Category: CannabisNewsWire Release

Surging Vape Market Propels Smart Brands Growth

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: The growth of vaping has led to the emergence of a new sector.

  • Vaping is tied to the tobacco and cannabis industries but has become popular as a healthier delivery system for both products.
  • Investment and mergers are fueling the industry’s expansion.
  • Working smarter in the competitive market may be savvy strategy.

Many companies are jockeying for position in this new space. Interestingly, some of the more successful companies may not necessarily be the big players but those that work smart with what they have. Among these smaller smart companies is VPR Brands LP (OTC: VPRB) (VPRB Profile), which has used innovative products and marketing tactics to expand its customer base. At the opposite end of the spectrum is Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO), a tobacco giant that has invested heavily in vaping. Greenlane Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: GNLN) works on the distribution side and has impressive reach, supplying nearly 10,000 stores and two major online outlets. KushCo Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: KSHB) has moved successfully from packaging into cannabis. Thanks to cannabis-based medicines such as those created by GW Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ: GWPH), vaping may even develop a place in medical care.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Vaping Takes Off

Vaping has taken off in a huge way over the past few years. One in 20 American adults now vapes, and the habit has gained global popularity as an alternative to smoking. This trend has led to the rise of companies providing vaping products, primarily the hardware and the fluids used to manufacture those products. The industry, which didn’t even exist just over a decade ago, was valued at more than $7 billion in 2016 and has kept on growing, with observers predicting that it will reach an estimated $47 billion by 2025.

The market is already being shaped by a number of larger and seemingly more profitable vaping companies. But with the whole industry still so young, the space seems full of flux and uncertainty. Smaller companies are sometimes proving more profitable in practice, and there’s potential for the balance of influence to be transformed.

An Active Market

The vaping market is still going through the early stages of development. Smaller companies such as VPR Brands LP (OTC: VPRB) can compete with established big names because even those names are relatively new in the sector. With only a decade of development, none of these businesses can claim the sort of extended heritage and track record provided by leading tobacco and alcohol brands.

The vaping industry has found its moment through the arrival of two important but conflicting trends: a shift away from smoking and the rise of legal cannabis.

In western countries, millions of people are trying to give up smoking because of its harmful health effects. Older substitutes such as nicotine patches and gum don’t provide the sense of ritual or social experience that smoking does, but vaping can fill that niche. That option appears to be a popular choice among ex-smokers.

At the same time, cannabis has been legalized across swathes of North America and beyond. Whether used for medicine or recreation, the plant is often at its most effective when inhaled, and as with tobacco, this is part of the ritual surrounding it.

However, at a time when the public is becoming more health conscious, straightforward smoking is unappealing to many, thus leading to vaping appearing to be a more attractive alternative. VPR Brands has seen success by providing a range of vaping products that fits the needs of cannabis consumers. By providing an alternative way to consume the active chemicals from cannabis, vaping companies are saving cannabis consumers from a return to smoking.

Mergers, Acquisitions and Investment

Investors have been quick to see the opportunity that this trend has created. Money has flowed into vaping companies, allowing them to continue research, development and marketing of new products.

Business journalists and commentators have been following this trend. A senior analyst at Cowen recently pointed out that vaping is underrated as a factor in the cannabis sector, where much of the attention is on smoking and edibles. VPR Brands has seen coverage in the press as ‘one to watch’, thanks in part to its high-quality vaping products.

Even the big rivals to vaping are getting in on the act. The company behind Marlboro cigarettes has made a substantial investment in an e-cigarette company. While established companies may prefer their business models continue as they are, savvy businesses recognize the need to adapt with the times, and fear of missing out has many companies scrambling to get in on the new market.

Vaping and CBD

Vaping plays a particularly prominent part in the CBD market.

CBD is a chemical derived from cannabis but without the psychotropic properties of THC. The plant is more widely legal for sale than other cannabis products, and production has become easier since December, when U.S. authorities legalized the cultivation of hemp, a variant of cannabis rich in CBD but without THC. CBD has become its own growing market within and around the cannabis industry, and smart companies have moved to make the most of the opportunity it offers.

VPR Brands has built a product line specifically for this market, creating not only CBD oils but vaporizers designed to work well with CBD. Its Goldline brand consists of CBD products including vaping liquids and vaporizers. VPR also aims to reach CBD consumers who don’t vape, through edibles such as Honeysticks, made of CBD-infused honey.

Marketing these products hasn’t always been straightforward. Legal questions over the status of CBD meant that CBD products weren’t allowed at the National Association of Convenience Stores expo in 2018, despite their popularity in some stores. VPR Brands transcended this marketing obstacle through hemp products that didn’t contain CBD but instead acted as ambassadors for the Goldline brand. With recent legal changes, it’s unlikely that even these obstacles will be in place for long.

David Versus Goliath

In this surging and shifting market, victory doesn’t always go to the biggest companies. In fact, smaller brands are often able to outperform larger ones in key areas, providing they work smart.

Large companies sometimes rely on soaking up losses to let them ride to profit in the long term. Smaller companies, such as VPR Brands that can’t afford those losses, have to work smarter, aiming at obtaining better results. VPR’s seasoned management team, including veterans of Vapor Corp., have developed a fiscally smart strategy that minimizes outstanding shares and reduces operating losses while increasing sales.

One of the strongest indicators of VPR Brands’ performance is its debt-to-sales ratio. The company is currently selling five times as much as it is borrowing, in contrast with competitor ratios that in some cases average two to one. Who’s winning on vaping depends upon how success is measured, and larger companies inevitably have more cash coming in. But when those numbers are balanced against losses, the smaller rivals, forced by necessity to work smart, may evolve into more effective players and triumph in the long term.

The State of Vaping

A variety of companies, both big and small, are operating in the vaping space.

One of the biggest players is the Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO). One of the world’s largest tobacco producers, Altria is the corporation behind such famous cigarette brands as Marlboro and Benson & Hedges. The company recently acquired a $12.8 billion stake in Juul Labs, the biggest player in the vaping industry, in a move designed to give it a piece of this fast-growing market. With decades of experience grappling with government regulation, Altria’s expertise is likely to shape the future of the vaping market far beyond its own share of the pie.

Greenlane Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: GNLN) is a leading business in the distribution of vaping products. Its customers in the United States and Canada cover nearly 10,000 retail locations. The company also operates two of the most visited North American direct-to-consumer e-commerce websites for vaping. The company went public on the Nasdaq in April this year, making it one of the biggest cannabis-related companies available for trade on a major U.S. exchange.

KushCo Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: KSHB) entered the sector from packaging solutions, an unglamorous but vital part of the industry. The company has since moved heavily into the cannabis sector, creating a one-stop shop for cannabis products that places it squarely in competition with others in the CBD and vaporizing markets. The move has resulted in the company posting its all-time high revenue in the latest quarter. KushCo also recently secured long-term supply arrangements with three large companies, which are predicted to provide $75 million.

Unlike traditional smoking, vaping is finding a place in the medical sector. The use of CBD and other active ingredients from cannabis to treat a range of ailments means that vaping may provide a way to consume medicines. GW Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) is working on cannabis-derived medicines, with a particular focus on tackling forms of epilepsy, for which it is currently presenting data on successful trials.

Vaping has become an important part of the combined tobacco and cannabis markets, and as its reach grows, so will the companies providing it.

For more information on VPR Brands, visit VPR Brands LP (OTC: VPRB)

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.

Full-Spectrum Seed-to-Sale Model, Quality Branding Key to Cannabis Success

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Last year was a year of maturation for the cannabis market.

  • California’s growing pains are a recipe for success for handful of savvy operators
  • Brands, consistency and scalability likely deciding factors for many companies
  • Projected global market size an open-and-shut case for scaling up NA sector

The market growth resulted from retailers in nine legal adult-use states being pushed beyond the sector’s historically core demographics, targeting fast-growing new segments such as women, with an emphasis on elements such as wellness and clearly labeled/low-dose alternatives. That trend was reinforced with CBD breaking out into the mainstream, as industrial hemp became legal throughout the United States, and cannabis companies looked for ways to stand out from the crowd. Some companies were more successful at this than others, with TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (XETR: TH8) (TCAN Profile) making huge strides recently to expand the upper-end procurement part of the business, as well as flesh-out its footprint of branded offerings. Other moves have been made by comparable sector players such as Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED), DionyMed Brands Inc. (OTCQB: DYMEF) (CSE: DYME), Cresco Labs Inc. (OTCQX: CRLBF) (CSE: CL) and CannaRoyalty Corp. (OTCQX: ORHOF) (CSE: OH), which are pursuing similarly comprehensive approaches to the sector that run the gamut from raw inputs to changing branding, marketing and distribution methods.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Diverse Markets Hold Big Potential

California’s administrative and tax regime may have cost the state half a billion dollars or more in potential cannabis market tax revenues through over regulation, with the state being the first market in the world since transitioning in 2016 from medical to recreational that has actually witnessed a subsequent decline in the size of the legal retail market. This is in stark contrast to Massachusetts and Nevada, which both dramatically outperformed expectations. And while the California legal retail market may have come in around half a billion shy of projected targets, the illicit market is doing just fine, with an estimated value of $3.7 billion last year, accounting for as much as 80% of all sales. This is a clear indicator that the potential exists to have hit analyst-projected targets for the legal market, had California regulators not handicapped a growing industry just as things were really getting started.

In fact, with thousands of cultivation and manufacturing licenses set to expire in the next few months and only Senate Bill 67 on the horizon to address the problem, some analysts are predicting that California may see supply shortages in the near future. At any rate, the national and international markets are shaping up quite nicely, with the most recent worldwide consumer spending estimates from Arcview Market Research and BDS Analytics showing a 39.1% year-over-year jump to $17 billion in 2019 and beyond. This is a market which is on track to run at an estimated 26% CAGR through 2022, hitting upwards of $31.6 billion, making it an extremely lucrative export market for sophisticated North American cannabis brands.

Self-Contained Ecosystem and Closed-Loop Brands

Founded in 2017 with the goal of genuine seed-to-sale capability and rapidly acquiring a bevy of premium cannabis brands, Vancouver-based TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (XETR: TH8) is pursuing a true “self-contained ecosystem” approach to the sector via its California-based, wholly owned subsidiaries. TransCanna is intent on ensuring maximum brand consistency by handling every aspect of the production process — from procurement and branding and design through to distribution, transportation, marketing and sales.

The company’s latest acquisition announcement will see TransCanna picking up such well-performing Goodfellas Group LLC brands as Daily Cannabis Goods, which saw more than 2,100 units shipped during its first month in August of last year before breaking the 10,000 mark just four months later. TransCanna anticipates adding at least three more items to the Daily Cannabis Goods product mix and also managed to pick up the proprietary, in‐house Simple brand of user-friendly Simple Kit™ products in the Goodfellas Group deal, which are specially crafted to give new users a positive first cannabis experience.

Forged in the Crucible of a Nascent Industry

The company cut its teeth amid the growing pains of California’s burgeoning — but still very young — recreational market. Today TransCanna appears well poised to successfully deliver on a closed-loop cannabis model that can cost effectively bring goods to market while still dealing with prevailing regulations.

CEO TransCanna Jim Pakulis spoke in mid-April of the company’s tremendous efforts to complete the acquisition of what is arguably the largest vertically-integrated cannabis focused facility in California. The $15 million acquisition consists of a 196,000-square-foot, turnkey manufacturing facility on a 5.5-acre piece of land in Modesto, estimated to be able to support expansion of the site with an additional 400,000 to 600,000 square feet of facilities for cultivation.

Total revenues from the acquisition, including manufacturing, extraction, distribution and cannabis sales, are currently projected to be from $220 million to $363 million a year. A recent independent third‐party business valuation firm’s conclusion put the enterprise value of the proposed business, at around $50 to $75 million. That estimate includes things such as the value of the recently renovated manufacturing facility’s institutional-grade packaging and extraction equipment. This appears to be a sweetheart deal, placing the company in a solid position to take advantage of a potential supply shortfall in California. Similarly, the move sets up TransCanna for success on the rapidly developing national and international stages.

Growth Financing Gone Well

In addition, the company originally announced a CD$10 million broker-syndicated private placement but within short order was oversubscribed to CD$16 million. The funds were used to assist in the aforementioned acquisition and has already executed a sublease agreement for an additional 10,000 square feet of multipurpose floorspace in Adelanto, California.

This satellite facility is the first of five anticipated satellite distribution network facilities that will be strategically located throughout the state to support TransCanna’s goal of quickly having 15 reliable, consistent, branded products on offer at the scale necessary to keep the business growing alongside demand. The completely fenced Adelanto complex is reportedly of superior quality and already has existing round-the-clock armed security, making it a solid deal at a negotiated price of $2 per square foot per month for four years, which is roughly 30% below current market rates.

Furthermore, TransCanna recently applied for a permanent manufacturing, distribution and transportation license for Adelanto, proving that the company’s immediate focus is on ensuring city and state licenses are in hand as soon as possible. The company anticipates applying for licenses with the local regulatory body in Modesto by the first of June. The company anticipates being able to prepare and package the Daily Cannabis Brand half gram pre-rolls at the facility, then transport them straight to dispensaries without the need to involve a third party or incur any additional expenses.

Cannabis Companies Making Big Moves

Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED), one of the largest players in the space, has made big moves lately to expand its footprint in both North American and Europe. In April, Canopy announced a definitive agreement to acquire leading multistate operator Acreage Holdings Inc. outright in a deal valued at around $3.4 billion. This massive deal could make Canopy a real juggernaut, with a leading position in every major international market for legal cannabis. The move will give the company a sizeable presence in the United States as Canopy rolls out its U.S. hemp operations in parallel, which will span cultivation, extraction, processing, and packaging.

DionyMed Brands Inc. (OTCQB: DYMEF) (CSE: DYME), while still a relatively small company compared to others in this area, has nevertheless put together a compelling model. The company’s approach spans multistate cannabis brands as well as a distribution and direct-to-consumer delivery platform. The company recently managed to secure a roughly $7.34 million agreement with a syndicate of agents co-led by Canaccord Genuity Corp. and leading Canadian independent investment dealer Cormark Securities.

Cresco Labs Inc. (OTCQX: CRLBF) (CSE: CL) has also been making big moves in the sector, recently prequalifying for a cultivation and processing license in Michigan and signing a letter to acquire VidaCann, one of the biggest and most advanced medical cannabis providers in Florida. The VidaCann deal would put Cresco in operation in six of the country’s most populous states, granting access to some 140 million potential customers (roughly 65 percent of the total addressable U.S. cannabis market).

Cresco also signed a definitive agreement in April to acquire California-based CannaRoyalty Corp. (OTCQX: ORHOF) (CSE: OH), which does business under the well-known Origin House moniker as a leading cannabis products distributor, as well as a provider of brand support services. CannaRoyalty has built a serious operation with more than 50 brands under the Origin House name. The Cresco Labs acquisition would harness the branded product development and distribution expertise of two of the industry’s top players.

TransCanna is banking on the future of intelligently executed cannabis brand offerings, not just in California and North America but around the world as well. With longer-term projections of $57 billion by 2027 for the global market, the company could be setting the cornerstones today of a self-contained ecosystem weed empire that may one day see its premium brands in dispensaries all over the globe. Investors may want to keep tabs on TransCanna as the company’s growing brand portfolio and physical presence in California begin to bear fruits.

For more information on TransCanna Holdings, visit TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (XETR: TH8)

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

For more information please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com and or https://CannabisNewsWire.News

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

CannabisNewsWire (CNW)
Denver, Colorado
www.CannabisNewsWire.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

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 – Two Cannabis Bills to be Voted on by Congressional Committee this Week

Two bills dealing with access to medical marijuana by veterans are slated to be voted on by a congressional committee today (Wednesday, May 8). This vote comes barely a week after the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee of Health conducted a hearing on the bills.

One of the bills up for a vote has to do with allowing VA doctors to prescribe medical marijuana. This bill also seeks to codify into law an existing policy which protects the VA benefits of veterans who use medical cannabis in accordance with state law.

The second bill that will be voted on seeks to compel the VA department to conduct research about the medicinal effects of cannabis for the common conditions which veterans suffer from. These include post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain.

A third bill which isn’t going to be voted on focused on allowing VA doctors to recommend medical cannabis for veterans who can be helped by the substance. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Earl Blumenaeuer, will not be voted on because its contents are already included in another bill that has been scheduled for a vote.

The broader bill also includes a clause which stops VA doctors from making medical records that state that a veteran suffers from “substance abuse disorder” if that individual uses cannabis in a state where marijuana is legal.

Another clause which was added to that bill asks the VA secretary to generate new diagnostic codes tailored to cannabis use.

Advocates have urged the Veterans’ Affairs committee to take action now so that veterans no longer have to go underground to access medical cannabis to relieve their symptoms. The advocates added that medical marijuana is here to stay, so there is no point in continuing to think along prohibitionist lines.

These bills to be voted upon mark yet another step in the push to reform federal marijuana laws. In March, another House committee passed a bill which intends to protect banks from federal prosecution resulting from the banks’ dealings with state-legal marijuana companies.

These bills being fronted in different House committees are in line with the “blueprint” designed by Rep. Blumenaeuer last year. In that blueprint, the congressman urged different committees to push through marijuana law reforms that fall in the ambit of their committees so that at the end of that process, the overall federal marijuana policy will have been overhauled.

Earth Science Tech, Inc. (OTCQB: ETST) and Choom Holdings Inc. (CSE: CHOO) (OTCQB: CHOOF) hope that the bills are passed by the House committee and the entire Congress so that the men and women who have served this nation in the armed forces access medical marijuana in their time of need.

About CNW420

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

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420 with CNW – Oregon Legislators Discuss Exporting Marijuana Surplus

The production of marijuana in Oregon is so high that the Oregon Liquor Commission estimates that the available inventory can address the supply needs of the state for nearly 7 years if demand remains at the current level. This overproduction has prompted lawmakers to consider exporting the excess cannabis to other jurisdictions where recreational marijuana is legal.

Senate Bill 582 is a preemptive step aimed at getting Oregon ready to move fast once the federal government relaxes its marijuana laws. Currently, marijuana is a schedule 1 controlled substance which cannot cross state lines.

Cannabis law reform at the federal level is expected to take one of two forms in the foreseeable future. First, the States Act which is before Congress seeks to get federal recognition that states have a right to make and implement their own marijuana laws without interference from the feds.

Alternatively, a statement by the Justice Department to the effect that the transfer of marijuana between states wouldn’t be a “priority for law enforcement” at the federal level can be interpreted to mean that states which have legalized marijuana can trade the substance between themselves.

Mike Getlin, a cannabis law reform advocate, says that should marijuana trade between states become a reality and Oregon isn’t poised to jump right in from the very onset, then a delay of even six months would be sufficient to knock the state out of contention as a major player in the interstate cannabis trade. Such an eventuality would flip the oversupply in Oregon from an asset to a major problem which can cripple the state’s cannabis industry.

SB 582 has provisions which would allow the Governor of Oregon to negotiate arrangements through which Oregon’s surplus marijuana can be sold to states where more supply is needed. The bill stipulates that only states where recreational marijuana is legal are eligible for an export and sale arrangement with Oregon.

Casey Houlihan, the head of the Oregon Cannabis Retailers Association, testified before the senate committee and revealed that the excess cannabis in Oregon will find its way to other states one way or the other, so it is better for mechanisms to be put in place so that the export can be done in a regulated way that brings revenue to state coffers.

Some of the cannabis companies that testified before the senate committee revealed that they had reduced their workforce by up to 80 percent because of the drop in marijuana prices due to oversupply within Oregon.

Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF) and Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) look forward to a viable solution that can save the cannabis industry in Oregon from collapsing due to excess production.

About CNW420

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

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000

For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer

Do you have a questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor

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Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com

420 with CNW – New Hampshire Senate Okays Medical Marijuana Home Cultivation

House Bill 364, a proposed law that seeks to allow patients taking medical cannabis to grow marijuana at home, has been approved by the senate in New Hampshire. The vote was close, but the bill sailed through 14-10.

Under the proposed legislation, patients who have been enrolled on the medical marijuana program of the state can have 12 medical marijuana seedlings, 3 young plants and 3 mature plants for their own use.

Currently, New Hampshire has 7,000 registered patients in the medical cannabis program. These patients have been compelled to get all their medical marijuana from just four Alternative Treatment Centers operating in the state.

The small number of retail outlets has resulted in high medical cannabis product prices, and many patients who cannot afford those products have resorted to using prescription opioids and other potentially harmful alternatives since medical marijuana isn’t covered by most insurance companies.

Activists have welcomed the bill saying that it will give patients a viable alternative to the expensive medical marijuana available at Alternative Treatment Centers.

There was resistance to the bill in the senate, and several changes were made in order to accommodate the concerns of the dissenting voices. For example, the bill initially had a provision which would allow a medical cannabis patient to gift marijuana to another patient who is registered to use medical cannabis in the state.

This provision was removed because there were concerns that such gifting would open the way to medical marijuana getting to the wrong people, such as criminal gangs selling marijuana on the black market.

Despite the changes, some senators, such as Sen. James Gray, are still adamant that legalizing home grows isn’t a good move. He said that the state has a rigorous system in place to make sure that the licensed cultivators only supply their products to the state-approved retailers. Allowing home grows creates a regulatory nightmare because it will be hard to monitor the plants grown by each patient who chooses to grow medical marijuana, Gray added.

Now that the bill has received senate approval, it now heads back to the House of Representatives where it had initially been approved and sent to the senate. The bill is coming back to the House so that the lawmakers there can consider the changes made by senate.

If the lawmakers in the House of Representatives pass the bill in its current form, then it will be sent to the desk of Gov. Sununu for a final decision on whether it becomes law.

TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) and Therma Bright Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) sympathize with the patients and call upon the authorities to pass the bill quickly so that those who cannot afford the medical cannabis in Alternative Treatment Centers can grow their own.

About CNW420

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

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420 with CNW – Illinois Unveils Bill to Legalize Recreational Cannabis

A draft law through which Illinois will legalize recreational marijuana has been unveiled. The bill has some ambitious provisions, while others appear to have been borrowed from other states where marijuana is now legal for adult use.

One of the most noticeable provisions of the draft law is one that sets up a low-interest loan program worth $20million. Under this program, people from disadvantaged communities, such as African Americans, would borrow the money and set up cannabis businesses so that social equity can be promoted in the industry.

Another eye-catching provision in the law which was unveiled on Saturday (May 4) states that large-scale cultivators wouldn’t initially be licensed to operate within the state. Rather, small (“craft”) growers would be given priority at least for the first 12 months, and then larger players would be considered thereafter.

This emphasis on small growers is intended to spread the opportunities in the recreational cannabis sector to as many local players as possible.

The lawmakers also seem to have learnt a lot from California where local authorities have made it difficult for residents to access recreational cannabis by banning the operation of marijuana retail businesses in their jurisdictions. The draft bill in Illinois has a provision allowing local authorities to ban retail outlets within their areas for only the first 12 months.

Thereafter, any ban in a municipality can only be enforced once the voters in that jurisdiction approve the ban through a referendum. This is a great proposal because it puts the fate of recreational marijuana in municipalities in the hands of voters, rather than in the hands of a few municipal council members who may have divergent views from those of the people they represent.

The proposed law also has provisions on the likely taxes which will be levied on recreational marijuana products. For example, the lawmakers propose that customers will pay a 10 percent tax on cannabis products whose THC content is less than 35 percent while the products with a THC content that is higher than 35 percent will attract a 25 percent sales tax.

Entities that want to grow cannabis in the state will pay a permit fee of $100,000 while those who want to operate retail businesses will fork out $30,000 for a permit. Applicants from minority communities would pay lower permit fees so that the barriers to entry are reduced.

Debate on the bill is already heating up between proponents and those opposed to marijuana legalization. The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) and The Flowr Corporation (TSX.V: FLWR) (OTC: FLWPF) hope that logic will prevail during these debates and the best law will be enacted for the people of Illinois.

About CNW420

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

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CannabisNewsBreaks – MjLink.com Inc. Announces CannabisNewsWire as Official Newswire Sponsor of MjMicro Conference

MjLink.com Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Social Life Networks Inc. (OTCQB: WDLF), this morning announced that CannabisNewsWire (“CNW”) will serve as the official newswire sponsor for its MjMicro Conference, which is billed as ‘The next level in cannabis investment’. The MjMicro Conference will take place at the Westin Grand Central in New York City on June 25, 2019.

“We are very pleased that CannabisNewsWire will be our official newswire and media sponsor,” MjLink President George Jage said in the news release. “The momentum of the cannabis movement has created huge opportunities for investors and public companies alike. CNW’s impressive ability to raise the visibility of the cannabis industry and its many players will provide an invaluable service to our conference goers, presenters and sponsors.”

To view the full press release, visit http://cnw.fm/1syVA

About MjLink.com Inc.

Social Life Network, a cloud-based social media and social network technology company based in Denver, Colorado, announced on September 25, 2018, the Company had spun its cannabis technology division out of the parent company and incorporated MjLink.com Inc., a Delaware Corporation, as its wholly owned subsidiary. MjLink operates as a multinational cannabis technology and media organization with two separate social networks: WeedLife.com, a consumer-to-consumer network and MjLink.com, a business-to-business social network. On April 4th of this year, the president of MjLink, George Jage, announced the launch of a new division of the company that is focused on providing the industry with best-in-class Financial, B2B and B2C cannabis centric events that complement their global social networks. For more information about Social Life Network and to download the MjLink Investor Deck, visit www.Social-Life-Network.com

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 – Las Vegas City Council Votes to Allow Marijuana Lounges

On Wednesday (May 1), the Las Vegas City Council voted 4-1 in favor of a proposed ordinance that would see cannabis consumption lounges licensed to operate within the city. This means that the first consumption lounges could open by the end of this year.

Las Vegas becomes the first city in Nevada to pass regulations allowing cannabis consumption venues to open.

Carolyn Goodman, the mayor of Las Vegas, abstained from voting due to a possible conflict of interest. She had earlier revealed that one of her family members works in the cannabis industry.

According to the ordinance passed, cannabis retailers and dispensaries will be free to apply for a special use license which will allow them to open a cannabis lounge. Once the permit is granted, the licensed business can sell cannabis and allow the buyers to consume marijuana on the premises.

The consumption lounge permit will come with a number of conditions. First, such a lounge should not be located within 1,000 feet from a school or a casino. Additionally, each cannabis lounge must have a system to control smoke so that marijuana smoke doesn’t escape to the exterior of the consumption facility.

Another condition in the ordinance states that no one will be allowed to smoke cannabis outside the consumption lounge. Cannabis lounge operators are also barred from allowing alcohol within the consumption lounge.

The ordinance didn’t pass without some opposition. Casino operators were particularly concerned that licensing cannabis consumption lounges would increase the intoxication issues that casinos have to deal with since someone may use cannabis in a lounge and head to a casino where he or she can consume alcohol.

The restriction of the proximity of cannabis lounges to casinos may have been aimed at addressing the concerns raised by the casino owners, but only time will tell how effective that measure will be.

For now, only businesses with a license to dispense cannabis will be eligible to apply for a marijuana lounge permit. Other interested businesses will have to wait for at least 12 months before they can qualify for the permit.

Sproutly Canada Inc. (OTCQB: SRUTF) (CSE: SPR) (FRA: 38G) and SinglePoint Inc. (OTCQB: SING) applaud Las Vegas for taking the lead in allowing marijuana lounges in the state of Nevada. This step will solve a longstanding dilemma people have had because they could buy marijuana but didn’t have anywhere they could consume it outside their homes. The economy is therefore likely to benefit now that Las Vegas has decided to allow lounges to open.

About CNW420

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

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420 with CNW – 3 Things We Get Wrong When We Look at Cannabis as We Do Alcohol

As more states move to legalize cannabis in the U.S., there is a tendency to think about marijuana in the same light as alcohol, and this sets up people to make a number of mistakes. Below are three things that you are likely to get wrong when you look at cannabis through the same lens as you think about alcohol.

Expecting Quick Results from Consuming Marijuana Edibles

When you take alcohol, it is fairly easy to know when you are approaching your limit and are now crossing into the realm of intoxication.

When some people consume cannabis edibles for the first time, they make the mistake of thinking that the products will produce immediate effects in a way that is similar to the timeline within which alcohol produces its effects.

What you may not know is that while alcohol can be absorbed by the stomach lining, cannabis edibles have to be digested and absorbed in the small intestine before you can notice the effects of the edible.

Consequently, it is possible to consume more than is needed to generate the effects that you want just because what you ate took long to kick in.

Expecting THC Concentration to Match Intoxication Levels

For decades, scientific data has existed showing that when someone’s blood alcohol level exceeds a certain concentration, then that person will be impaired. For this reason, courts have always upheld the charges against those found to be driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Many law enforcement agencies are taking the same view when determining driving while under the influence of marijuana. What these agencies don’t seem to appreciate is the fact that marijuana acts differently from alcohol.

It is therefore not possible for one to claim that someone was under the influence just because their blood had more THC than is stipulated as the legal limit.

Prosecutors are therefore likely to face a hard time from defense attorneys who bring into question the science behind the THC limits upon which intoxication is presumed.

Expecting Marijuana to Have the Same Effect

The effects of alcohol are fairly uniform across the different types. For example, someone who takes a certain number of glasses of wine is expected to be affected in a certain way. Similarly, one can predict how a given number of pints of beer will affect an individual.

However, the same cannot be said of cannabis due to the varying combinations and concentration of the components available in a given plant or strain. For example, the terpenes that give cannabis strains their flavor and taste can influence the effect of consuming that cannabis.

It is therefore erroneous to make generalizations about the effects of cannabis because it is hard to predict how the different cannabis products will react once consumed.

Phivida Holdings Inc. (CSE: VIDA) (OTCQX: PHVAF) and Net Element Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE) call for cannabis to be studied thoroughly so that the plant isn’t judged based on misconceptions borrowed from what is known about other substances.

About CNW420

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

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420 with CNW – Moosehead Teams up With Sproutly Canada to Produce Cannabis Beverages

Moosehead Breweries Ltd, one of the largest breweries in Canada, has announced that it plans to form a joint venture with Sproutly Canada, Inc. in order to make cannabis-infused drinks. The drinks will be introduced on the Canadian market by the end of this year.

Andrew Oland, the CEO of Moosehead Breweries Ltd, said that the company wants to enter the cannabis beverages space as soon as the federal government in Canada releases rules to regulate cannabis edibles in the country.

As a leader in the beer industry, Moosehead is convinced that the company is well placed to be a major player in the cannabis drinks sector.

Once the joint venture is finalized, Mathew Oland will be its head. Mathew Oland is a former Vice President of Moosehead Breweries and in that role, he superintended the supply chain infrastructure of the brewery. While at the joint venture, Mathew Oland will oversee Research and Development (R&D), procurement and distribution as well as the operations of the new entity. A name for the joint venture hasn’t yet been agreed upon. The financial aspects of the joint venture are also yet to be finalized.

Keith Dolo, the CEO of Sproutly Canada, revealed that the joint venture will be given exclusive rights to use Sproutly Canada’s technology for five years, which can be extended for two more years.

Dolo added that working with Moosehead will expedite the process of getting the drinks developed to the market in a sector that is expected to be highly competitive.

To get an idea about how tough the competition is likely to get, consider the fact that Canopy Growth and Constellation Brands are finalizing a bottling line for cannabis beverages. Another cannabis company, Hexo Corp. also teamed up with Molson Coors Brewing Company to make marijuana-infused drinks. Other small players have also expressed their interest in entering the cannabis drinks market.

However, the drinks made using Sproutly Canada’s technology may have an edge in the industry since this technology shortens the time within which a person can feel the effect of the drink he or she has consumed.

Just for comparison purposes, the cannabis drinks available in California take more than an hour to kick in and the effects wear off between 4-8 hours later. In contrast, Sproutly’s technology results in a cannabis drink whose effects are felt within five minutes and those effects wear off in less than two hours. No prizes for guessing which product stands a higher chance of being a hit in the market!

Supreme Cannabis Company Inc. (TSX.V: FIRE) (OTCQX: SPRWF) and Sugarmade Inc. (OTCQB: SGMD) congratulate Sproutly Canada, Inc. and Moosehead Breweries Ltd upon their desire to form a joint venture so that Canadians can have an increased number of options to select from when they want a cannabis beverage.

About CNW420

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

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