorado and Oregon. Journey believes that the new program will afford brands a way to identify laboratories that meet the set standards across different states.

ACT Laboratories CEO Michael Drozd then explained that, with testing fraud allegations increasing in the country, it was even more important for marijuana brands to test their products in order to ensure they were all safe and reliable. He added that poor quality testing data could affect brand reputation, resulting in fines, loss of business and legal action.

The Trust in Testing certification will also enable brands to establish their own standards when it comes to choosing a testing facility. The standards introduced include regular and more proficiency testing, internal employee ethics and training programs, and the use of advanced quality management systems, among other requirements. The certification has been designed to ensure that laboratories comply with state regulations while also affording their clients and consumers reliable and accurate results.

In addition, brands that use a lab certified by Trust in Testing for their products will be allowed to use the program’s seal on their packages. This will show consumers their commitment to quality.

ACT Laboratories and SC Labs are proud to be working together to create safer marijuana through a more reliable testing landscape in the country.

For companies such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC), which want their formulations to be approved by the FDA, no concerns about testing controversies exist because the FDA process is clear and companies must take their products through the stringent clinical development process.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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420 with CNW — Maryland Legislators Finalize Details of Recreational Marijuana Sales Launch

The 2023 Maryland General Assembly recently reached the policy goal the state has been edging toward for years, approving regulations for recreational marijuana sales. Maryland residents aged 21 years and older will be able to purchase recreational marijuana starting on July 1, 2023, if Governor Wes Moore signs the legislation into law, which he is certain to do.

Cannabis was made legal in the state constitution by a ballot referendum that was approved by voters in November. Legislators promptly carried out their directives, prioritizing the historic reforms at the top of their to-do list even before the first session.

The comprehensive legislation established a framework for governmental monitoring and resolved a number of business-related issues, such as the types and number of marijuana licenses that can be issued as well as the amount of sales tax that must be charged by businesses. Overall, politicians from both chambers worked together to achieve two key objectives: stop unlawful sales before the deadline of July 1, 2023, and restore tax income and economic opportunity to areas that have been disproportionately disadvantaged by marijuana prohibition and punishment. Each purpose is interwoven throughout the entire 100-page document.

Senator Brian Feldman, a cosponsor of the legislation in the Senate, claimed that in the run-up to implementation, many of the broad objectives had been met. But he anticipates changes in subsequent sessions as legislators examine its structure.

The existing medical marijuana market will support the new market for the first six months. Additionally, the Maryland Marijuana Administration, a state body established under the bill, will be in charge of regulating both recreational and medical cannabis products. The former oversight authority will merge with the new one.

There are an estimated 100 medicinal cannabis dispensaries in Maryland that will be required to switch their licenses to be allowed to sell recreational marijuana. However, according to the law, dispensaries must keep enough product on hand for medical customers and provide express lanes or dedicated hours to make the shopping experience easier.

Medical dispensaries must pay the state 8% of their 2022 gross revenues as well as a minimum of $100,000 and a maximum of $2,000,000 to change their licenses. The conversion fee for medical processors and cultivators will be equal to 10% of their 2022 gross revenues, with the same maximum and minimum limits. The bill gives businesses a conversion period of 18 months, during which they must have finished paying the fee.

New dispensaries must be located at least 500 feet away from a learning institution, library, playground or public park. Dispensaries themselves must also be at least 1,000 feet apart.

As cannabis production ramps up to meet the growing demand for recreational marijuana in the state, plenty of opportunities will be created for numerous ancillary companies that follow in the footsteps of entities such as Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX), which specialize in availing what cannabis industry players need to serve their clients.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/ACTX

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420 with CNW — German Cannabis Imports Grow to Record Levels

Germany shipped an unprecedented 25,000 kilos (27.6 tons) of medicinal and experimental cannabis last year, up 19% from 2021, per the Federal Drug Institute and Medicinal Devices (BfArM). But it also represents the smallest increase since BfArM started disclosing information on cannabis imports in 2018.

Due to the potential for inferior products or re-exportation to various nations, a sizable fraction of the shipments may have failed to reach patients. The German National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds claims that the increase in imports is also at odds with the constant state subsidies for medical marijuana products, which have been steady since 2020.

Industry sources also assert that the quantity of cannabis sent to pharmacies is far less than that which is shipped into Germany. Only eight tons of medicinal cannabis had been shipped to pharmacies in Germany as of September 2022, a significant decrease from the 19 tons shipped during the comparable period the year prior.

Demecan’s boss, Constantin von der Groeben, thinks that the import statistics accurately depict the increasing development trend of the entire German medicinal cannabis market. Finn Hänsel, creator and executive director of Sanity Group, believes there is a compelling reason for continuing to import marijuana because cannabis grown outside of Germany is of a similar grade and is more affordable.

However, due to probable market uncertainty, projecting beyond a year can be difficult. Given that a sizeable portion of imports might end up being re-exported to various European markets, the import figures might not provide an accurate depiction of the marijuana industry in Europe’s biggest economy.

Additionally, the volume of cannabis shipped to dispensaries is far less than what is imported, and state reimbursements for medicinal cannabis goods have not increased at the same rate as imports. The German trade’s fastest-growing segment was cannabis extracts, which had a 26% trade share in October 2022 (up from 21% the year before).

The modest increase in growth in 2022 and the difference between the quantity imported and the proportion delivered to drugstores, while Germany’s marijuana import industry looks to be expanding, point to future market concerns. Concerns also exist regarding the imports’ eventual resting place and product quality. However, there is a compelling argument for continuing imports given the reduced cost base of foreign marijuana and its similar quality to locally produced cannabis.

It is notable that Germany currently allows the use of cannabis for medical purposes. This recognition of the therapeutic value of marijuana has given rise to several for-profit entities such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) that are going a step further to develop pharmaceutical-grade formulations from this plant.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

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420 with CNW — Cannabis Prices Slump in Massachusetts Amid Supply Glut

A chronic oversupply problem has caused cannabis prices in Massachusetts to slump for several months. In October 2022, recreational cannabis in Massachusetts averaged $7.76 per gram of cannabis, the lowest cannabis prices had been since the launch of the adult-use market.

Prices had decreased steadily since June 2021, with the most significant falls in cannabis prices occurring in September and October 2022.

Interestingly, sales revenue from recreational cannabis went down as well, with adult-use cannabis retailers bringing in $112.2 million in November 2022, the lowest retail sales revenue since the start of the year. Joseph Lekach, CEO of cannabis company Apothca, said at the time that there was an “extreme oversupply” of edibles, flower, concentrates, vapes and other cannabis products.

State data now shows that prices for legal cannabis in Massachusetts have hit a five-year low, allowing users to purchase more cannabis without digging deeper into their pockets. However, while the low prices may be a boon for customers in the short-term, cannabis businesses will likely pay a price in the long-term. Recreational cannabis retailers in Massachusetts now have to sell twice as much product to bring in the same amount of revenue they were making just a few months ago.

The wholesale value of cannabis has also dropped significantly. This may impact producers who invested in large cultivation operations to cash in on the nascent but lucrative cannabis market. This will likely result in some “natural attrition” occurring in the cannabis market, said Jushi chief strategy director Trent Woloveck. Jushi is the parent company of a Massachusetts-based, vertically integrated medical and recreational company called Nature’s Remedy.

The consensus among many executives in the state’s cannabis market is that oversupply is the main reason for slumping cannabis prices. With plenty of sellers attracted by the seemingly endless profits in the cannabis industry, the Massachusetts market has seen a multitude of new operations open their doors in a relatively short time. This surge in supply was more than the market demand for cannabis, however, resulting in a supply surplus that has significantly dampened profitability.

Ethos vice president of Marketing Blandine Jean-Paul says that one of the largest hurdles cannabis businesses face is becoming cash positive because it is becoming increasingly harder to make decent profits. Additionally, the fact that cannabis businesses in every state cannot deduct their expenses increases their tax bill and burdens their cash flow even more.

Some businesses will likely bow out of the industry due to cash-flow constraints. Once states such as Massachusetts thin out the number of players in their cannabis markets, oversupply issues will reduce, and prices will likely increase again.

This oversupply won’t just impact companies that directly deal in marijuana or its products. Ancillary businesses such Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX) could also see an effect on their bottom lines if the companies they serve reduce their production capacity.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/ACTX

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CannabisNewsBreaks — AROYA Releases OpenSprinkler Integration, Empowers Cannabis Growers to ‘Not Only Survive, But Also Thrive’

AROYA, a division of ADDIUM Inc., announced a wide release of its integration with the controller OpenSprinkler; the integration empowers growers by providing data to guide their crop-steering decisions while also simplifying an additional aspect of cannabis cultivation. According to the announcement, the release brings added visibility and data-driven control to commercial cultivation and cultivators’ irrigation strategies; the announcement also noted that an estimated 30-40% of cultivators currently use OpenSprinkler for drip irrigation. The new integration eliminates the need to access other programs separate spreadsheets, reducing complexity while bringing more visibility to commercial cultivation. “Enabling integrations with third-party systems solidifies AROYA’s unrivaled position as the cannabis industry’s most intuitive platform, providing growers with the control, flexibility, visibility, and data-driven insights to manage every stage of cultivation,” said AROYA president Scott Campbell in the press release. “It made sense for us to take just one more small step, not to become a controls company but to offer an integration with a controlled system that people commonly use in the cannabis industry. Now cultivators can have much better control and take those insights that they get from looking at their data and put it right to what changes they’re going to make, which is their irrigation strategy, without having to leave the platform. . . . Simply put, we empower growers of all sizes with intelligent automation to not only survive, but also thrive in increasingly competitive markets.”

To view the full press release, visit https://cnw.fm/dxjrb

About AROYA

AROYA is the leading cannabis production platform, combining forward-thinking science, sensors and software to empower cultivators with data-driven insights that help them increase yield, scale operations and achieve consistent quality. Based in Washington, AROYA brings 30 years of experience in sensor development to the ag tech industry, enabling cultivators to do more with less while making more purpose-driven decisions for their businesses. For more information about the company, visit www.AROYA.io.

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420 with CNW — Missouri Sees Uptick in Marijuana Jobs Shortly After Legalization Ballot

Despite its relative youth, America’s nascent cannabis industry has been one of the most prolific job creators in the country. As of January 2022, more than 420,000 people nationwide had full-time jobs in the state-legal cannabis industry. The industry has been among the fastest-growing sectors in the country in recent years, and it is predicted to be worth $47.5 billion by 2030 as more states launch their own markets and sales pick up.

Missouri, a traditionally conservative state, is enjoying some of the labor benefits of cannabis reform after it recently approved recreational cannabis sales. Only a few months after Missouri voters approved an adult-use cannabis measure at the November ballot, thousands of residents are already earning a living from the marijuana industry.

State officials began approving retail cannabis licenses for dispensaries in early January, and the first businesses met significant product demand from customers. Less than a month after the first licenses were approved, close to 200 dispensaries had sold around $103 million worth of cannabis products, with the majority (about $72 million) coming from recreational cannabis.

Individuals who want to work in Missouri’s cannabis industry have to secure agent ID badges from the state. The state Department of Health and Human Sciences says it approved 12,970 agent ID badges by the end of February. With the market in its infancy, experts predict that the job growth within Missouri’s cannabis industry will only go up.

Se7en Staffing & Employment Solutions CEO Christy Essex says that her company has noted an increase in labor needs across the industry that still hasn’t been met. Dispensaries are having trouble keeping their shelves filled, she said, and some companies are hiring temporary employees to cover short-term labor shortfalls.

Sloane Barbour, the CEO of cannabis technology company engin, says that Missouri’s impressive performance in its first month has made it a standout in America’s state-legal cannabis space. Cannabis is posed to become a multibillion dollar industry, and she believes Missouri has the potential to compete with juggernauts such as Massachusetts and Illinois. She noted that states with billion-dollar markets, including Illinois, Massachusetts and Michigan, often employ around 30,000 to 50,000 employees in the marijuana industries.

As such, Barbour said, Missouri’s cannabis market still has plenty of potential for job growth, especially in the short-term as businesses begin hiring aggressively. This hiring spree may be slowed down if lawmakers advance a bill that would include fingerprinting as part of the background checks required before receiving an agent ID badge.

No such extensive procedures may be required if marijuana products intended for medical use were approved by the FDA in the way that companies such as IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) hope for. These companies are working to see chronic pain formulations from cannabis be approved as mainstream medicines.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

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420 with CNW — Colombian Authorities Seize More Than 8,000 Pounds of Marijuana in Maritime Operations

More than 8,000 pounds of cannabis were confiscated last week in several maritime operations that resulted in two ships sinking. Three ships in total were intercepted, while one sunk while attempting to evade Navy ships, according to a statement released by the Columbian Navy on Saturday. The Navy released a video on Twitter showing officers unloading marijuana packages, which were estimated to be worth $29 million.

The first incident took place when a Navy aircraft discovered a ship that was traveling in the northern Pacific region at a “high velocity.” The vessel eventually sank as a result of the water absorption brought on by the bad weather. Two people on board were rescued by authorities, who also seized cannabis packages totaling almost 5,000 pounds.

In another raid, authorities claimed that a fast ship had been spotted in the middle of the Pacific. Officials who intercepted the boat reported that more than 1,000 cannabis packages totaling 2,000 pounds were seized, and two people on it were arrested.

In the third incident, units from the Pacific Maritime Naval Force discovered a vessel with three people on board about 50 miles from the Baha Solano Coastline. Officials said the boat attempted to escape using evasive maneuvers but was unsuccessful and eventually sank. Those on board were rescued from drowning by the officers. Later, the Navy reported that 46 packages that had drifted to sea and contained around 2,000 pounds of cannabis were recovered.

Officials reported that a total of seven people were arrested and that more than 700,000 doses of cannabis were seized from the three incidents. The suspects will be charged with a number of felonies, including producing, trafficking, and carrying illegal drugs.

The Navy of Colombia has been active in capturing drug-laden ships off the country’s coast. A semi-submarine ship carrying almost 1,000 cocaine packages was stopped last month. Three men who were on board were arrested during the seizure. About a week prior, authorities in the same area busted another submarine carrying an enormous amount of drugs, two dead bodies, and two survivors. The 50-foot sub was carrying nearly 5,800 pounds of cocaine, which is worth more than $87 million. According to the Navy, the ship was headed for Central American nations, and the seizure prevented the sale of more than 6 million cocaine doses on the black market.

If marijuana were legal in Columbia, there would probably be fewer cannabis seizures since citizens would have access to a legal supply of the substance, and there would be additional benefits arising from the mushrooming of ancillary companies such as Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX) serving players in the U.S. marijuana space.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/ACTX

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Lift Toronto 2023 Cannabis Conference and Expo Announces Speakers and Sessions; Registration Now Open

Thousands of cannabis industry and community members will gather at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, June 1-3, for three high-energy days of discovery, education, entertainment and more.

The highly anticipated Lift Toronto 2023 Cannabis Conference and Expo, which will bring together thousands of cannabis industry professionals and consumers from all parts of the cannabis ecosystem, returns to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from June 1-3, 2023. Hundreds of exhibiting companies will showcase the latest in cannabis products, services and innovations; industry leaders and fresh voices will take the stage; and new experiences and activations will lead to Lift’s signature a-ha moments. Registration is now open, with special “early bird” pricing available for a limited time.

The three-day event kicks off on Thursday June 1 with the Lift Cannabis Business Conference (“LCBC”), an all- business strategy forum focusing on the drivers of forward momentum, overcoming systemic challenges, and advancing innovative business and regulatory solutions that will generate meaningful change and sustainable growth in Canada’s cannabis industry.

Session highlights from LCBC include:

Keynotes & Spotlight Presenters: Priorities & Progress of Canada’s Cannabis Industry, Fairness in Banking, and What the CannTrust Case Taught Us
Canada’s Brands & World View Leadership Panels: Bullish and Bearish, New and Established, International Markets and How to Remain Competitive and Grow
Legacy Consumers to Legal: What the Illicit Market Can Teach the Legal Market
Plus: Winning Confidence of Lenders & Investors; The Growth of Extracts, Concentrates & Processing; and (Caged) Guerrilla Cannabis Marketing.

With An Outstanding Roster of Speakers: Anna-Sophia Kouparanis, Co-Founder, Bloomwell Group (Germany) | Guillermo Delmonte, Founder, NDLATAN (Uruguay) | Niel Marotta, CEO & Founder, INDIVA | Brishna Kamal, President, Whistler Therapeutics | John Fowler, CEO, Muskoka Grown | David Goldstein, CEO, Stoke Inventory Partners | Mike Schilling, CEO, Community Savings Credit Union | Katy Perry, CEO, TOKE Cannabis | Adam Temple, CEO, Evolved Extraction Solutions | Andrew Fischer, CEO, Protonify | Dave Marino, President, Spirit Leaf Ontario & Superette Ontario

“We are really pushing the envelope for our next trip to Toronto with top-tier presenters on red hot topics,” says Barry Smith, Canadian Content Director, Lift Events & Experiences. “Each session has been carefully curated to energize, inspire, educate and motivate all of our audiences from across the entire cannabis community.”

On Friday, June 2, Industry & Budtender Day will feature multiple stages with individually-crafted content to inform and spark conversations that will drive the industry forward in the coming year. Saturday, June 3, is Consumer Day, open again to industry members and budtenders, as well as everyone from the canna-curious to the canna-connoisseur.

Session highlights from the Expo floor include:

Budtender Masterclass: Product knowledge, retail operations and new harm reduction toolkit.
Maestros of Marketing: Power panel featuring key brand and retail players.
Unforgettable Edibles & Beverages: New tastes for fun and relaxation.
Diversity Dividend: The bottom-line benefits and just good policy.
Cannabis Tourism Spotlight: Everything about leisure, lounges and adventures.
Craft Cannabis: Hitting new highs, one small batch at a time.
& so much more!

In addition, on both Friday and Saturday, the Lift expo floor will showcase a wide array of leading and emerging exhibitors while debuting fresh experiences, education and activations including:

The Diner’s Club: Don’t miss the hottest culinary cannabis trends and insights.
Morning Mic-Drop: A laugh out loud comedy performance from The Noobie and The Doobie, Timmy Boyle & Marijane Baker.
PLAY@Lift: Enjoy games, photo opps, sweets and more.
Outdoor Networking Lounge: The place to be for a catch-up sesh.
Brand Discovery Zone: See what’s new with your favorite and emerging brands.
Budtender Lounge: A dedicated area to mix and mingle with your colleagues.
Lift After Party: Enjoy live music, drinks, bites and networking to end the show on a high note.

Event Schedule

Lift Cannabis Business Conference | Thursday, June 1, 2023 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Lift Expo Industry Days | Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3, 2023 | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Lift Expo Consumer Day | Saturday, June 3, 2023 | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Click to view ticket types and pricing

Up Next:
Lift San Francisco: August 2-4, 2023 | Moscone Convention Center
San Francisco speaker applications are open, and exhibits and partnerships are now available. Registration for Lift San Francisco will open later this spring.

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Sacha Cohen at 202-251-9417 or sacha@themaverickpr.com

About Lift

Lift Events & Experiences serve the cannabis community as both a meeting place and a destination for discovery. With dates across North America, each Lift event showcases leading-edge content and premiere exhibitors in a high-energy setting for thousands of cannabis growers, processors, manufacturers, brands, budtenders, retailers, educators, advocates, regulators, consumers, investors and more – while paying tribute to the roots of this rapidly-evolving industry. Lift is proudly produced by MCI. For more information, visit LiftEvents.com.

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