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 – Canadian Cannabis Investors at Risk of US Entry Bans

In a disturbing development, Canadians who have invested in the cannabis industry now face the risk of being banned permanently from entering the United States. This reality came to light when a prominent Canadian venture capitalist, Sam Znaimer, was told he was permanently barred from entering the U.S. due to his equity holdings in American cannabis companies whose shares are publicly traded on Canadian stock exchanges, such as the Toronto Stock Exchange.

He was shocked by the decision, since no single question had been posed regarding whether or not he consumed cannabis.

His shock is understandable given the fact that many people have shares in investment vehicles, such as mutual funds, and those investors have no clue where that money is channeled in order to earn the investor a return on his or her investment.

The example above is just one of a growing number of similar bans handed out by the Customs and Border Protection department of the U.S.

For now, it seems only those who have invested in American cannabis companies are being targeted. However, CBP (Customs and Border Protection) officials have revealed that even those who consume marijuana could be affected, especially when the smell is detected while pre-entry checks are being done at border crossings.

The view of the U.S authorities is that cannabis is a controlled substance, so anyone associated with it contravenes U.S. law and may be denied entry. However, no blanket action is foreseen, and border officials will exercise their discretion in enforcing the eligibility requirements for any alien trying to enter the U.S.

People who have been banned from entering the U.S. due to their connections to the cannabis industry will unfortunately have no recourse regarding the ban. However, the affected persons can apply for a temporary waiver so that they can be allowed into the U.S.

The process of obtaining the waiver is likely to be drawn out and very expensive, since there will be legal fees and application fees. There is no guarantee that whoever applies for the waiver will get it.

The risk of being barred from entering the U.S. is likely to put a damper on people who were considering investing in cannabis stocks. This fear is certainly real for Americans, since cannabis is illegal at the federal level. By law, Americans can’t be denied entry as they return from abroad, but that is little comfort since other actions could possibly be taken against them now or in the future.

It remains to be seen how cannabis players, such as Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (MCOA) and Medical Cannabis Payment Solutions (REFG), will be affected in the medium- and long-term by the tough stance taken by the U.S Customs and Border Protection agency.

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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 – Study Finds Marijuana Use Among Older Americans Has Doubled

A study published recently in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence has revealed that the use of cannabis among older Americans has increased remarkably from the level where it was a decade earlier.

The rise was 100 percent among baby boomers (those aged 50 to 64-years), since cannabis use prevalence rose from 4.5 percent a decade ago to 9 percent, according to data collected from 2015 to 2016.

Older adults (those aged 65 and above) increased their use of cannabis exponentially from 0.4 percent in 2005/2006 to nearly 3 percent 10 years later.

It is also noteworthy that more than half of surveyed baby boomers confessed during the study that they had used marijuana at least once by the age of 21. In contrast, less than a quarter of the older adults (65 and older) admitted to have used cannabis at age 21 or younger.

It is also important to note that a significant proportion of the seniors revealed that they used cannabis upon the recommendation of a doctor. The legalization of medical cannabis may therefore provide one of the possible reasons why older Americans are increasingly using pot.

Another possible reason why cannabis use could have increased among the age groups covered in the study is that society has evolved in the way it regards cannabis. There is a growing level of acceptance of marijuana, and this may explain why those who use it are willing to admit it during surveys.

However, a few professionals are expressing some concerns about the rising use of cannabis by older Americans. First, the strains of the plant currently available may be very potent when compared to what the baby boomers and those older consumed decades ago. Accidental overuse may therefore result from exposure to these stronger strains.

Secondly, many older citizens have chronic health challenges, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. There are fears that cannabis consumption may interact adversely with the medications that seniors are taking for those ailments.

The advanced age of these older citizens may also mean that their bodies are less capable of handling the effects of cannabis, since most body systems may no longer be functioning as robustly as they once did during the younger days of those consuming marijuana.

This study highlights the need for further research on how cannabis use is affecting older Americans. Not much (cannabis-wise) is known about these age groups, yet a lot of information is available on the use of cannabis among teenagers. It would be interesting to hear what the participants in the legal cannabis industry, such as Cannabis Strategic Ventures, Inc. (NUGS) and The Flowr Corporation have to say about the implications of this study.

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420 with CNW – The Marijuana Bill Undergoes Congressional Vote

Today, the Judiciary Committee of congress is voting on the Medical Cannabis Research Act. The proposed legislation is sponsored by a Republican, Mathew Gaetz, and 40 more cosponsors from both sides of the house. The Medical Cannabis Research Act is primarily intended to remove the legal barriers to the licensing of other producers of marijuana for research purposes. Other related issues are also included in this landmark legislation.

Players in cannabis medical research have previously complained that the single grower (University of Mississippi) of the plant is often unable to supply cannabis of an acceptable quality and volume for the different facilities involved in studying how this plant can be used to treat different health challenges. This frustrates the researchers and slows down their work.

The fact that the act is up for a vote in a congressional committee is itself a victory since the Republican Party has traditionally been opposed to any form of cannabis legalization. The timing of the bill is also favorable given that President Trump has voiced his support for cannabis law reforms.

However, a cloud still hangs over how the vote will go since several objections still exist to some of the provisions within the proposed law. For example, the requirement that manufacturers should get the approval (i.e. letter of good standing) of the law enforcement agencies in their areas of operation has taken some flak since enforcement agencies have been vocal about their objection to cannabis reforms.

Concern has also been raised about the provision which seeks to bar anyone with a drugs conviction from participating in the permitted aspects of the cannabis industry. This, reform advocates are convinced, is geared at excluding large sections of the African American and other minorities who have borne the brunt of drugs enforcement efforts.

Nevertheless, some sections of cannabis stakeholders view the legislation with positive lenses. Matt Gaetz, for example, sees this law as the first step in the right direction, its imperfections notwithstanding. With different states passing their own cannabis legislation, it is only a matter of time before broader reforms are instituted at the federal level. The Gaetz bill is therefore seen as one of the key steps to dismantling the prohibition wall around cannabis.

Observers don’t expect major changes to be made to this bill since it was carefully drafted to include concessions that address the interests of those on both sides of the debate. The question on everyone’s mind is how that bill will pass at the committee level and the impact of the discussions in the committee on how the entire house will receive that bill. Industry players like BLOCKStrain Technology Corp. (TSX.V: DNAX) (OTC: BKKSF) and Cannabis Strategic Ventures Inc. (OTC: NUGS) are keeping a keen eye on this matter since their businesses could greatly benefit from a favorable congressional vote.

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The CBD Bonanza on the Horizon

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Leveraging ever-expanding scientific evidence of the therapeutic efficacy of CBD (cannabidiol), specialty biotechnology companies are creating novel new formulations of the chemical compound to capitalize on the titanic growth expected in the cannabis-derived pharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets.

Global medical marijuana market expected to exceed $55 billion by 2025
Global nutraceuticals market projected to surpass $319 billion by 2023
CBD pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies poised to reap huge rewards
Diverse CBD product lines provide competitive advantages

Cannabinoids have been used for medicinal purposes for millennia, but it wasn’t until the discovery of the human endocannabinoid system in the 1990s that scientists began to comprehend their importance in healing and homeostasis. The identification of human cannabinoid receptors opened the floodgates to new cannabis-based medications. Increased understanding of the endocannabinoid system sparked further scientific research and led to the realization that cannabinoids impact a much wider range of physiological functions than previously realized. Specialty biotechnology companies soon blossomed and now these companies research and develop wide-ranging novel new drug candidates to improve and extend patients’ lives, creating unique medicines to treat multiple maladies and answer unmet medical needs. These pioneering biotech companies are committed to developing cannabis-based pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals delivered with unparalleled safety and new-found efficacy. At the vanguard of this surge in cannabinoid therapeutics, Earth Science Tech, Inc. (OTC: ETST) (ETST Profile) has taken another major step in its mission to become a global leader in the research, development and sale of hemp-derived, CBD–based pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and dietary supplements. The company’s recent decision to uplist on the OTCQB exchange will likely increase visibility and liquidity, and its comprehensive strategy of scientific development combined with robust retail creates a unique opportunity in the burgeoning medical cannabis markets. Other companies vying for position in these lucrative markets include CV Sciences, Inc. (OTC: CVSI), Axim Biotechnologies, Inc. (OTC: AXIM), GB Sciences, Inc. (OTC: GBLX) and Vitality Biopharma (OTC: VBIO).

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Massive Markets

Little wonder that cannabis biotech companies are operating at full throttle. The global medical marijuana market is anticipated to exceed $55 billion by 2025 and, to meet increasing consumer demand, hemp-based nutraceuticals are rapidly gaining significant traction in a global nutraceuticals market projected to surpass $319 billion within the next five years. These eye-popping projections bode well for diversified cannabis biotech companies. CBD pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals are the fastest growing sectors in the legal cannabis markets and the sector itself is among the fastest growing in all the markets. With multiple clinical research studies suggesting that CBD based pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals have the potential to treat arthritis, MS, chronic pain, depression, epilepsy and a myriad of other illnesses and maladies, the prodigious market projections might even be underestimated.

Another Milestone

Seizing on the immense market opportunity and validating efficacy through scientific processes, Earth Science Tech, Inc. (OTC: ETST) is intent on becoming a global leader in the research, development and sale of hemp-derived, CBD-based pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and dietary supplements. The company has racked up a succession of achievements since inception and its latest announcement establishes another milestone in its march toward global recognition. The company just issued a press release confirming that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the company’s Form 10 Registration Statement and Earth Sciences has officially up-listed to an OTCQB fully reporting company as of Sept. 10. The higher standards of the OTCQB markets provide a strong baseline for transparency, as well as the technology and regulations to enhance both access to information and trading experiences for investors. “Historically, up-listing to the OTCQB and being fully reporting has resulted in greater liquidity and awareness. We are committed to the higher level of corporate and financial disclosures required as an OTCQB fully reporting company, demonstrating our commitment to our loyal shareholders,” stated ETST’s President, Director and Chairman Nickolas S. Tabraue.

Eyes on the Prize

Grounded in science, ETST still understands that sales are essential for continued success. Earth Science aggressively markets and sells the highest-available quality and purity full spectrum hemp oil containing CBD. The company’s products are formulated using superior supercritical CO2 cold liquid extraction, where the cannabinoids are kept at the rawest state possible to maintain essential therapeutic properties. Earth Science’s CBD products are marketed through multiple venues including a national group of independent distributors representing grocery and convenience stores, a national association of buying groups and trade organizations reaching up to 90,000 retail outlets, health food giant Karmavore Superfoods, international supplement distributor Forzagen, innumerable vape and e-liquid smoke shops, and online.

The company has four distinct, wholly owned subsidiaries:

Cannabis Therapeutics, Inc., (CTI) is developing an array of cannabinoid-based pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.
Kannabidioid, Inc., manufactures and distributes vapes/e-liquids and gummy edibles to vape and smoke shops.
Earth Science Pharmaceutical, Inc., (ESP) manufactures low-cost medical devices and vaccines for protection against sexually-transmitted infections.
Earth Science Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization formed to accept grants and donations to conduct further studies and help donate CBD products to those in need.

Cannabis Therapeutics is deeply invested in research and development to explore and harness the medicinal power of cannabidiol. Over 113 cannabinoids have been isolated from the cannabis plant, many obscure and only in trace amounts, but CBD, for which Cannabis Therapeutics has a provisional application patent, is the most promising of all. CTI’s mission is to develop proprietary cannabinoid-based nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical products using Earth Science Tech’s existing cannabis CBD patent and IP, as well as expected future technologies.

The company recently updated its report on research progress on two new cannabinoid-based pharmaceutical drugs, which are unique CBD formulated products – a neuron protector and a breast protector. Earlier studies by DV Biologics, a leading biological company, confirmed ETST high-grade hemp CBD oil deterred the formation of reactive oxygen species and cell death in human brain cells in vitro and may serve as a neuroprotectant to mitigate neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. With strong initial evidence that CBD contains anti-breast cancer properties, Earth Sciences also launched the development of proprietary prophylactic therapies to prevent breast cancer, and a treatment to help women with aggressive breast cancer. The company is very bullish on these CBD formulas.

The R&D work in progress at the prestigious laboratory, Centre De Développement Bioalimentaire Du Québec (CDBQ), has been exceptionally promising. CDBQ is highly experienced and able to utilize the most effective and economical solutions to develop products with the best efficacy and price-to-quality-to-market ratios. CDBQ is meticulously finalizing formulations that will include natural protective agents to assure long shelf life of the CBD formula.

The third CBD formula is a revolutionary superfood with unique organoleptic properties never seen on the market. Formulated from a mix of hemp oil and other vegetal oils, and enriched with a highly potent antioxidant, this product is designed to improve antioxidant ingestion. Earth Science developed this novel formula in collaboration with experts that successfully developed multiple products for some of the largest players in the food industry.

Not a One-trick Pony

Earth Science’s up-listing announcement is only the latest in a succession of successful advancements the company has made since its genesis. Last year’s achievements verify that. In addition to talented and experienced leadership, the company’s success lies in the broad diversification of products, joint ventures, IPs and initiatives. Beyond the company’s multiple CBD-based initiatives and ventures, Earth Science’s medical device subsidiary Earth Science Pharmaceutical is making significant strides in the development of low-cost, noninvasive diagnostic tools, medical devices, testing processes and vaccines for sexually transmitted infections and/or diseases. The company’s first medical device, MSN-2, is a home kit designed for the detection of STIs, such as chlamydia, from a self-obtained gynecological specimen. ESP is working to develop and bring to market medical devices and vaccines that meet the specific needs of women.

Others Vying for Position

CV Sciences, Inc. (OTC: CVSI) focuses on the drug development, marketing and sale of products containing cannabidiol as the active pharmaceutical ingredient, and is engaged in the sale of CBD as well. The company operates two distinct business segments: a drug development division focused on developing and commercializing novel therapeutics utilizing synthetic CBD; and a consumer product division centered in the manufacturing, marketing and sale of plant-based CBD products to a range of market sectors.

Axim Biotechnologies, Inc. (OTC: AXIM) researches, develops and produces cannabis-based pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic products. The company has several products developed or in developmental stage for the treatment and/or prevention of multiple conditions and symptoms. Axim’s flagship products include a CBD-based, controlled-release chewing gum, another gum containing 50 mg of CBD undergoing clinical trials in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, and a combination CBD/tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) gum that will undergo clinical trials for the treatment of pain and spasticity associated with MS.

GB Sciences, Inc. (OTC: GBLX) is a diverse cannabis company focused on standardized cultivation and production methods, as well as biopharmaceutical research and development. The company’s goal is to create safe, standardized, pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoid therapies that target a variety of medical conditions. Company growth strategy is two-pronged — biomedical research for the development of cannabis-based therapies and the recreational market for cannabis in Nevada.

Vitality Biopharma (OTC: VBIO) is focused on the use of cannabinoids for the treatment of serious neurological and inflammatory disorders. The company has developed cannabinoid prodrugs, known as cannabosides, which upon ingestion may enable selective delivery of THC and CBD to the gastrointestinal tract. Vitality has filed intellectual property applications and is seeking global patent protection for prodrugs of THC, CB, and CBDV, as well as for its proprietary prodrug biosynthesis platform utilizing enzymatic glycosylation.

The Takeaway

As the list of curative applications continues to grow, there’s no longer any doubt about the therapeutic efficacy of cannabidiol. Employing that same certitude for impending CBD market growth has the potential to create a profit bonanza in strategically positioned portfolios.

For more information on Earth Science Tech, visit Earth Science Tech, Inc. (OTC: ETST)

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.

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Latest Farm Bill Developments Hold Out Hope for Hemp Farmers

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: After years of wrangling, the U.S. Congress stands on the verge of legalizing the cultivation of industrial hemp.

Hemp is a variety of the cannabis sativa plant that doesn’t generate a psychoactive effect.
Traditionally used to produce cloth and rope, hemp can also now be used in wellness products and food.
Competing legislations by the House and Senate are being aligned with an anticipated September 30 deadline.
The legalization of hemp has cross-party support and appears likely to pass.

The expected change in U.S. law will be beneficial for companies such as Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTC: MCOA) (MCOA Profile), which is already invested in industrial hemp and support for hemp growers. Across the border, Canopy Growth Corp. (NYSE: CGC) has established acres of Canadian hemp cultivation and gained financial backing that would support huge growth. Aurora Cannabis, Inc. (OTCQX: ACBFF) has also received substantial funding in the past few months, which will help its ongoing expansion effort. Hemp cultivation will provide plentiful CBD to be used by companies such as CV Sciences, Inc. (OTC: CVSI) as an ingredient in a wide and growing range of health and wellness products. All this growth is aided by support companies such as Terra Tech Corp. (OTC: TRTC), which provides equipment for cannabis cultivators.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Hemp: Caught Between Politics and Business

Industrial hemp is a crop with a strange history in the United States. For centuries, it was used to produce products such as ropes and sails, playing an integral part in the economy. This ended in the twentieth century when hemp was caught up in a broad ban on the cannabis family of plants, despite the fact that hemp itself is not usable as a recreational drug. Now its tentative return depends upon the outcome of a far broader agricultural bill.

Because it doesn’t share the psychoactive properties of marijuana, hemp has potential to be regulated and grown separately. Early tests in restoring this industry have produced significant profits for farmers. If the political will can be found to change its status, it could create great opportunities for businesses and their suppliers.

Hemp Cultivation Project in the United States

Several companies, including Marijuana Company of America (OTC: MCOA), are already growing hemp in the United States with their Scio, Oregon Cultivation Project, in conjunction with their joint venture partner Global Hemp Group Inc. (CSE: GHG) (OTC: GBHPF) (FRANKFURT: GHG).

Under their high-yielding CBD hemp cultivation projects, the two joint venture partners have formed Covered Bridge Acres, LTD. The key to the project was the acquisition of a 109-acre agricultural property in Scio, Oregon, with a history of hemp cultivation over the past few years. In July 2018, 40,000 hemp clones were planted on the property for Cannabidiol (CBD) propagation on approximately 33 acres of the property.

MCOA and GHG are now in the process of evaluating different harvesting, drying, storage and processing strategies in preparation of an early October harvest. The joint venture partners are also in negotiations with guaranteed offtake agreement offers and are considering strategies involved with selling the attained biomass from harvest in bulk.

When Is a Drug Not a Drug?

Hemp is one of a range of different cannabis plants. Unlike the versions smoked by recreational users, it doesn’t contain significant quantities of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical that gets smokers high. It does contain the active ingredient cannabidiol (CBD), which has been widely reported to have medicinal value — reports that now have been substantiated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Importantly, hemp also contains fibers that can be used for a wide range of purposes.

In the twentieth century, cannabis plants were banned as the U.S. government and others worldwide cracked down on drug use. Though hemp doesn’t get drug users high, the governments apparently banned the cannabis plant because of the difficulty of distinguishing between the plant varieties. The decision to include hemp in a list of banned drugs was based on political expediency rather than science.

Fast forward to the twenty-first century and the rules surrounding hemp have started to change, allowing the creation of companies such as MCOA. Hemp has a huge number of potential uses, including the manufacture of cloth and paper and the processing of food. Under licenses designed to cater to research and the medical market, farmers have begun growing industrial hemp with expectations of earning up to 150 times as much money per acre of land as they would growing alfalfa.

The Great Agricultural Debate

Farm bills are an important part of how the U.S. government establishes policy around food and agricultural production and how that policy is enshrined in law. Roughly every five years, Congress creates a bill covering a wide range of agricultural topics. With its huge financial implications and many different political angles, passing the bill can be a messy business.

Following a pilot research program for hemp growers created in the 2014 Farm Bill, the current Farm Bill includes the legalization of industrial hemp. There’s a lot at stake for hemp growers as well as those hoping to enter and establish a foothold in the industry. The U.S. Hemp Roundtable has gone so far as to hire attorney Daniel Cameron, an experienced Washington legal counsel, to lead its advocacy on the bill.

The House and Senate have both passed versions of the 2018 Farm Bill that support the legalization of the hemp industry without drug enforcement oversight. On Sept. 5, the first bicameral conference committee on this Farm Bill began meeting in an attempt to resolve competing elements between the two bills, with a deadline to present the president with an agreed-on final version of the bill by the end of the month.

The good news for companies such as MCOA is that the hemp element of the Farm Bill has cross-party support. Hemp’s potential to revive the fortunes of American farmers makes it a potential vote-winner for rural politicians nervously eyeing up the polls. The bad news is that in a bill affecting everything from agricultural subsidies to environmental conservation to food stamps, there’s plenty for politicians to disagree over.

Hemp Products

Sail cloth and rigging were enough to make hemp profitable in the eighteenth century, but the world has changed since then. So what sort of products can the world expect to see from a resurgent hemp market?

Many products will undoubtedly be targeted towards the health and wellness market, using CBD as an active ingredient. A leading example of these types of products is MCOA’s hempSMART line, including hempSMART Brain, which is developed to help with alertness and concentration; hempSMART Pain Capsules and Pain Cream, formulated to be an effective product combination for the temporary relief of minor pain associated with physical activity; hempSMART Full Spectrum Drops; and hempSMART Face, a nourishing facial moisturizer infused with Ayurvedic herbs and botancials.

A Growing Industry

Many companies already engaged in the cannabis market are exploring ways they may be able to benefit from the growing popularity of hemp. Canopy Growth Corp. (NYSE: CGC), one of Canada’s foremost cannabis companies, has a hemp division with expertise in this area and acres of hemp production already under way. The company also recently received a $4 billion investment from Constellation Brands, a leading beverage company, to help it expand within the fast-growing cannabis market. With such levels of investment, Canopy Growth will be in a strong position to increase production as the market for hemp products grows.

The medical use of CBD is a major area of interest for Aurora Cannabis, Inc. (OTCQX: ACBFF), which is developing different strains of cannabis to benefit from their different medical properties. Like Canopy Growth, Aurora has an eye to expansion while the market is still young. Its recent takeover of MedReleaf appears to be just one step in a far bigger plan. The company has just taken out a $150 million loan with the Bank of Montreal, betting on the power of a short-term financial boost to make it a market leader, more than capable of repaying the debt when the time comes.

Another company exploring the medical potential of CBD is CV Sciences, Inc. (OTC: CVSI). CV Sciences has a strong focus on research, with a division devoted to developing new drugs that use CBD as an active ingredient. Its consumer products division works through health care providers, health food shops and online sales to market CBD-based wellness products.

The increasing number of growers is good news for supporting companies such as Terra Tech Corp. (OTC: TRTC). Terra Tech produces growing systems — including moving tables and hydroponics — for cannabis farmers. These products are designed to increase the productivity of indoor cannabis cultivation, which is where a lot of CBD and marijuana plants are grown. The company’s environmentally friendly systems can reduce waste and thereby cut costs while also increasing productivity.

The anticipated changes in the U.S. laws governing hemp cultivation signal implications for a large number of companies in the wider cannabis sector as well. If the Farm Bill gets through Congress as expected this month, it could open up a sea change in agricultural production and U.S. wellness industry products.

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

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CBD Contributes to Continued Growth for Nutraceutical, Pharmaceutical and Cannabis Key Players

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Cannabis companies are seeing substantial growth, with the popularity of cannabidiol (CBD) playing a significant part in their positive outlook.

CBD is an active ingredient in cannabis.
It can provide health benefits without the psychotropic effects of other cannabis chemicals.
This has led to a growth in companies selling CBD treatments, sometimes alongside more conventional wellness products.

Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) (YGYI Profile) is one of these companies, having recently expanded its range of products to include CBD therapies for muscle pain, sleeplessness and mood improvement. GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) has created a CBD treatment for child-onset epilepsy and received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its sale as a medicinal product. Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) has also developed a cannabis-derived epilepsy treatment, even as it makes deals to expand its distribution network in Canada. Aphria, Inc. (OTC: APHQF) (TSX: APH) has seen a steady rise in profits based on its cannabis work and is now working with branding specialists to capitalize on its opportunities. Isodiol International, Inc. (OTC: ISOLF) (CSE: ISOL) is providing not only a range of CBD products but also a platform for patients to connect with doctors to help manage cannabis-based medical treatment.

Cannabis Growth Continues

The past few years have seen substantial growth in the cannabis industry. As the plant’s legalization spreads, an increasingly diverse range of businesses have appeared to fill the needs of a growing wellness market. From hydroponic supply companies to seed providers, the industry is expanding at a rapid pace, and at its heart are the cannabis companies themselves, several of which have seen their stocks soar.

One of the reasons for recent growth is the development of a market in cannabidiol (CBD) drugs and wellness products. One of the active ingredients in cannabis, CBD is being used in a wide range of treatments to help with everything from epilepsy to mental alertness. A growing body of research and increasing range of uses have seen CBD oil become a significant part of the cannabis market, distinct from recreational marijuana. For companies invested in CBD, this trend is providing a fresh surge of growth.

The Power of Cannabidiol

A growing number of companies are producing and supplying CBD products — not just specialist firms, but other suppliers such as lifestyle company Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI). So what’s the fuss about?

CBD is one of the most prominent active ingredients in cannabis plants. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not cause users to get high, but it can have other effects on the body and mind. Those beneficial effects have led to CBD’s rising popularity for use in a variety of medicines and wellness products as researchers have learned more about it.

The distinction between CBD and THC is an important one. In some jurisdictions, industrial hemp, a type of cannabis plant that includes CBD but non-noteworthy amounts of THC, can be grown in circumstances where marijuana can’t. The legality of CBD products is different from that of cannabis cultivation itself in some places. Even in places where cannabis is legal for both medical and recreational uses, CBD is preferable to many health-conscious consumers who want its health effects without getting high.

It’s this potential that has drawn companies such as Youngevity to CBD. This market is expected to see tremendous growth based on forecasts for a range of uses beyond oils, such as CBD’s inclusion in food, drink, cosmetics and emerging health products. That’s a pretty impressive reason for companies to take an interest in CBD, whether they’re experienced cannabis insiders or newcomers such as Youngevity.

Wider Market Growth

Medical cannabis is now legal in more than half of North America. Legal recreational use has been enacted within nine states and the District of Columbia in the United States, and it will premiere nationwide in Canada in October. The cannabis plant’s ardent fan base is increasing public awareness and a growing acceptance of the potential benefits of products derived from it. Companies are moving to make the most of the opportunity as a previously frowned-on and illegal industry shifts into the mainstream.

This means that Youngevity’s cannabis-derived products will benefit from a wave of public awareness, publicity and market growth. The global value of this market was estimated at $7.7 billion in 2017, and it’s been predicted to reach $34.1 billion by 2021.

That growing market means that there’s now space for CBD products both on the shelves of high street stores and in the inventory of companies such as Youngevity.

Youngevity’s first entry into this market is the HempFX™ product line, introduced at the company’s 2018 convention in San Diego, Calif. A set of three distinct hemp-derived CBD oil products under the HempFX banner use organically grown products in proprietary formulas to help users through their day. The products include Soothe™, a blend of botanicals designed to relieve muscles by calming aches and pains; Uplift™, which combines CBD with St. John’s Wort to improve cognitive performance and mood; and Relax™, which combines CBD with a variety of herbs and melatonin to bring relaxation and a better night’s sleep.

This diverse range of uses shows why CBD is becoming so popular. By applying it to a variety of wellness issues, companies are able to market their products to a broad range of consumers, increasing sales and awareness.

Youngevity CEO Steve Wallach highlighted the strong potential link between CBD and broader trends in healthy living. “We firmly believe in plant-based nutrition, and hemp-derived (CBD) oil perfectly complements our product development philosophy. Entering this market, which is growing almost exponentially, also should offer a tremendous advantage to our many distributors around the world,” he stated in the company’s news release announcing the HempFX line.

The Power of Existing Pipelines

Wallach’s reference to distributors highlights why a company such as Youngevity is so well-positioned to benefit from the surge in CBD. New companies set up to cater to the CBD market have to build their sales pipelines from scratch, whereas established operators already have those pipelines in place. Youngevity’s massive network of direct sellers means that it has an immediate way of getting new products into the hands of consumers. Experience derived from 21 years of development has provided the company with the tools it needs to carve out its place in the market.

Being on-brand is important to such a move. Not just any company can jump into CBD and expect customers and distributors to come along with it. But according to Wallach, this isn’t a problem for Youngevity.

“Hemp-derived cannabidiol aligns with what we do very well,” he stated. “We’ve taken what we know about essential nutrients, along with decades of knowledge specializing in natural, plant-based nutrition and their most beneficial nutrients, and put that knowledge to work to develop high-end cannabidiol products.”

More Companies Take Up CBD

While CBD is often used in over-the-counter medicines and wellness products, it is also finding use in prescription medicines. GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) has created a CBD-based medicine to tackle child-onset epilepsy, a condition that can make a normal life almost unmanageable for the children it affects. This treatment has been approved by the FDA, making it the first cannabis plant-based prescription medicine to be legalized by the U.S. federal government (once the Drug Enforcement Administration reclassifies CBD, as expected this month in response to the FDA’s decision).

A global leader in the medical cannabis market, Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) works in research, cultivation, processing and distribution, providing cannabis extracts and flowers to patients, researchers and medical professionals on five continents. As Canada prepares for growth in the cannabis market following legalization, the company has made deals with Canadian partners to sell its products into that market. It has also developed a CBD and THC oil that has shown promising results in tackling drug-resistant epilepsy.

One of the more successful companies in the cannabis sector, Aphria, Inc. (OTC: APHQF) (TSX: APH) saw its profits and revenues rise steadily through 2016 and 2017. Aphria recently signed a letter of intent to form a joint venture with Perennial, Inc., in which the companies will collaborate on developing products for the Canadian cannabis market. Perennial’s expertise in strategic brand development will help Aphria reach more customers with its leading cannabis-based products, expanding its presence in one of the world’s most important cannabis markets.

Isodiol International, Inc. (OTC: ISOLF) (CSE: ISOL) is focused on CBD product development, with a range of offerings that includes skin cream, pain management and help with sleeping. It has recently expanded beyond its core products into support for those using cannabis-derived medicines through the creation of ISOCare. This secure platform will help to connect patients, their family doctors and physicians working with cannabis to ensure that patients receive the best possible longitudinal care.

The health benefits of cannabis and its derivatives are increasingly widely recognized. With huge potential for growth over the next few years, CBD and cannabis are drawing customers and companies like never before.

For more information on Marijuana Company of America, visit Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI)

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CannabisNewsBreaks – Barron’s Article Highlights Huge Upside Potential of Cannabis Stocks

A recent Barron’s article by Steve Garmhausen, titled ‘Pot Stocks Can’t Be Ignored’, puts a spotlight on the strong performance of marijuana stocks through the first three-quarters of 2018. As the article notes, “Marijuana stocks have been an investor darling this year, with even hedge fund billionaire Leon Cooperman betting his own money in the sector.” The most recent buying frenzy in the space came on the heels of a late-August report that alcoholic beverage giant Diageo (NYSE: DEO) was in talks to invest in or partner with at least three Canadian cannabis companies. Tilray (NASDAQ: TLRY), one of the largest and most sophisticated producers of premium medical cannabis in the world, saw its shares skyrocket from $17 at its July IPO to a high of more than $62 earlier this week. Likewise, Cronos (NASDAQ: CRON), which commenced trading on the Nasdaq in February, rose from a mid-August low of $5.65 to a 52-week high of $12.89 in the wake of the Diageo news. “This is like bitcoin levels, the kind of move Tilray is making,” cannabis investor Jason Spatafora told MarketWatch. “The market is completely irrational.”

To view the full article, visit http://cnw.fm/a4kHH

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Barron’s is America’s premier financial magazine. It provides in-depth analysis and commentary on the markets, updated every business day online. For more information, visit www.Barrons.com

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Canada Leads the Way as North America Embraces a Diverse Cannabis and Hemp Industry

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: The pending legalization of recreational cannabis and the extraction of cannabinoids from hemp in Canada is only one in a series of changes bringing expectations of new growth to these industries.

Legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada is set to establish an industry worth billions of dollars every year.
American companies can make the most of this change through cross-border partnerships and Canadian subsidiaries.
Industrial hemp offers another option for companies in this sector, producing and extracting cannabinoids, including CBD and other cannabinoids, from the flowers and leaves will become legal on October 17, 2018.

Marijuana Company of America Inc. (OTC: MCOA) (MCOA Profile) is making the most of these changes, developing CBD products and industrial hemp cultivation processes alongside its Canadian partner, Global Hemp Group Inc. (CSE: GHG) (OTC: GBHPF). Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG) has acquired Sunlight Supplies to give it a larger hold in the hydroponic cultivation market. GrowGeneration Corporation (OTC: GRWG) is also specializing in hydroponics, which it expects to become a $4.5 billion industry. Micron Waste Technologies, Inc. (OTC: MICWF) (CSE: MWM) is creating a specialist onsite waste management system for cannabis farmers. And as hemp cultivation appears to be on the cusp of expansion, Future Farm Technologies (OTC: FFRMF) (CSE: FFT) is producing millions of seeds with which to get farmers started.

New Laws and New Crops

The legalization of recreational use cannabinoids in Canada is set to make waves in the market this year. As the first G7 country to legalize recreational cannabis on a national scale, Canada is leading the world in taking this lucrative trade out of the hands of criminal gangs and making it part of the legitimate economy. With the global cannabis market to reach a value of $57 billion by 2027, Canada provides a great opportunity for companies to capture a piece of this rapidly emerging market.

With sales worth close to $6 billion, the Canadian cannabinoid industry has plenty of potential. It’s drawing the attention of big business, with Corona’s parent company investing billions in a cannabis beverage partnership. It is also opening a new market for companies in the related industrial hemp industry. On October 17, 2018, farmers who hold valid hemp cultivation licenses will be allowed to begin to “harvest and store flowering heads, leaves and branches of the industrial hemp plants cultivated during the 2018 growing season.” Companies will now also be able to transport, sell, import and export any part of the industrial hemp plant legally. This allows those involved in the industry to take advantage of an entirely new product market utilizing hemp-derived cannabinoids. For companies already invested in this sector, changes in Canada may open the way for a vast increase in revenues.

The Canadian Cannabis Market

It’s easy to see the appeal of the Canadian hemp and cannabis markets for the companies moving into those markets, such as Marijuana Company of America (OTC: MCOA). Estimates by Statistics Canada indicate that Canadians spent around $5.5 billion on cannabinoids in 2017. As many commentators have pointed out, this places cannabinoid-based product potential in the market on par with alcohol for value to Canadian businesses, and close to the total spent on wine each year.

With around 450,000 people using hemp and cannabis products each day in Canada, this promises to be a stable market with a steady stream of income. It’s one on which businesses can reliably build. And it’s not just about the sale of smokable cannabis. There’s potential for hemp and cannabis-based food and drink, as well as all the paraphernalia used in consumption and the supporting functions needed by the industry and retailers.

Hemp is used in a growing list of products, including dietary supplements and skin products, and even clothing and accessories. Overall, hemp is known to have more than 25,000 possible applications. And Marijuana Business Daily reported that the U.S. market for hemp-derived CBD hit $291 million last year and is projected to explode to $1.65 billion by 2021.

Cross-Border Work

The existence of a government regulatory framework for the medical cannabis industry has made it easier for companies to prepare for full legalization in Canada. Companies, such as MCOA with its joint venture partner Global Hemp Group Inc., are already cultivating industrial hemp and have production in place that can be increased to cater to a growing market.

Though MCOA is an American company, it has gained a solid foothold in Canadian hemp cultivation through a partnership with Global Hemp Group, a Canadian public company. The companies have established two agricultural projects together — one of them in New Brunswick and the other south of the border in Oregon. Both sites are being used to develop better techniques for growing industrial hemp.

At the New Brunswick site, the work is being supported by government research investment to help advance the local hemp industry. Aided by drone technology, the companies are gathering data on the impact of pests on hemp production, ways of correcting soil acidity for better growth, and the impact of nitrogen fertilizers. The resulting crops will provide materials for MCOA’s branded hempSMART™ products as well as a rich harvest of data.

In Oregon, the focus is on growing hemp strains with a high yield of cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is one of the active chemicals in cannabis that does not get users high, unlike marijuana’s tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), though CBD still can be used for a variety of medicinal uses. Using a mixture of seeded and cloned plants, staff at the Oregon facility are growing high-CBD-yielding crops while gathering data on their progress.

The Potential of Hemp

MCOA’s investment in industrial hemp means that the company may be set to benefit from a revival in this long-suppressed superior crop as well as the changing U.S. and Canadian laws. A century ago, hemp fiber was used in the production of rope and cloth. Laws aimed at outlawing marijuana killed the industry, but as the interest in other strains of cannabis has grown in recent years, so too has attention on hemp.

In the United States, the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill is set to strike hemp from the definition of “marijuana” under the Controlled Substance Act. This would mean the revival of an industrial agricultural crop that has been repressed for almost 100 years. Language within the Farm Bill could ease regulations for CBD companies such as MCOA by allowing extracts from the hemp plant to now become legalized.

Hemp’s financial potential now lies in its use as a source of CBD oil and other cannabinoids such as CBC, CBN and CBG. The industrial applications of hemp in areas such as textiles, bio-composites and building materials will become increasingly viable as more biomass is generated in the cultivation of hemp to produce cannabinoids.

CBD has become a hot ingredient in medicine and wellness products in recent years, offering great potential for farmers. Even with the growth of hemp tightly restricted, farmers in the United States have predicted revenues of as much as $90,000 per acre from producing hemp oil. For struggling farmers, that compares favorably with the $600 per acre they can get for alfalfa and other traditional and specialty crops. CBD is the oil that goes into MCOA’s hempSMART products. There are currently less than 300,000 acres of hemp grown worldwide, compared to traditional crops such as wheat and corn, with hundreds of millions of acres of each being grown. With the potential disruptive applications for hemp from industrial to medicinal, it will ultimately compete with traditional crops as it is adopted by many sectors of the economy.

In addition, hemp has the advantage of being good for the environment as well as for business. It uses less water than many other crops, needs little in the way of pesticides and herbicides, sequesters significant carbon dioxide and can be rotated with other crops to improve the fertility of fields. Using hemp fibers for paper may reduce the number of trees chopped down, thereby protecting woodland and maintaining carbon dioxide at healthy levels.

A Growing Industry of Growing Things

The spread of cannabis legalization, alongside the increasingly well-recognized potential of hemp, is spurring growth for a number of companies.

Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG) is one of several companies providing the support services that cannabis companies need. It recently expanded by acquiring Sunlight Supply, Inc., the United States’ foremost distributor of hydroponic equipment. Hydroponics is fundamental to growing cannabis in indoor facilities, which are often more effective and secure than outdoor cultivation. The $450 million deal will double the company’s share of the market in cannabis growing equipment.

GrowGeneration Corporation (OTC: GRWG) also provides equipment needed by cannabis growers in the form of hydroponic systems, nutrients and materials for hydroponic cultivation. The growth of the legal cannabis market in North America caused an 80 percent increase in the company’s sales in 2017. GrowGeneration predicts that this continuing market growth will turn hydroponics into a $4.5 billion industry in the United States alone by 2020. To make the most of this growth, GrowGeneration has acquired several smaller companies.

Like most industries, cannabis cultivation produces waste. Micron Waste Technologies, Inc. (OTC: MICWF) (CSE: MWM) is developing specialist technology to deal with this concern. A producer of onsite waste management systems, Micron’s products create clean water out of organic waste. With cannabis cultivation growing, the company is targeting this sector with a purpose-built cannabis waste digester. It even ran a competition with a $2,000 prize for the person who came up with the best name for the waste digester, a move that helped to publicize cannabis cultivation.

Future Farm Technologies (OTC: FFRMF) (CSE: FFT) provides another of the pieces of specialist equipment needed for indoor cultivation: lighting. The company makes indoor lighting and vertical farming setups suitable for cannabis cultivation. Future Farm is also preparing for the expansion of the hemp market in the United States by producing millions of hemp seeds ready to be sold to farmers. If expected changes to the federal law in the United States make it easier for farmers to cultivate hemp, then the company will be in a position to equip new entrants to the market, letting them quickly get in on a valuable cash crop.

Between the revival of hemp and legal changes, the cannabis sector is growing. It’s an increasingly diverse industry, covering medical and recreational cannabis, industrial hemp and CBD food products. Canada now provides an ideal area for companies to build up their presence in the industry, but the potential for growth is international.

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

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As Senate Brings Legal Change, Hemp Offers Hope for American Farmers

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: The hemp industry is growing in North America and appears to be set for further expansion thanks to legislation making its way through the U.S. Senate.

Hemp is a cultivar of the cannabis sativa plant that lacks the active drug ingredient that makes marijuana users high.
It can be used to produce medicinal CBD oil as well as fibers for rope, paper and canvas.
Even in difficult growing conditions, hemp can provide higher profits than many other crops.
It has a lower environmental impact thanks to low water consumption and little need for chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTC: MCOA) (MCOA Profile) has hemp already growing at cultivation sites in Canada and the United States, experimenting with improved strains and cultivation techniques. As a provider of hydroponic equipment, Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG) is benefiting from the growing cannabis industry and will likely see increased sales thanks to a recent acquisition. Another provider of hydroponics, GrowGeneration Corporation (OTC: GRWG), has already seen a dramatic increase in sales thanks to acquisitions and the rise of cannabis. Micron Waste Technologies, Inc. (OTC: MICWF) (CSE: MWM) is launching specialist waste treatment equipment for cannabis growers. And as federal hemp legislation comes closer to passage, Future Farm Technologies (OTC: FFRMF) (CSE: FFT) is producing millions of hemp seeds ready to be planted by farmers in Maine.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Bringing Hemp Back

The past decade has seen a rush to embrace legal cannabis in North America. In the United States, 31 of the 50 states now allow its use for medicinal purposes while another 15 allow products derived from cannabis but with restrictions on their active chemicals. Nine states also allow the sale and use of recreational cannabis.

These changes have largely overlooked an important class of cannabis: hemp. This variety of the cannabis sativa plant does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient that is the basis of marijuana’s recreational appeal. Historically used in making rope and fabric, hemp became illegal alongside other forms of cannabis because there was no way to distinguish between them. But with new ways to provide that differentiation, industrial hemp appears to be on the cusp of returning to widespread agricultural use in the United States.

The Hemp Revival

Changes in legislation have already allowed a number of companies, including Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTC: MCOA), to start growing hemp in the United States and Canada. But as with so much else about cannabis production, this has been somewhat hampered by restrictions at the federal level. Now a change appears to be forthcoming.

In 2014, the Farm Bill allowed farmers to start growing hemp for research purposes. Hemp farming quickly took off, reaching 25,713 acres of harvested land in 2017. And current efforts are afoot to make the crop fully legal.

This isn’t just a publicity-grabbing move from the liberal left. A bill put before Congress by Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky aims to make hemp cultivation legal. It has cross-party support and looks likely to pass despite the partisan divides in Washington. If it does, the bill will allow companies such as MCOA to expand their efforts and may encourage more farmers to grow hemp.

The financial potential of a hemp crop is staggering. The plants can currently be used to produce cannabidiol (CBD) oil, which is used in medicines and wellness products such as those sold by MCOA. Some farmers are expecting revenues of $90,000 per acre for the oil, compared with only $600 per acre for alfalfa, which is currently one of the most popular crops in the United States.

There’s even more profit to be made from a properly developed hemp industry. Given full legalization, a revival of such ancillary industries could allow farmers to profit from both CBD oil and what is currently a waste product once the plant is processed, reviving the hemp fiber industry after nearly a century.

A Better Crop for the Environment

One of the great advantages of hemp is that it’s easier to grow in dry climates than many other crops. Though it needs more water than other crops during the first few weeks of growth, hemp subsequently needs less water and is less vulnerable to drought. This makes it an ideal crop for farmers in arid environments, such as parts of the western United States, as well as those currently facing the impact of climate change.

Reduced water consumption is one of several factors that make hemp an environmentally friendly crop. Growing hemp doesn’t require pesticides and herbicides, meaning that the soil can be left clean and given a chance to recover between other crops. Hemp can also be used instead of trees to produce paper fibers, thus saving trees and reducing the geographical footprint of paper production.

Hemp is a fast-growing plant, capable of growing up to 20 feet in 100 days, allowing farmers to potentially grow a substantial crop in a relatively small area, even in soil conditions where other plants might struggle to survive. With legalization expected with the passing of the Farm Bill, hemp cultivation may grow beyond the small crop levels currently established by companies such as MCOA. An increasing number of farmers are already planting hemp. Once the red tape is eliminated, more will surely jump on board this bandwagon.

Getting Ahead of a Growing Industry

This change is good news for MCOA and its existing hemp cultivation projects. Legal change will give the company credibility as an early adopter in a suddenly expanding field, with the advantages in technique that experience brings.

One of the company’s projects is the continued development of Hemp Agro-Industrial Zone (HAIZ) in New Brunswick, Canada, with its partner Global Hemp Group (CSE: GHG). There, MCOA and GHG have been working with the government to explore different approaches to hemp cultivation and encourage the industry in the region. Supported by a government grant, MCOA and GHG have been conducting experiments that study and evaluate soil conditions and pest problems that could affect hemp crops. Drones allow researchers to accurately assess the success of crops and gain a better understanding of what makes hemp grow best.

More recently, the company has also established a hemp cultivation site in the state of Oregon in another joint venture project with GHG. This 109-acre site features both indoor and outdoor cultivation that allows the company to maintain a steady supply of plants throughout the year.

At the Oregon facility, MCOA and GHG are cultivating hemp varieties with particularly strong yields of CBD. This active ingredient in hemp is being used in a growing variety of medical and wellness products, with applications including increased alertness, the control of epilepsy and pain management. By collecting and analyzing data on hemp strains to augment CBD development, MCOA hopes to establish better profits and wider availability for this important medicine.

Businesses Benefit from Hemp

The ascendance of hemp cultivation and the wider cannabis sector is bringing benefits for companies in supporting services. Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG) recently completed the acquisition of Sunlight Supply, Inc., the leading distributor of hydroponics products in the United States. This $450 million deal is the largest transaction Scotts has ever made and will double its sales to cannabis growers, who make extensive use of hydroponic equipment. The lawns and gardens specialist might not be growing cannabis, but as legalization spreads and the sector grows, the company certainly stands to profit from the plant.

Another provider of growing equipment, GrowGeneration Corporation (OTC: GRWG), is also set to benefit from an expanding sector. By selling hydroponic systems, nutrients and materials for hydroponic cultivation, the company has seen a steady increase in its profits. Its sales increased 80 percent in 2017, and it has acquired several smaller companies to ensure its growth. The company expects U.S. hydroponic sales to exceed $4.5 billion by 2020, thanks to exponential growth driven by the cannabis sector.

Micron Waste Technologies, Inc. (OTC: MICWF) (CSE: MWM) also supports cannabis cultivators but in a different way. The company provides onsite waste management systems that turn organic waste into clean water. Micron Waste has targeted marijuana cultivators as one of the markets for its products. To celebrate this growing market, the company recently ran a contest to name its specialist cannabis waste digester.

Another specialist in indoor growing equipment, Future Farm Technologies (OTC: FFRMF) (CSE: FFT) specializes in LED lighting and vertical farming solutions. Not content with providing supplies to the cannabis sector, the company has entered the market itself with a hemp farm in Maine. The farm is soon expected to provide over 15 million hemp seeds to farmers in the region, which will allow the growers to quickly increase hemp cultivation if the current Farm Bill passes into law.

After being banned for decades, industrial hemp is seeing a rapid rise in North America. It offers opportunities for farmers and suppliers of cultivation equipment. And perhaps most importantly, it offers an environmentally friendly crop for difficult growing conditions.

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

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Specific Therapeutic Benefits of Cannabidiol (CBD) Validated by FDA

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: In a landmark announcement, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a drug derived from pure cannabidiol (CBD), Epidiolex, to treat seizures associated with certain forms of severe epilepsy, setting the stage for huge changes in the world of cannabidiol (CBD).

FDA approval of a cannabis-based drug represents seismic political, legal and economic shifts
Approval likely will lead to more clinical research and further validation of CBD therapeutic efficacy
CBD market projected to explode to more than $2 billion in two years with 39 percent CAGR

What’s most transformative about this drug approval is that this is the first time the FDA — the governmental arbiter of safe and effective medicine in the United States — has approved any substance derived from the cannabis sativa plant and validated certain therapeutic benefits of cannabidiol. The FDA is, to some extent, endorsing what has been anecdotally accepted by the masses for millennia.

CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that can be extracted from the industrial hemp plant, is understandably generating worldwide interest from both the scientific and investment communities. A large part of CBD’s mass appeal is that it’s believed to aid with a broad range of wellness concerns. CBD is known to interact with the human endocannabinoid system, which is found throughout the body’s nervous system, organs, connective tissues, glands and immune system. Research indicates CBD may have the potential to treat a wide range of conditions such as anxiety, high blood pressure, skin issues and chronic pain. It’s being researched to treat Alzheimer’s, and one study even suggests CBD might be a useful addition when given with conventional antipsychotic medications in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Continued rigorous clinical research is being conducted to further confirm all the potential therapeutic benefits that may be found in this cannabinoid extract. In the meantime, the mass appeal of CBD remains unabated, and the market for CBD products continues to grow at an astounding rate. Committed to the legal hemp-derived CBD market, Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTC: MCOA) (MCOA Profile) provides consumers with pure, hemp plant-based CBD nutritional products through its global hempSMART™ brand and has initiated broad-ranging, innovative cultivation programs for legal, high-quality hemp. Others vying for position in the burgeoning CBD space include Isodiol International, Inc. (CSE: ISOL) (OTC: ISOLF) (FSE: LB6A.F), CV Sciences, Inc. (OTC: CVSI), PotNetwork Holdings, Inc. (OTC: POTN) and Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA).

The Boom Has Just Begun

Three years ago, in 2015, the hemp-derived CBD market racked up $90 million in sales. Last year that number reached $190 million in sales — and the boom has just begun. The Hemp Business Journal projects $2.1 billion in total CBD sales by 2020 and estimates that $450 million of that will come from hemp-based sources. The explosive demand projections are attributed to an increased public awareness of the wide-ranging potential health benefits of hemp CBD oil and advancements in cultivation, plus the convenience and reach of online retailing — all of which contribute to a global CBD oil market expected to grow at an eye-popping CAGR of 39.19 percent through 2021.

Hemp Focus

With an overarching focus on the cultivation, development and distribution of legal industrial hemp-derived products, Marijuana Company of America (OTC: MCOA) aims to capture an outsized share of growing worldwide demand. Pure hemp-based consumer nutritional products are at the core of this demand, and the company has developed a portfolio of ancillary hemp-centric businesses to vertically integrate hemp production and sales. Cultivation of high-quality hemp from portfolio companies feeds MCOA’s proprietary CBD-based formulations, dovetailing to produce the finest quality nutritional supplements on the market.

The unique company vision emanates from Donald Steinberg, MCOA’s CEO. A cannabis industry pioneer, he founded the first cannabinoid-centric company to trade on a U.S. stock market. His vast knowledge and industry experience give MCOA unparalleled insights into the machinations of the CBD markets and the vision to capitalize on industry opportunities in a market projected to exceed $2 billion in the coming years. In keeping with this ambitious strategy, Steinberg and his partner, Charlie Larsen, formed Marijuana Company of America as well its sister company, Canadian-based Global Hemp Group, Inc. (OTC: GBHPF), which is focused on the legal cultivation and processing of industrial hemp. MCOA continues to build an impressive portfolio of synergistic companies across the hemp spectrum. From farm to finished products, MCOA’s socially conscious strategy is to capitalize at each profit point and establish a significant footprint at multiple inflection points across the entire hemp value chain.

Hemp-Based Nutritionals

MCOA has worked to create a recognized and respected hempSMART product line that contains levels of clinically researched ingredients designed to exceed consumer expectations and support the body’s natural endocannabinoid system. To serve health-conscious consumers, hempSMART includes an array of proprietary nutritional products.

hempSMART Brain is a patent-pending formulation designed for optimal brain function support.
hempSMART Drops offer the highest concentration and potency of full-spectrum bioavailable CBD.
hempSMART Pain Capsules contain a blend of premium CBD and botanical supplements.
hempSMART Pain Cream is a proprietary formulation for relief from muscle and joint pain.
hempSMART Full Spectrum Pet Drops is a unique nutritional supplement designed for furry family members.
hempSMART Face is a topical face moisturizer that combines CBD oil with ayurvedic herbs and botanicals.

MCOA’s hempSMART goes through an exacting CO2 extraction process to ensure the highest quality in the company’s natural wellness product line. By combining these pure industrial hemp-based cannabinoids with some of nature’s most effective wellness ingredients, MCOA’s hempSMART products are poised to deliver optimally formulated wellness products to health-conscious consumers.

In a forward-thinking plan to expand retail distribution and capitalize on impulse buys in high-traffic stores, MCOA took a 25 percent equity stake in BeniHemp-branded CBD products. BeniHemp health-focused products include topicals, tinctures and edibles packaged in one-day, two-day and thirty-day supplies widely distributed to convenience stores, smoke shops, gas stations and small retail outlets.

A Growing Portfolio

In addition to the hempSMART and BeniHemp consumer products lines, MCOA continues to strategically assemble synergistic portfolio companies. In a joint venture with sister company Global Hemp Group, MCOA launched a 125-acre industrial hemp cultivation project in northeast New Brunswick, Canada. The project targets the promotion of hemp farming while providing year-round jobs in crop and finished product processing.

Also in conjunction with Global Hemp Group, MCOA is developing Covered Bridge Acres, an innovative high-yielding CBD hemp cultivation project in Oregon. The project utilizes both traditional outdoor cultivation and what will ultimately become more than 19,000 square feet of indoor greenhouses, which are slated to eventually supply the raw oil needed for the hempSMART CBD product line.

MCOA also took a 15 percent equity stake in MoneyTrac Technology, Inc., a subsidiary of Global Payout, Inc. (OTC: GOHE). MCOA made this investment to help establish and market MoneyTrac Technology as an alternative banking solution for the cannabis industry.

Others Vying for Position

Isodiol International, Inc. (CSE: ISOL) (OTC: ISOLF) (FSE: LB6A.F) grows and harvests hemp on an industrial scale then processes it to extract the cannabidiol for distribution. The company commercializes pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids, micro-encapsulations and nanotechnology for consumable and topical skin care products. Isodiol has announced plans to develop additional over-the-counter and pharmaceutical drugs, expand its phytoceutical portfolio and expand into Latin America, Asia and Europe.

CV Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB: CVSI) operates in two business segments. The company’s drug development division develops and commercializes novel therapeutics utilizing synthetic CBD. Its consumer product division manufactures, markets and sells plant-based CBD products to a range of market sectors. The company is also developing and pursuing FDA approval for drugs with specific indications utilizing cannabidiol as the active pharmaceutical ingredient.

Founded by MCOA CEO Donald Steinberg in 2009, Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA) was the first U.S.-traded CBD company. The company develops, distributes and sells hemp oil that contains naturally occurring cannabinoids, including CBD. The company sells its hemp-derived CBD products through a variety of distribution subsidiaries. The company was among the first to bring hemp-based CBD oil products to market in the United States and the first to receive federal government import approvals in Mexico, Paraguay and Brazil.

PotNetwork Holdings, Inc. (OTC: POTN) is a publicly traded company that acts as a holding company for its subsidiaries, First Capital Venture Co.; Diamond CBD, Inc.; and Sunrise Auto Mall, Inc. Diamond CBD focuses on the research, development and multinational marketing of hemp extracts that contain a broad range of cannabinoids and natural hemp derivatives. Diamond CBD’s team consists of hemp industry professionals, chemists, doctors and scientists — all working together to produce CBD oils.

Seismic Shift

Modern science has begun to substantiate both the anecdotal history and the therapeutic efficacy of cannabidiol. The FDA’s recent approval of a cannabis-based drug represents a seismic shift and is further indication of the enormous curative potential that may be found in CBD. As more scientific validations ensue, the market for CBD products could easily exceed expectations, and well-positioned companies in the space could outperform the market.

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

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