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

420 with CNW – Research Finds That Cannabis Helps Crohn’s Disease Sufferers

A team of Israeli researchers has confirmed that cannabis oil can improve the symptoms caused by Crohn’s disease. The researchers made their findings public at the 2018 UEG Week (United European Gastroenterology) that has just ended in Vienna. The event was held from October 20-24.

The lead researcher of the randomized, placebo-controlled study was Dr. Timna Naftali. He revealed at the UEG Week that their study was the very first to investigate the impact of cannabis on Crohn’s disease.

The researchers studied 46 individuals who were divided into two groups during the study. One group was given cannabis oil while the second group was given a placebo. After 8 weeks, the researchers found that 65 percent of the patients who received the cannabis oil had clinical remission of their symptoms while only 35 percent of those who got the placebo had a remission.

The scientists used tools that were standard practice for monitoring and recording how the clinical symptoms were responding during the trial period. Gut inflammation was monitored using endoscopy. Stool and blood samples were also tested for inflammatory markers during the study.

The researchers were surprised to discover that inflammation in the gut of the study participants didn’t change despite an improvement in the symptoms suffered by the individuals.

This finding disproved the long-held belief that patients improved because cannabis combated the inflammation in their gastrointestinal tract. The cannabis oil used in the study contained 15 percent CBD and 4 percent THC.

The researchers concluded that cannabis oil can now start being used as a therapy to temporarily provide relief from Crohn’s disease symptoms since it doesn’t cure the condition. Cannabis oil may be used alongside or as an alternative to the current Crohn’s disease management therapies.

The Israeli researchers plan to conduct other studies on how cannabis can be used to treat bowel inflammatory disease and other GIT diseases.

It should be remembered that the World Health Organization (WHO) is going to hold an expert meeting in November to review the classification of marijuana. The U.S. FDA also called for public comments about cannabis (its medicinal value, addiction and harm potential etc.). The findings coming in from Israel can help boost the body of evidence presented to make the case for de-scheduling marijuana as a substance which doesn’t have any therapeutic use. Several countries around the world, including Canada, Lithuania, the UK, Australia, Germany, Denmark and dozens more have legalized medical cannabis.

That list of countries should provide ample proof that cannabis has medicinal effects for a variety of conditions since each country which legalizes cannabis for medical purposes creates a list of qualifying health conditions for which patients can get a prescription or card allowing them to obtain cannabis or its products.

Cannabis industry players like ChineseInvestors.com (OTCQB: CIIX) and Choom Holdings Inc. (CSE: CHOO) (OTCQB: CHOOF) must be wondering why it has taken so long for all countries to recognize the nearly endless benefits of cannabis.

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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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420 with CNW – California Proposes Tough Changes to Marijuana Regulations

The Bureau of Cannabis Control, together with the Department of Public Health and the Department of Food and Agriculture in California have released an updated draft set of rules that will form the permanent regulations which will govern the cannabis industry in the state.

The public has been invited to provide its input to that draft so that the regulators can finalize the document in early December. Public comments will be received until November 5.

Experts say the draft contains a number of “bombs” that will have a major impact on the way the industry operates.

For example, the draft set of permanent rules seeks to prevent third party entities from participating in the delivery of cannabis to consumers or retailers/distributors. Only third parties that have a cannabis license may get involved in the distribution of marijuana.

That measure would affect technological platforms which had come up to generate revenues from cannabis distribution. The draft regulations allow tech platform to facilitate the distribution as long as those platforms don’t earn from such an undertaking. This seems logical, since those tech platforms don’t have a marijuana license issued by the State of California.

Secondly, the draft rules seek to lower the quantity of cannabis that a delivery vehicle may transport during a single trip. Previously, delivery vehicles were allowed to carry cannabis or cannabis products worth a maximum of $10,000. That limit may now drop to $5,000 if that provision stays as it is in the draft rules.

Furthermore, at least $2,000-worth of cannabis from the $5,000 value loaded onto a delivery vehicle has to be for orders that have already been made. This provision may be intended to curb the practice of delivery vans moving with excess products in the hope that additional buyers will show up where the vehicle has gone to take products.

The third major change being introduced in the draft of permanent rules is the requirement for cannabis businesses to disclose everyone who has a stake in those businesses. The regulators want to know everyone who stands to benefit from the industry, so silent partners will become a thing of the past in the marijuana industry.

On a brighter note, the updated draft intends to reduce the stringent test requirements that previously resulted in many products failing those tests and being recalled from the market. This provision seems to be in response to a cry from the industry regarding the current testing protocols.

Additionally, licensed marijuana events will also no longer be restricted to county fairgrounds. This paves the way for a variety of cannabis events to crop up within the state as the years go by.

The updated draft rules seem to have been informed by the different situations on the ground as the industry evolves. Some areas have been tightened while other regulatory areas have seen restrictions eased somewhat. It remains to be seen what marijuana companies like Cannabis Strategic Ventures, Inc. (OTC: NUGS) and Canopy Rivers Inc. (TSX.V: RIV) make of those draft permanent regulations.

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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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420 with CNW – Canada Hit by Shortages after Cannabis Legalization

As had been predicted by analysts, supplies of recreational marijuana could not meet the massive demand for the product even for the first day when retail outlets opened. The shortages did not discriminate between online stores and brick and mortar outlets since both were equally hit.

Long queues could be seen outside the retail stores as clients waited to enter the premises and buy cannabis to celebrate legalization day.

However, many people were turned away as the stores sold out everything that they had stocked ahead of the opening day. It isn’t known how quickly these shortages will be resolved.

One store owner remarked about how ironical it was that his establishment went dry at exactly 4:20. Of all times!

Even those lucky customers who entered the stores while some products were still available were unhappy that they could not have their choice of cannabis products since only a small range was available by the time those clients got in.

Marijuana retailers are unhappy that they let down lots of their customers on such an important day. The ideal situation would have been to avail more than customers need so that a pattern is established that clients will always have their pick of cannabis products at their preferred retail store.

People who tried to buy their products online complained that the sites crashed frequently, products were sold out or other glitches prevented the online platforms from working well.

Three major points need to be noted about what is unfolding after the legalization of recreational cannabis.

First, existing and new producers need to ramp up their production so that such shortages don’t plague the industry for longer than is unavoidable. It is hard to comprehend how businesses can fail to plan for such a huge demand which any layperson could have predicted.

Secondly, such shortages can have an adverse effect on the stocks of cannabis companies since the market always responds to the prevailing sentiments. Consumers aren’t happy, and that may hurt stock prices.

Third, shortages are bad because they provide an unconscious justification for the black market. If someone wants a product badly enough, they will reach a point where any supplier will do, including the black market which has honed its logistical systems over the years. The black market isn’t good for consumers (product quality issues, for example), it isn’t good for legal cannabis businesses (lost customers and revenue) and it isn’t good for the government (lost taxes, public health issues, law enforcement headaches, etc.).

Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) and American Premium Water Corp. (OTC: HIPH) must be longing for the chance to operate in such a market where demand is so high that every product made will be assured of a buyer

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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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Flow of Finance Funds Acquisitions and Investment Across the Cannabis Sector

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: A growing market is supporting a wave of acquisitions and cross-company investments in the cannabis industry.

  • Significant growth in the cannabis industry is supporting a range of multimillion-dollar investments.
  • Some of these have taken the form of acquisitions, as innovators evolve into established companies.
  • Others are cross-company investments, some within the sector and some from outside.
  • Profits are coming not just from cannabis itself but from support services, with companies profiting from pick-and-shovel plays.

One of the companies making a pick-and-shovel play is Sugarmade, Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) (SGMD Profile), which is expanding its position in cultivation supplies through acquisitions and marketing agreements. GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) recently carried out a public offering to fund further growth, raising $345 million to expand its cannabis-oriented pharmaceuticals work. AbbVie, Inc. (NYSE: ABBV), on the other hand, has retained only a limited connection to cannabis, moving instead into other treatments. Specialist consulting company MariMed, Inc. (OTCQB: MRMD) provides advice for those looking to expand in the sector, covering the development and management of cultivation facilities, and recently investing in a related software company. For Medmen Enterprises, Inc. (OTCQX: MMNFF) (CSE: MMEN), expansion means a vertically integrated supply chain across four US states as it expands a carefully developed brand.

Cannabis Acquisitions Continue as Companies Seek Liquidity

With the completion of cannabis legalization in Canada, investors are watching closely to see what effect this will have on the market. Over less than 20 years, cannabis has evolved from nothing into a multimillion-dollar industry, with companies ranging from cultivators and retailers to payment specialists and equipment suppliers. As it continues to expand at a rapid rate in both Canada and the US, the market is seeing growth for players both big and small.

To fuel this development, many companies are looking for fresh finance. Liquidity is needed to fund research, development, and expansion, from building larger cultivation facilities to setting up new retail outlets. This is both driven by and driving a wave of new finance deals and acquisitions, as the sector matures and consolidates its resources.

Acquiring the Fundamentals

The appeal of acquisitions is driving the strategy of companies such as hydroponics supplier Sugarmade, Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD). Hydroponic equipment is essential to the indoor cultivation of cannabis, so the growth of the sector promises a boom in demand for hydroponics. Sugarmade is using this boom to attract additional finance and undertake a raft of acquisitions, with an end goal of becoming a major player not just in hydroponics but in the cannabis space itself.

Such acquisitions have taken off in a big way over the past year. The first half of 2018 saw 145 mergers and acquisitions in the cannabis sector, nearly double the number for the same period in 2017. Some of these represent consolidation by existing cannabis players, as they mature from innovative startups into established businesses in a widely accepted field. But money is also coming in from the outside, for example through Constellation Brands’ acquisition of a large portion of Canopy Growth.

A pattern is emerging of cannabis-adjacent companies moving directly into the sector. For a company such as Constellation, the move is a sideways one from investment in alcohol to one in cannabis, protecting its place in the recreational consumables market. It’s the same play that other alcohol and tobacco companies are eyeing. For Sugarmade, acquisitions represent expansion within its existing business, ensuring a firm hold on hydroponics, as well as a move up and down the supply chain to better profit from the businesses it is already tied to.

A Pick-and-Shovel Strategy

Earlier this year, Sugarmade announced that it was moving to acquire two other suppliers of cultivation equipment. Now details of those deals are emerging, with the signing of a binding Letter of Intent (“LOI”) to acquire Sky Unlimited, LLC. This could allow Sugarmade to expand its distribution channels, thanks to the different models followed by the two companies. While Sugarmade’s sales to the cannabis sector primarily come through online buyers, Sky Unlimited specializes in selling to wholesalers and large commercial cultivators. Combining the two may create manufacturing, logistical, and marketing efficiencies across an expanded customer base.

“The trend in cannabis cultivation is toward the larger commercial cultivation operations, and Sky Unlimited is in the thick of that dynamic marketplace,” said Jimmy Chan, CEO of Sugarmade. “This year, Sky Unlimited and its associated operations are expected to produce in excess of $40 million in revenues with profitability and positive cash flow. This new revenue stream combined with our recently upwardly guided revenue forecast of $30 million for next year will make Sugarmade one of the largest publicly traded suppliers to the booming cannabis cultivation marketplace, with a combined revenue forecast for next year in excess of $70 million.”

The types of company being targeted by Sugarmade reveal a pick-and-shovel strategy. Rather than making a direct jump into cannabis, the company is investing in the underlying products and services cannabis suppliers need. It’s a more conservative move than investing directly in cannabis, one that will buffer Sugarmade against the immediate effects of a fast-changing and still controversial sector, while letting it profit from the sector’s growth.

Following a previous Master Marketing Agreement with BizRight, this latest move makes Sugarmade one of the largest publicly traded cannabis supply companies. The company shows no sign of stopping there, having announced its intention to continue with an expansion strategy. The next likely move may well be brand acquisition, providing a higher price-to-earnings ratio for investors. Having already made an acquisition proposal for a Washington state retailer with $5 million in annual revenues, Sugarmade is on its way to becoming a more public fixture in the cannabis market.

Financing Growth in Cannabis

As in any sector, the success of expansion strategies will depend upon their liquidity. Fortunately, the state of the cannabis market appears to currently ensure a steady stream of finance. The US cannabis market alone is expected to be worth $10 billion in 2018, 50 percent more than it was only two years ago. Canada’s market is also expected to be worth billions, as legalization transfers the recreational consumer base from illegal dealers to legitimate businesses.

Cannabis companies are using this opportunity to channel finance into growth. Some are striking deals for bank loans in newly legalized regions, while others are using public offerings to raise fresh finance through sales of shares.

Sugarmade is taking a different approach, using expansion to fund further expansion. Following the BizRight and Sky Unlimited deals, the company has upgraded its projections for revenue in 2019 from $6 million to $70 million. Its previous deals will now provide the liquidity for future acquisitions, allowing a rolling strategy of expansion across the sector.

The pick-and-shovel plays look to pay off.

Cannabis Companies Making Big Moves

As the market keeps growing, so do many of the companies working in cannabis.

GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) is a world leader in the development of cannabis-related medicines, thanks to its strong research program and manufacturing expertise. Already a major player in the sector, the company has recently sought funds for expansion through a public offering. The result was an extra $345 million in funds, reflecting investors’ faith in the cannabis sector and in the future of companies such as GW. These funding will allow the company to keep growing its research and production work, with that research work expanding its portfolio of cannabis-related intellectual property.

While some companies invest more heavily in cannabis, others are diversifying. Pharmaceuticals manufacturer AbbVie, Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) is the company behind Marinol, a drug used to tackle appetite loss due to AIDS and cancer treatments. But while Marinol’s active ingredient is chemically identical to THC, the best-known active ingredient in cannabis, the company has filed only a handful of patents relating to cannabis and shows no sign of expansion into the sector. It’s a move that may help AbbVie in marketing to cannabis’s opponents, but one that leaves the space open for competitors.

The expansion of cannabis companies has supported the emergence of specialist support services, such as those provided by MariMed, Inc. (OTCQB: MRMD). A cannabis consulting firm, MariMed provides professional guidance on the development, funding, and operation of cultivation facilities. This can help other firms navigate the complicated issues surrounding the industry, covering everything from real estate to regulatory compliance. The company recently invested in Sprout, a software company supporting cannabis brands and dispensaries, allowing it to bundle software with its other business solutions.

Medmen Enterprises, Inc. (OTCQX: MMNFF) (CSE: MMEN),  has used expansion to develop a vertically integrated supply chain. The company works in both cultivation and retail, meaning that it handles the product all the way from planting first seedlings to placing packaged cannabis into customers’ hands. Its recent acquisition of dispensary and cultivation facilities from Treadwell Simpson Partnership means that it is spreading its carefully managed brand from existing bases in California, Nevada, and New York into Florida.

The growth of the cannabis market is providing a flow of finance, leading to acquisitions and cross-company investments across the sector.

For more information on Sugarmade, visit Sugarmade, Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD)

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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420 with CNW – Poll Suggests North Dakota Will Legalize Marijuana Next Month

A new opinion poll in North Dakota is suggesting that those in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana will take the day when the matter is voted upon during the midterm polls next month.

This ballot measure comes after the state legalized medical marijuana two years ago and implementation is set to start next year.

Measure 3 is expected to legalize cannabis for adult use without any limits on how much marijuana someone can possess or grow. The minimum age limit for this adult consumption has been set at 21. The measure also seeks to expunge all marijuana convictions and protect the state from liability claims originating from marijuana convictions.

The new opinion poll suggests that 51 percent of the voters will vote “yes” while 36 percent will vote “no” to the ballot measure. However, a significant fraction (13 percent) of the participants in the poll revealed that they hadn’t made up their mind regarding how they will vote. This group could well hold the key to determining which direction the vote eventually swings on voting day.

Demographics are also likely to play a role in the outcome of the vote. Voters older than 50 seem to be biased in favor of continued prohibition while those who are younger than 50 want prohibition to end.

Advocates are therefore hoping that younger voters turn up in massive numbers so that the measure sails through in November. The opinion poll conducted by The Kitchen Group had 57 percent of its respondents in the over 50 age group.

It is noteworthy that respondents were more likely to agree with Measure 3 if they were told that legalizing marijuana would go a long way towards combating the opiate crisis and leaving the meagre law enforcement resources to be directed to more serious issues.

North Dakota is unique from other states that have legalized cannabis in a sense that those who are advocating for the ballot measure don’t have big financiers on their side while the people opposed to the measure have invested massively to sway public opinion against recreational cannabis.

LegalizeND (Legalize North Dakota, a committee set up to campaign for legalization) has been working tirelessly to provide accurate information about marijuana in order to counter the propaganda spread by those opposed to legalization.

Observers say both sides of the ballot measure appear to be getting more funding from sources outside the state when compared to the campaign funds being generated locally. Those opposed to the measure have nearly got all their funding from one source (an anti-marijuana lobby group called SAM, or Smart Approaches to Marijuana). Cannabis companies like TransCanna and VIVO Cannabis Inc. (TSX.V: VIVO) (OTCQX: VVCIF) can only watch from a distance as the trend of cannabis legalization unfolds.

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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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420 with CNW – Congressman Releases Plan to Decriminalize Marijuana After Midterm Elections

A leading Democratic Congressman has revealed his plan to get legislation passed to end cannabis prohibition in case the Democrats take control of Congress after the midterm elections.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer echoed the sentiments of many around the country when he said that Congress was currently disconnected from the wishes of the different states and citizens around the country on the subject of cannabis.

He therefore sees the November polls as an opportunity for the Democrats to change that situation in case they get a majority in the House. Analysts believe that there is a big chance that the Democrats will regain their majority in Congress.

Congressman Blumenauer wrote a memo to the Democratic House leader outlining the different steps that should be followed in order to change the laws around marijuana. He wants his blueprint to pave the way for the Senate to feel the pressure and change its stance regarding marijuana.

The Senate is expected to remain under the control of the Republicans, and they have a history of blocking any legislation intended to end marijuana prohibition.

The Oregon Congressman wants the different Committees of the House to use the first six months after the polls to hold hearings at which the public and experts share their views on marijuana. He believes that every committee has power over some aspect of marijuana regulation.

For example, the House Judiciary Committee should work towards de-scheduling marijuana so that it is no longer a Schedule 1 substance at the federal level.

In the same vein, the House Financial Services Committee can also hold hearings on how the barriers stopping marijuana businesses from accessing banking services can be removed.

The Veterans Affairs Committee can also hold hearings on how equal and safe access to medical marijuana can be guaranteed for the nation’s veterans.

Congressman Blumenauer also gives a detailed plan outlining the different activities that should be completed within given timelines. For example, he hopes that by April, the different committees should start passing policies to narrow the gaps between state and federal marijuana policies.

His intention is that the end of 2019 should see a main bill ending federal marijuana prohibition being tabled for a vote by the entire House.

While this plan may sound like music to the ears of marijuana advocates, major hurdles still stand in its way. For starters, Senate isn’t likely to look favorably on any measures to legalize marijuana federally.

Secondly, Democratic Party House leaders aren’t hyped up about making marijuana decriminalization a priority for their first year in charge after the midterm polls. The Flowr Corporation (TSX.V: FLWR) and The Green Organic Dutchman (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) must be watching all these developments quietly from a distance waiting for prohibition to end so that they can enter the country in a big way.

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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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Changing Attitudes in Washington Offer Promise for Hemp and Cannabis Market

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Legal changes could soon make transacting business easier for the cannabis industry.

  • Reports indicate that the president plans to reform cannabis laws, making commerce easier for businesses working in states with legal markets.
  • Reforming the law could improve the position of companies working with cannabidiol (CBD) as a food additive and industrial hemp.
  • Hemp and CBD are now large segments of the cannabis sector.
  • These anticipated legal changes are part of a wider international shift.

One of the companies that may benefit from changes in the United States is Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTC: MCOA) (MCOA Profile), which works primarily in cultivating industrial hemp and developing CBD products. Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY), which has affiliates around the world, may use its global experience to adjust to changes in the United States. Research into cannabis by companies such as Cronos Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) will become easier, eventually improving product ranges and patient well-being. The legislative shift is also being encouraged by companies such as PotNetwork Holding, Inc. (OTC: POTN) through efforts at public and industry events. And as industry leaders such as Aphria, Inc. (OTC: APHQF) (TSX: APH) swallow up smaller companies, a stronger, consolidated sector is likely to result.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

White House Hints at Cannabis Reform

Spirits have been lifted in the American cannabis industry following a report that the White House is planning to support drug law reform. California Sen. Dana Rohrabacher told Fox Business that insiders around the president have said he intends to push for a reform of cannabis regulation. This would reportedly involve encouraging the federal government to make medical marijuana legal on a national level while leaving the status of recreational cannabis up to individual states.

The reasons behind Rohrabacher’s announcement are clear. As a Republican defending a closely fought seat in a pro-cannabis state, he stands to benefit from convincing his constituents that his party is pro-cannabis. But the stance is also part of a wider trend in politics.

A growing number of politicians from both main parties have shown support for legalization, driven by shifts in public attitudes. Polls this year have indicated that 64 percent of Americans support legalization and 74 percent support legislation that would protect states that legalize cannabis despite the federal government’s opposition. Always happy to ride a high-profile trend, President Donald Trump has previously indicated that he will support a states’ rights agenda on the issue, despite action in the opposite direction by his attorney general.

What will this mean for cannabis companies?

Making Life Easier for Cannabis Companies

Cannabis is already big business in the United States. Nearly two-thirds of states have legalized medical marijuana in some form, and one in five have legalized its recreational use. Clearly, there’s a large legal market to be served. This has led to growth not only for companies catering to those sectors but to those engaging in cannabis in other ways, such as Marijuana Company of America (OTC: MCOA).

MCOA illustrates the variety of ways in which companies are now engaging in the cannabis sector. Rather than producing medical or recreational cannabis, the company has focused on varied uses of industrial hemp, a form of cannabis without the psychoactive qualities. Derivatives of hemp can be used in food, textiles, construction and medicines, making it a versatile and valuable crop.

Within that part of the sector, MCOA has a variety of operations. The company is engaged in two partnerships to improve plant strains and cultivation techniques, and sells a range of products derived from hemp. This range of business opportunities is part of what makes the cannabis sector so profitable, with a value in the billions of dollars in Canada alone.

The potential profits of the sector mean that ambitious companies such as MCOA have been able to raise finance through investment rather than through hard-to-come-by bank loans, which have been in short supply in the United States because of the federal government’s stance toward the plant. Clearing up the contradictions between state and federal laws would make business much easier.

Industrial Hemp

One of the biggest growth areas within the current cannabis market may not necessarily feed into the medical or recreational cannabis markets. That sector is industrial hemp.

Hemp is a form of cannabis that contains only a minimal level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical that gets cannabis consumers high. Before the general prohibition on cannabis cultivation, hemp was largely used in producing rope and textiles. Now this space is seeing a resurgence thanks to changes in cannabis legislation. MCOA is involved in growing hemp through businesses such as its New Brunswick Hemp Project, one of many companies exploring hemp’s potential.

In the United States, hemp is currently grown legally on sites designated as research and test projects. This was made possible following the 2014 Farm Bill, which included provisions for such sites.The potential for that bill to be expanded this year to full agricultural legalization of hemp is expected to drive spectacular success for farmers who choose to cultivate it. Hemp can be grown outdoors in fields and will grow quickly in a wide range of conditions. Some farmers have predicted that they may see revenues of $90,000 per acre for the crop, compared with only $600 for alfalfa, one of the most popular crops in the United States.

The 2014 Farm Bill expired at the end of September this year, and the bill scheduled to replace it has not yet been passed, thanks to battles on a wide range of issues between Republicans and Democrats. Surprisingly, hemp is fairly noncontroversial. The plant has found cross-party support, with backing for legal reform driven by Republican leaders. As a result, provisions in the bill that would allow for more hemp farming will almost certainly be passed when work on the bill is completed after the November mid-terms.

The updated Farm Bill will make it easier for companies such as MCOA to expand their operations and sell their products. And following reports about cannabis law reforms coming out of the White House, the bill looks likely to become a herald of wider potential.

Hemp’s Big New-Profit Area — CBD

One of the most exciting areas for exploration is how hemp can best be turned into profit. CBD is hemp’s primary active ingredient. Recent research has found a range of uses for CBD in health and wellness products. It’s the extraction of CBD that makes hemp so potentially profitable for modern farmers.

CBD is already being used in a wide variety of products. MCOA’s hempSMART line alone includes pain capsules, a topical pain cream, face cream and pet wellness products. Legal changes will make it easier for companies to research and manufacture products such as these, broadening the scope of the CBD market.

Unregulated CBD grants companies more potential to go international, as its sale is less limited than that of medical and recreational cannabis. MCOA is currently preparing to launch hempSMART into Europe and has appointed a new global sales director to oversee this work.

Legal Changes Affect Many Companies

Whether it’s the Farm Bill or President Trump’s promise to accept a revision of federal laws, the possibility of legal changes has the potential to affect a lot of companies working within the cannabis sector. State-level legalization and changes in Canada’s laws this month have allowed companies to emerge working entirely within this sector.

Like MCOA, Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is working beyond the boundaries of the United States. The company has affiliates in Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and Portugal, and is now adding Chile to that roster through the acquisition of Alef Biotechnology SpA. Tilray’s products are already used by tens of thousands of patients as well as physicians and researchers around the world. That gives the company existing experience and infrastructure to expand in a reformed American market.

Another company with international reach — Cronos Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) — is earning a name for itself not just as a supplier of cannabis products but also as a researcher in the arena. Cronos has recently announced a study into the effectiveness of medical cannabis in tackling sleep disorders. Such research will be both easier and more profitable as more countries legalize cannabis.

A sign of the power of the sector is the growing number of holding companies now built around cannabis. PotNetwork Holding, Inc. (OTC: POTN) is one of those, with subsidiary companies covering cannabis production and related parts of the industry. The company is reaching out to customers through large events such as the 2018 World Vapor Expo, designed to increase the profile of cannabis and remind those in power of the plant’s popularity. Such corporate PR work is increasing the momentum of the movement towards legalization.

The growth of the industry has also led to a series of mergers and acquisitions, as big players consolidate their hold. Aphria, Inc. (OTC: APHQF) (TSX: APH) recently completed acquisitions in Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada, bringing with them supply agreements reaching into Europe and Israel. Liberalization of cannabis laws is becoming a global trend, and as the businesses involved become bigger, so will the push for further reform.

Legal changes appear certain to come to the United States. When they do, there will be plenty of companies making the most of them.

For more information on Marijuana Company of America, visit Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTC: MCOA)

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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DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

420 with CNW – Ohio Still Unsure How Medical Cannabis Cash Will Be Safeguarded

A lot of cash is expected to flow when Ohio legalizes medical marijuana towards the end of 2018 or early next year. However, all that expected cash is causing serious concerns since financial institutions like banks and credit unions are reluctant to offer banking services to cannabis businesses.

The reluctance of the banking sector stems from the fact that the federal government still regards marijuana as an illegal substance. Consequently, money laundering and other federal charges could be imposed on any financial institution that does business with a cannabis enterprise (dispensary) that is legal at state level.

Ohio expects the medical marijuana sales to peak at about $300 million within the first year of legalization. Financial institutions are opting to forego all those deposits and other transactions just to be safe from the wrath of federal prosecutors.

This means that medical marijuana dispensaries will have to accept only cash from patients and then keep that cash to pay salaries, taxes and any other costs associated with the business. In the meantime, the cash will be lying around in safes, vaults, trash bags or any other container into which dispensary operators will decide to stash their revenues.

Such large amounts of cash will certainly pose a public safety and security hazard since cannabis businesses will become attractive targets for criminals who will be tempted to lay their hands on that money.

The dispensaries may have to install security cameras, steel doors and security guards to protect the premises from break-ins. However, the reality in other states where banking services aren’t available to cannabis businesses shows that those security measures aren’t always effective in deterring crime.

The state regulators are aware of the risks that cannabis dispensaries will face and numerous measures will have to be implemented by the businesses in order to ensure that employees and customers are safe.

For example, all dispensaries must install alarm systems which have to be activated once business hours end and the facility is closed. Round the clock camera surveillance is also mandatory, among other stringent security measures.

The signals coming from Washington aren’t making matters any easier. First, Attorney General Sessions cancelled a memo which had been written by the Treasury Department clarifying that financial institutions wouldn’t be prosecuted for offering banking services to cannabis businesses in states where legalization had taken place.

This difference between state and federal laws is certainly keeping companies like Net Element (NASDAQ: NETE) and TransCanna on tenterhooks since each set of laws comes with its own list of complications.

More from CannabisNewsWire

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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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420 with CNW – New Research Proves that there is More to Marijuana than THC and CBD

There is an assumption among marijuana consumers (for medical or recreational purposes) that the variations in the effects they get from the different cannabis strains are a result of variations in the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) concentration in those strains. However, a new study has revealed that such a perception may not be a full reflection of what is going on.

The University of British Columbia-based researchers studied 33 strains of both Sativa and Indica strains of cannabis and found that there was little variation in their CBD or THC content.

However, the different strains varied widely in terms of the other cannabinoids that they contained. This finding raised the possibility that it is those other active ingredients which determine what therapeutic or psychoactive reaction a consumer will get when they consume a particular product.

Consumers need to know that cannabis has approximately 100 cannabinoids but regulations only require manufacturers to declare how much THC and CBD is present in a given product. The focus on THC and CBD may be based on the fact that those two active ingredients are the most plentiful in the cannabis plant.

However, as any lawyer will tell you, the devil is always in the details. The little-known cannabinoids could the real “heroes” of the effects that cannabis users experience.

More attention therefore needs to be focused upon understanding all the active ingredients in marijuana and how they affect a consumer.

The way cannabis strains are bred also needs to be formalized so that the scientific community can understand which strains contain which combination of active ingredients and which ones were lost during a breeding procedure.

The prohibitionist laws which have existed for long made it impossible for breeders to accurately document the lineage and characteristics of the different marijuana strains currently available. Consequently, it is possible that the same strain may have a different name based on the interests of the entity currently growing and marketing that variation of the same strain.

On the consumer side, the researchers advise that users educate themselves about the benefits of “whole plant medicine” instead of being lost in how this strain has this amount of THC or CBD when compared to another strain.

If the research achieved anything, that thing was showing the world how little is currently known about the composition, effects and uses to which marijuana can be put. You can bet that Phivida Holdings Inc. (CSE: VIDA) (OTCQX: PHVAF) and Sugarmade, Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) are working to unravel the secrets marijuana has for the world.

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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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Direct Selling Returns as Functional Cannabis Foods Fare Well Amid Landmark Legalization

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: All eyes are on Canada and the burgeoning North American cannabis market as the flood gates open and nationwide recreational legalization north of the U.S. border throws the recent $47.3 billion by 2027 forecast from Arcview Market Research into clear relief.

  • Historic end of cannabis prohibition creates unprecedented market forces
  • CBD could outpace broader market
  • Direct selling in the digital age more relevant than ever
  • Overlapping cultural vectors among core wellness and cannabis consumers
  • Biopharma potential immense, nutritional potential immediately accessible commercially

Already running hot at $9.2 billion last year, the North American cannabis market appears to be just getting started. Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) (YGYI Profile) is a particularly interesting player in this space that deserves further examination considering the company’s strong logistical footprint in direct selling, the success of a shrewd and comprehensive growth model in ground coffee retail, and an established presence as one of the most trusted names in nutritional supplements. INSYS Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: INSY) has a leading position in the development of pharmaceutical cannabinoids. Developers of MARINOL, the first synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) oral solution, AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) has been ranked in the top five on Science magazine’s annual list of Top Science Employers. Zynerba Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZYNE) is known for transdermal cannabinoid therapies and recently reported the initiation of a first-of-its-kind clinical study using a novel pharmaceutically produced CBD targeting epilepsy and Fragile X syndrome. Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CARA) is at the forefront of preclinical work in selective cannabinoid receptor-modulating formulas that avoid interacting with receptors in the central nervous system.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Functional Cannabis Consumables

CBD from sources such as industrial hemp, which would be legal to cultivate in the United States under the new Farm Bill currently being considered, could post growth that eclipses that of the broader cannabis space. A strong driver here is the mounting laundry list of proven health benefits of CBD.

Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) recently announced the launch of two new organic hemp-derived cannabidiol products designed to be used with the company’s proprietary portable water-filtering bottle system. HempFX™ Hydration™ — Sleep has added melatonin and promotes healthy sleep patterns naturally, while HempFX Hydration™ — Pure is designed to deliver 25 mg of full-spectrum CBD directly to the digestive system.

These beverages are now available online and join a growing portfolio of organic CBD-based products from YGYI, including HempFX Soothe™ for achy joints and muscles; HempFX Uplift™, which is designed to naturally elevate mood and promote overall health; and HempFX Relax™, which is packed with a wide variety of sleep-supporting botanicals.

The meteoric rise in YGYI’s share price in recent weeks to a high of $16.25, nearly triple the preceding trend of several years, was pared somewhat due to broader market declines, leading to an $11.47 close the week ending Oct 19. However, the market mini-correction in the latest FOMC meeting, where a steady and largely anticipated diet of gradual rate hikes was indicated, appears to have blown off most of its steam according to many analysts, including those at J.P. Morgan who see a reversal on the horizon as earnings season begins. The current situation could present a nice buying opportunity, should the recent upward trend again find traction.

Huge Direct Selling Network, Increasingly Global Footprint

Q2 2018 saw a 6.6 percent increase in revenues for YGYI to $44.3 million, led by a 23.7 percent jump in coffee sales. With 83 percent of total revenues coming from direct selling (up 3.7 percent) and the remainder coming from coffee, news that the company is boldly entering the CBD market has set some analysts’ mouths watering. The company’s coffee-roasting segment, run by wholly owned subsidiary CLR Roasters, has seen tremendous success with its high-energy, fat-burning JavaFit line of gourmet coffees as well as the increasingly popular Café La Rica and Josie’s Java House brands.

The same kind of combined marketing, distribution, sourcing and branded product expertise YGYI has demonstrated in mastery of the coffee game could put investors in the pole position as the company goes cannabis, especially amid a political environment where antiquated regulations are hastily going up in smoke.

In a deal further cementing YGYI’s foothold in the hospitality market, the company recently signed a massive new deal with a major operator in the cruise line industry that will put YGYI’s coffees in the bellies of the entire crew of a 60-ship fleet, as well as those of passengers on three luxury cruise ships. Youngevity has quickly built out a comprehensive coffee revenue pipeline encompassing green coffee distribution, private-label roasting and sales of owned brands, significantly enabled by an existing direct sales matrix of high-value relationships. This direct sales network is backed by an increasingly sophisticated web platform, which is helping YGYI’s expansion into global markets proceed apace of expectations.

Following Field-to-Cup Coffee Model

Youngevity’s unique field-to-cup approach to the coffee market, including sourcing its coffees from an expanding footprint in the high-mountain region of Nicaragua known for producing exceptional beans, is something the company is dedicated to emulating as it enters the cannabis market.

From the CLR Roasters plantations in Matagalpa, Nicaragua, to the company’s state-of-the-art 40,000-square-foot roasting, grinding, packaging facility and headquarters in Miami, Youngevity has mapped out a field-to-cup coffee bean road show that has met unparalleled success. With an abundance of cultural overlap among the company’s highest priority consumer segments and a solid reputation with nutraceutical and healthy lifestyle consumers, YGYI is leveraging both its assets and experience as it migrates into functional cannabis foods. Looking at its overall nutritional product assortment, the company seems to understand the importance of high-quality raw materials as it relates to developing brand loyalty among these highly sought-after demos.

Direct Selling Prowess Key to Future

Youngevity has established an enviable presence in the North American direct selling market, with a sizeable chunk of a growing $37.8 billion empire that is staffed by an army of some 18.6 million direct selling representatives. Innovations such as the company’s YoungevityGo2 app, which empowers distributors with a considerable promotional and management engine that fits in their pockets, has helped the company secure a formidable legion of dedicated direct sellers.

With such a robust direct selling model that spills over into e-commerce and social selling, it should come as no surprise that Youngevity’s CEO Steve Wallach was recently appointed to the board of directors at the 200-plus member Direct Selling Association. The merger of direct selling and cannabis could be a showstopper, and many investors are looking to YGYI to be where the rubber meets the road.

Cannabinoids Potential

The nutraceutical and cosmeceutical potential of cannabinoids is reinforced by the rapidly developing clinical and preclinical pipelines of a wide variety of companies that are looking to commercialize indications targeting everything from sleeplessness and anxiety to epilepsy and cancer.

INSYS Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: INSY) is currently working on testing the company’s oral CBD solution in the treatment of neurocognition and neuroimmune response, as well as eating behavior and other symptoms. Such work in early psychosis adds considerable weight to the studies announced earlier this year, which are using CBD to treat the symptoms of severe childhood autism. INSYS is also continuing to support ongoing efforts to study CBD as a treatment for cocaine dependency.

AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) will always have the record of being first out of the gate with an FDA-approved, cannabis-based drug targeting nausea and lack of appetite among chemotherapy and AIDS patients. The company continues to be a contender in the space, due to the abundance of in-house expertise and facilities, where the company is forging a new path to the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Zynerba Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZYNE) made a strong case at the 16th annual International Fragile X Conference for the use of transdermal CBD gel. Its compelling and statistically significant data could be a winner for the company and could come to represent a frontline approach for alleviating the common observable behaviors Fragile X syndrome presents among children and adolescents.

Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CARA) has evaluated CR701 in animal model studies where it showed a significant reversal of enhanced pain response (hyperalgesia) and the kind of predisposition to increased pain sensitization and neuronal response to pain (allodynia) experienced among fibromyalgia patients. CARA has a considerable depth of knowledge in kappa opioid receptor science when it comes to treating chronic and acute pain, as well as disease-related itching, with indications like CR845/difelikefalin and KORSUVA, now both in Phase 3 clinical trials.

Until now, recreational consumer markets such as nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals have always been realities perceived only by the cannabis industry’s over-the-horizon radar. But the potential for broad-spectrum biopharma indications that could help combat many incurable or underserved maladies could be an even greater development than the seemingly inevitable rise of every day cannabis-infused foods and beverages.

For more information on Youngevity, visit Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI)

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.

Receive Text Alerts from CannabisNewsWire: Text “Cannabis” to 21000

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DISCLAIMER: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by CNW are solely those of CNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable CNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. CNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and is NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, CNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

CNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and CNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.