420 with CNW – Student-Organized Event Discusses Cannabis on Sidelines of Michigan Hash Bash

Every year, a Hash Bash festival is held in Ann Arbor as a day of having fun and entertainment. This year, law students at Michigan Law School worked with the organizers of the Hash Bash festival to host an event at the law school to discuss marijuana legalization politics.

This event was held yesterday (Sunday, April 7) while the Hash Bash took place on Saturday. The organizers of the event at Michigan Law School wanted to educate members of the public about issues related to marijuana. Several panelists made presentations on various issues.

Ari Goldstein, a law student who was one of the organizers, remarked that marijuana legalization brings entrepreneurial opportunities that haven’t been seen since the Great Depression, so every effort must be taken to prepare people to seize those opportunities.

Kevin Boehnke, who is a research fellow at Michigan University’s Department of Anesthesiology, revealed during his presentation that several patient studies point to the fact that more patients are opting for medical marijuana to manage pain instead of using prescription opioids.

The shift is due to the better symptom relief experienced by patients, and the concerns about the documented side effects of prescription opioids.

Another panelist, Gus Rosania (a professor of pharmacological sciences) handled the topic of natural vs. synthetic cannabis ingredients. Rosania dispelled the misconception that synthetic cannabis is different from natural cannabis.

He revealed that at the basic level, synthetic marijuana is chemically identical to natural marijuana, so it is hard to tell the two apart. He added that it was only because different ingredients could be isolated and made in a lab that it was possible to identify the different cannabinoids in marijuana.

Andrew Brisbo, the head of Michigan’s Bureau of Marijuana Regulation, was also in attendance to talk about the ramifications of the legalization of recreational cannabis in the state. He revealed that he had a huge task on his desk to put together a program for recreational cannabis implementation in just a year from the time the law was passed.

Brisbo intimated that one way that he was using to get everything done correctly is by engaging different stakeholders in order to tap their perspectives when putting together an implementation plan.

Many people in the audience expressed their frustration about how hard it was for them to get a medical cannabis prescription from their doctors. Brisbo expressed sympathy for their plight and revealed that it wasn’t easy to change attitudes about cannabis after such a long time of prohibition. He added that efforts were underway to give physicians more information about medical cannabis so that they can gradually warm up to prescribing it to their patients who qualify for such treatment.

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) and Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTCQB: MCOA) welcome such engagements between regulators, patients, professors and other stakeholders since such interactions can result in better cannabis industry policies.

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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 – Florida Moves to Regulate the Potency of Smokable Medical Cannabis

Barely a month ago, Gov. DeSantis signed a bill to allow patients to smoke medical marijuana after protracted legal battles which ended when court ruled that banning smokable marijuana was unconstitutional. Now a bill to regulate the strength of the smokable medical marijuana has been passed by a House committee amidst protests by medical cannabis advocates.

On Wednesday (April 3), the Health and Human Services Committee decided that the THC content of the marijuana flower that patients wish to smoke should not exceed 10 percent.

Medical cannabis advocates protested, saying that such a cap didn’t even reflect the strength of the cannabis already on the market. The advocates say that higher THC levels are necessary for triggering the therapeutic effects that patients have been enjoying when they use medical marijuana.

The advocates also say that the cap will make medical cannabis more expensive since patients may need to buy more in order to get the effects that they were getting when using more potent cannabis.

Those against this cap also say that the state has just handed a lifeline to the black market since patients are likely to shun legal weed in favor of more potent marijuana on the black market.

In general, the Republicans on the committee were in favor of the cap while the Democrats didn’t want the limit to be passed.

Ray Rodrigues, the chair of the committee, argued that there was research showing that marijuana with a THC concentration that is higher than 10 percent can cause psychosis in some patients while marijuana with less than 10 percent THC content was therapeutic.

He rejected calls for Florida to first study the effects of higher levels of THC on patients before imposing such a cap. The chairman responded that while medical cannabis was relatively new in Florida, it had been around for decades in other states, and the data there shows that high THC levels can be problematic.

Out of the 33 states and the District of Columbia where medical cannabis is legal, 14 have THC limits on medical marijuana. Rodrigues said that most of those 14 states impose a limit that is much lower than what is being proposed in Florida.

Currently, more than 200,000 people have medical cannabis identification cards in Florida. It is not clear how the THC limit will affect their buying habits, and whether more people will enroll for the program.

Green Growth Brands Inc. (CSE: GGB) (OTCQB: GGBXF) and Green Hygienics Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: GRYN) hope that more robust debate will be conducted when this proposed bill is tabled before the entire House prior to its passing so that the limit set doesn’t push patients to the black market.

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420 with CNW – Georgia on the Verge of Legalizing Medical Cannabis

The state assembly in Georgia has passed a bill that will allow medical marijuana to be grown and processed within the state. With the Governor ready to sign the bill, there seems to be no hurdle to medical marijuana becoming a reality.

HB 324 was drafted in order to address the gaps that were created by a law passed in 2015 legalizing the use of low-THC cannabis oil for the treatment of a given set of medical conditions.

However, that law didn’t create any provision for the cultivation, sale or possession of cannabis oil within Georgia.

The bill that has just been passed addresses all those loopholes. It creates avenues through which cannabis can be grown for the extraction of low-THC marijuana oil. The bill also allows the creation of a commission to oversee the medical cannabis industry, as well as license different entities like universities which wish to take part in the manufacture of cannabis oil.

HB 324 doesn’t legalize recreational cannabis in the state, and it doesn’t have any provisions that allow the smoking of cannabis within the state.

It has been reported that Governor Kemp did a lot to help the assembly and the senate to reach a consensus on how the illegal distribution of marijuana will be prevented in the state. This compromise paved the way for the passing of HB 324.

Kemp said, “I have met several kids struggling with debilitating diseases, as well as parents who are losing hope that their kids can be helped. Medical cannabis offers hope to such parents.”

Kemp added that legalizing medical marijuana was the right thing to do, and that was why he invested so much in seeing to it that both legislative houses approved the bill.

If the bill is finally enacted into law, Georgia will join the long list of 33 states that have legalized medical marijuana.

Advocates may not be happy that the state is only allowing the use of cannabis oil, but it is at least a good start. Reforms can be introduced later when the program is being implemented and the patients, as well as the regulators, realize that other forms of cannabis, such as creams and edibles, may be needed.

All in all, the entire cannabis industry, especially Global Payout, Inc. (OTC: GOHE) and Golden Developing Solutions, Inc. (OTC: DVLP) congratulate the lawmakers in Georgia for making it possible for patients to have one more treatment option as those patients battle with the conditions afflicting them.

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420 with CNW – Ireland Finally Selects a Medical Marijuana Supplier

The Irish government has revealed that it has finally identified and issued an import license to a Danish medical cannabis firm. The license was reportedly issued back in January.

Slightly more than two years ago, Simon Harris, the Irish Health Minister, announced that Ireland would create a medical cannabis program for its patients who couldn’t be helped by the existing conventional treatments for their health conditions.

However, little seemed to happen from the time that announcement was made. The revelation that a medical marijuana supplier had been found and licensed is therefore welcome news to the medical cannabis advocates in the country.

The government explained that it delayed to secure a supplier because it wanted to be convinced about the ability of that selected firm to deliver medical cannabis of verifiable quality, but many firms wouldn’t be able to export medical cannabis to Ireland.

The Ministry of Health has also confirmed that its staff is working tirelessly to finalize drafting the enabling legislation that will operationalize the medical cannabis program. The draft law may be ready by mid-April.

The medical cannabis that will be imported is intended to treat patients with nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, patients suffering from multiple sclerosis as well as patients suffering from severe epilepsy.

These qualifying conditions are part of the recommendations that were made by HPRA (Health Products Regulatory Authority) when it looked into the viability of medical cannabis and wrote a report in favor of setting up the medical cannabis program.

As the country waits for the operationalization of the medical cannabis program, doctors are allowed to prescribe medical marijuana to the patients that they are convinced can benefit from these products.

These patients are then required to apply to the Minister of Health for a license that can allow them to travel abroad to buy medical cannabis and bring it into Ireland.

As you may imagine, this process is a tedious and expensive one. It is therefore no surprise that in more than a year, the ministry has only granted licenses to just a dozen people. Most of these individuals obtained their medical cannabis from medical cannabis pharmacies in the Netherlands.

The enactment of the Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation bill will bring a sigh of relief to the patients who desperately need medical cannabis but cannot afford to travel abroad frequently in order to obtain it. Earth Science Tech, Inc. (OTCQB: ETST) and FinCanna Capital Corp. (CSE: CALI) (OTCQB: FNNZF) hope that the authorities in Ireland speed up all the necessary processes so that patients can access medical cannabis locally.

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420 with CNW – US Marijuana Producers Opt to Certify Products Kosher (Since They Can’t Get Federal Organic Certification)

As the cannabis market matures in different jurisdictions within the U.S., producers are fine-tuning their products in order to make those products more appealing to different segments of the market. One of the ways to target a niche market is by having your product certified as organic.

However, such food classifications are controlled at the federal level in the U.S. and since marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, no marijuana product can be federally certified as organic.

So, what have marijuana producers decided to do?

Several certification bodies have taken root in different states. The most respected certification for cannabis is the “Clean Green Certified”. However, many of the other certifications don’t carry as much weight as the “certified organic” badge on a product’s packaging material.

In order to take cannabis products to the niche market, a producer in California has decided to get a certification that has a religious twist to it.

Mission Kosher Cannabis Inc. is a cannabis company owned by Mitch Davis. Davis decided to have his products certified by a third-party (kosher) in order to be different from the other cannabis producers who were getting their certification from within the cannabis industry.

With the help of Rabbi Levy Zirkind, Mitch Davis is creating kosher certification standards for cannabis after he got his own products Kosher certified.

For those who may not know, kosher certification is very different from organic certification. A product can be kosher certified even if that product isn’t organic.

Kosher certification is all about product cleanliness. The product should not have any bugs in it. The product should also be free from pest infestations. Cleanliness is of the essence. There is a rigorous inspection process that has to be done to check all the boxes on these items before one gets the coveted kosher certification.

Additionally, one’s production system has to undergo random inspections in order for the product to retain its certification.

Mitch Davis says he loves the kosher certification because it has helped him to gel his workforce into a unit. All of the employees know that everything must be clean at all times because you can never know when the kosher inspectors will pass by.

When the inspectors visit, they take a close look at the facilities, such as where the cannabis plants are grown, how they are grown and where they are processed. They check the plants and harvested cannabis bud for pests and they also want to confirm that the employees in the grow rooms are wearing the recommended apparel.

With a kosher certification, who can really miss the federal organic certification?

Generation Alpha, Inc. (OTCQB: GNAL) and Global Consortium, Inc. (OTC: GCGX) congratulate Mitch Davis upon thinking outside the box and coming up with a novel way to show clients that cannabis producers are willing to do everything possible to bring them products of the highest quality possible.

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420 with CNW – Demand for Medical Cannabis Skyrockets on Rhode Island

As legislators on Rhode Island are thinking about legalizing recreational cannabis, the data on medical cannabis sales shows that the volume of products sold is setting state records year by year.

Currently, the state has three licensed dispensaries selling medical cannabis products. These dispensaries are on course to sell medical cannabis products worth about $56 million during the 2019 fiscal year.

If that target is hit, it will mark a 46.6 percent increase from the total sales of the previous fiscal year (2018). Medical cannabis sales for 2018 were also approximately 33.3 percent higher than what was registered in 2017.

As you can see, the medical cannabis industry on Rhode Island seems to be growing at an unstoppable pace year by year.

Rhode Island has a fairly short list of medical cannabis qualifying conditions when compared to other states where similar programs exist. However, the definition of those conditions is broad and it allows anyone with the symptoms of the listed conditions to access medical cannabis.

The state has about 18, 200 patients who are active on the medical marijuana program. Active patients are those who regularly buy medical cannabis products from the licensed dispensaries.

The uptick in medical cannabis sales has given the state a much-needed boost to its revenue. For example, the state earned $2.75 million as taxes on various aspects of the medical cannabis industry.

In this fiscal year, the state expects to earn almost double what it earned during the last fiscal year. Projections indicate that the state will collect about $5.4 million in taxes from the medical cannabis industry.

In the meantime, there are proposals to legalize recreational cannabis and also expand the medical cannabis sector. One of the proposals seeks to increase the number of dispensaries to nine.

Previous attempts to increase the number of dispensaries have been successfully resisted by the existing three dispensaries who argued that bringing in more players would hurt their businesses and result in possible closures.

However, those who want more dispensaries to be licensed argue that patients aren’t having sufficient access to dispensaries since the existing ones aren’t equally spread out across the state. Additionally, the lack of robust competition in the medical cannabis sector has denied patients competitive prices and access to a broader variety of products.

Advocates are therefore asking regulators to give priority to dispensaries that wish to operate in areas where none currently exists, and new operators should be brought on board before the existing ones are allowed to open additional compassion centers (medical cannabis dispensaries).

These reforms seem reasonable enough, and the regulators would be well advised to act upon the suggestions made. Cannabis Strategic Ventures, Inc. (OTC: NUGS) and Canopy Rivers Inc. (TSX.V: RIV) (OTC: CNPOF) hope that the state will act on the proposed reforms so that patients can have easier access a wider variety of products at competitive prices.

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420 with CNW – Cuomo Insists Recreational Weed Will Be Legal By June

When the $17 billion state budget was adopted without marijuana policy reflected in it, cannabis advocates were crestfallen because they realized that their dream of seeing marijuana legal for adult-use had just taken a major hit. However, Governor Andrew Cuomo has vowed that he will do everything possible to pass the law by June when the legislative session ends.

The Governor said that the problem wasn’t the lack of political will to pass the law. Rather, there were differing opinions regarding the way in which legalization would be implemented in the state.

Because of those differing views on implementation, it wasn’t possible to reach an agreement on the matter while getting a budget ready for adoption. Now that the budget is out of the way, Cuomo feels that his full attention can now be devoted to hammering out the details of how recreational cannabis will be taxed, regulated and social justice attained.

Many lawmakers aren’t as optimistic as the Governor regarding the chances of the bill now that it isn’t included in the budget. For example, State Sen. Diane Savino points to what happened in neighboring New Jersey where marijuana advocates thought they had a done deal but voting on the legalization bill was cancelled due to fears that not enough “yes” votes had been secured in the State Senate.

That sobering example from New Jersey shows how tough things could get in New York State now that marijuana policy wasn’t included in the state budget.

It should also be remembered that out of the 10 states and Washington, D.C. that have legalized recreational pot, only one did so by legislative means. All the other states relied on ballot measures or referenda to legalize recreational cannabis.

This statistic shows that the general populace is always ahead of the lawmakers who have the responsibility to make decisions on behalf of the people that they represent.

It is therefore going to be a great deal harder for a majority of the lawmakers in New York State to pass a standalone marijuana legalization bill.

Already, there was intense opposition even while there was a chance that marijuana legalization would be included in the state budget. For example, the leaders in two of the New York suburbs with the largest population have already indicated that the sale of recreational cannabis will not be allowed in those jurisdictions.

TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) and Vivo Cannabis Inc. (TSX.V: VIVO) (OTCQX: VVCIF) hope that the lawmakers can put aside their political differences and put the interests of New Yorkers first when discussing the way forward on marijuana legalization.

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Hemp Market Drives Hydroponics Growth

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: A surge in hemp production means big business for hydroponic suppliers.

Hemp production set to massively increase in the United States this year.
Increased production driving high demand for hydroponic supplies.
Hydroponics companies are responding with expansion and acquisitions.

Sugarmade Inc. (OTC: SGMD) (SGMD Profile) has strategically acquired several companies to meet demand and expand its foothold. Canadian-based Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) has expanded production in both Canada and Europe while Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) is developing projects in the United States, and Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) has received massive outside investment to fuel its growth. Companies such as Aphria (NYSE: APHA) (TSX: APHA) are enlarging their indoor grow operations as they too rush to meet demand.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Hemp Bonanza

The legalization of hemp in the United States has ignited further growth in a massive new industry. Already under development through state laws and federally approved test sites, this historically valuable cash crop is now legal for cultivation across the country. With demand for CBD soaring, growers are scrambling to capitalize on an unprecedented opportunity.

However, sudden growth means a sudden need for supplies, skills and experience, none of which can be conjured from thin air. Obtaining these creates challenges for growers and opportunities for suppliers, and the match between those two varies across the map. As the hemp rush unfolds, some are doing better than others at rising to the challenges of hemp farming.

Challenges for the Hemp Industry

December 2018 saw the passing of the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill and with it the legalization of hemp cultivation in the United States. While the crop had previously been cultivated on test sites and through state-level laws, this was the first time in a century that this once-important cash crop was officially allowed by the U.S. government again. The move has created a whole new playing field, thrusting Sugarmade Inc. (OTC: SGMD) into the spotlight.

Sugarmade is a hydroponics supply company catering to the hemp market. As such, it has seen an extraordinary few years of growth. Even before the Farm Bill, the hemp industry had been growing. CBD, an active ingredient extracted from hemp, has become an incredibly popular product in the last few years. The plant is used in foods, oils, vaping fluid, drinks and health treatments. Research indicating its potential to support health and well-being has fueled consumer interest. The existing producers of hemp have seen profits soar, and now that the floodgates have opened, other businesses are rushing to get in on the act.

This creates massive challenges both for the industry and for individual businesses. Though hemp is now legal, it is tightly controlled, and producers must be able to grow hemp in accordance with strict rules, as well as to validate that both their facilities and their products meet these standards. That means employing skilled staff and using high-quality equipment.

The challenge of obtaining that equipment is made all the greater by the sudden and widespread nature of the expansion. Scores of companies all looking for equipment at once puts pressure on suppliers. If they have the supplies and the reach to widely distribute those supplies, then there’s a huge opportunity for growth. If they don’t, they’ll struggle to meet customer demand.

The struggle to meet that demand is likely to create a situation of haves and have-nots, in which some growers are able to expand while others fail to fulfil their objectives. Who succeeds and who fails will be decided to a large extent by who can find a reliable hydroponic supplier.

Equipping Growers

Despite the romantic image of farmers turning over a patch of land to a new crop, most hemp farming occurs indoors using hydroponic systems. That’s why companies such as Sugarmade are such a critical link in the hemp-farming process.

The hydroponic equipment needed to grow consistent high-grade hemp is varied and complex. A broad range of lighting equipment is needed to control photosynthesis. Specialized nutrient mixes provide plants the food they need to grow. And measurement solutions and environmental controls are necessary for staff to measure, monitor and control the myriad of factors that determine the quality, strength and health of the plants.

Given the circumstances, companies with expertise in hydroponics are imperative to provide supplies, but due to the previously restricted market, they’ve been relatively small. All that is changing in the rush to meet the needs of the burgeoning hemp market. Larger companies are desperately needed, and Sugarmade appears set to become one of those companies.

Sugarmade’s strategic intent is growth on two fronts, organically by brand expansion and through acquisitions. The company has a few deals in the pipeline that are pending audit and funding.

“Sugarmade plans to integrate these businesses fully as soon as is possible, making us one of the larger suppliers to this growing marketplace,” said Jimmy Chan, CEO of Sugarmade. “Additionally, we are in the process of vetting other possible acquisitions to further enhance the portfolio of hydroponic and cultivation supply products. We are certainly excited about our prospects for the remaining part of this year and into next year.”

The Local Picture

Even with such bold moves, it’s not possible for a company to expand everywhere at once, and hydroponic suppliers must choose where to focus. A focus on states with a strong presence in hemp is a good way to ensure a large market for supplies.

One area that’s rich in potential is Kentucky. A state with a strong history of tobacco growing, Kentucky is facing the reality that people are moving away from smoking. Hemp offers an alternative cash crop that some of the state’s farmers have been quick to leap upon. Approximately 16,000 acres of hemp were planted in Kentucky last year, and this is expected to nearly triple to 42,000 acres in 2019. The state has already received five times more applications to grow hemp this year than last. Sugarmade is catering to this boom through a supply agreement with Kentucky-based Hempistry Inc., which will help Hempistry achieve the nearly tenfold increase in hemp growing it has planned this year.

Sugarmade is also developing strong distribution channels in California, one of the first states to change its laws and embrace the rise of hemp. California’s large population and positive attitude towards CBD and hemp makes it another prime target for expansion.

By becoming an integral link in hemp production in these high-production states, Sugarmade grows organically by brand expansion, locks in revenues and is positioned to capture an outsized market share across the United States.

Competition Heats Up

The rapid rise of hemp and hemp-related markets has meant that a growing number of companies are jockeying for position in the hemp and CBD sectors, and some of them are seeing serious expansion.

Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY), a Canadian company, has been expanding through acquisitions. The company recently acquired Manitoba Harvest, the largest hemp foods company in the world, to give it a position in a strategically important portion of the hemp market. This comes alongside other initiatives such as a move into Europe. These strategic moves have won praise for Tilray’s leadership team.

Another Canadian company and one of the largest in the sector, Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) is making strong moves to expand south in the wake of the Farm Bill. It has established a hemp-production facility in New York state and acquired hemp enterprise AgriNextUSA. This allows the company to make the most of America’s swing towards hemp and work to become a leading player as the market heats up across North America. Canopy Growth already has an extensive range of licenses and distribution deals north of the border, giving it a strong base from which to build its U.S. business.

The excitement around hemp has drawn interest from companies outside the sector. Altria, the tobacco giant behind the Marlboro brand, is looking to expand its opportunities as tobacco faces ongoing challenges. Like many Kentucky farmers, Altria is looking to hemp and related products for potential solutions. It recently closed a deal to invest C$2.4 billion in Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON), providing Altria with a way into the hemp sector. The funds will give Cronos resources to expand during this critical phase of market growth in the States.

In testament to value, Aphria (NYSE: APHA) (TSX: APHA) is fending off a hostile takeover by Green Growth Brands. In addition, Aphria recently received a license amendment to expand its growing space, which makes it an appealing prospect for other companies looking to increase their capacity.

The hemp bonanza has just begun. Like every new market, shakeouts and consolidations are bound to happen. The strong will survive while the weak will fail. The same holds true for the hydroponic suppliers. Given the circumstances, it’s inconceivable that many small suppliers will survive. The victors will be those who can get to markets early and scale through agreements and acquisitions. Sugarmade is making all the right moves to not just survive but also thrive.

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

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CBD Industry Set to Explode as New Products, Consumers Enter Market

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: The U.S. Farm Bill that recently passed into law is a game-changer for the CBD space. While it is unknown when nationwide cannabis legalization may occur, incredible opportunities exist right now for CBD-focused companies that can deliver products to the marketplace.

Demand is growing for organic CBD products in markets where such products are legal.
Youngevity has made a series of strategic acquisitions to help establish the company’s position
Companies ready to deliver CBD products to market at scale are in ideal position to capitalize on growing demand.

Passage of the latest U.S. Farm Bill marked a watershed moment for CBD producers in the United States. Not only does the new body of law allow these producers to commercialize existing CBD products, the door is now open for a new generation of research into what CBD can do for consumers. Youngevity International Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) (YGYI Profile) is a leading producer of consumer-focused CBD products that is expanding its reach into other areas of the CBD supply chain. It joins companies such as CV Sciences Inc. (OTCQB: CVSI), Isodiol International Inc. (CSE: ISOL) (OTCQB: ISOLF), GW Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) (OTC: GWPRF), and Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: CURLF) (CSE: CURA), which are all working to commercialize CBD products in both the consumer and pharmaceutical sectors.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

CBD Offers New Opportunities for Bold Thinkers

The market for CBD products is exploding and likely will continue to grow as these products become more available. Because CBD can be made in a laboratory, an increasing amount of synthetically produced CBD has been entering the market. However, many CBD proponents contend that organic CBD (CBD extracted from hemp plants) is superior to synthetic CBD.

Youngevity International Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) produces a range of consumer-focused CBD products, but the company is growing its reach via strategic acquisitions. Sourcing organic CBD has been an issue for many manufacturers, which may be why Youngevity recently acquired Khrysos Global — a CBD producer based in Florida.

Following the announcement of this acquisition to the public, YGYI president and CFO Dave Briskie commented, “We set out a plan to create a vertical opportunity in the hemp space. This is a significant step as it relates to the production, cultivation, and extraction of hemp, CBD oil, as well as other CBs (cannabinoids). . . . We proudly welcome Dwayne Dundore, as the President of newly formed Khyrsos (sic) Industries along with his entire and very capable team at Khrysos and INX Labs.”

Dundore was equally enthusiastic about the announcement, saying, “I am really excited to be a YGYI shareholder and part of the Youngevity Family. I look forward to making a meaningful contribution to both the top and bottom line of the company and feel strongly that our capabilities and plans for expansion should create additional value for myself and all shareholders.”

CBD Ready to Take the Market by Storm

Unlike THC, which is a highly psychoactive alkaloid found in cannabis, CBD has a calming effect in most people. In addition, CBD can be legally sold without a prescription and is being integrated into many consumer products.

CBD companies that can create good connections with their client bases should be able to grow into this burgeoning market. Recognizing this, Youngevity has made a series of strategic acquisitions that could help establish the company’s position as a leader in 21^st-century cannabis development. The company’s takeover of Khrysos Global netted it a solid supply of organic CBD, as Khrysos has both cannabis cultivation property and facilities to refine CBD oil.

With that backdrop, Youngevity recently launched HempFX to sell its products directly to consumers. For the moment, the company is offering hemp oils. Its product line may increase as additional research and development brings more ideas to market.

A Coffee Door Opener

Youngevity is also ready to bring a CBD-infused coffee to market. Its recent acquisition of Khrysos Global brought CBD-testing laboratories to the company, looking to leave Youngevity in a position to take full advantage of the new U.S. CBD laws. One of the biggest hurdles for manufacturers of CBD products is making sure the products contain a repeatable dose of CBD. Through careful testing, Youngevity has overcome this obstacle in its coffee, which reliably delivers 10mg of CBD in every cup.

The new coffee will be made by Youngevity’s wholly owned subsidiary CLR Roasters. According to the company, the new product will be sold in four flavors and will be available to consumers later this year.

CLR Roasters president Ernesto Aguila commented, “We are extremely pleased with the taste of the product, and the samples that we have provided to a host of retailers have led to strong reviews as well. It is very exciting to bring a new product to market that has so much interest within the coffee beverage category. I have not seen a door opener like this since Javalution Coffee Company created the first fortified coffees.”

Market Viability Looks Strong

CBD has essentially been illegal since modern medicine began. Now that it is legal to produce and distribute CBD in the United States, early movers in the space are setting themselves up for potentially massive profits. Numerous companies are focusing on developing better CBD-infused products, creating new forms of consumer-focused CBD consumables and getting those products to consumers as quickly and easily as possible.

CV Sciences Inc. (OTCQB: CVSI) is working to commercialize CBD products for both consumers and the medical community. Its pharmaceutical division is looking to create a CBD-based medicine that can be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Now that CBD is 100 percent legal at a federal level in the United States, the company should be able to make progress on this project. Its consumer division is developing a range of products that can be sold to health food stores or directly to its customers. As CBD use has become more widespread, there is a growing amount of feedback from users to support its continued development.

Isodiol International Inc. (CSE: ISOL) (OTCQB: ISOLF) has built a CBD-focused business with operations in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries. Kevin Swadish, the company’s chief revenue officer, commented, “The legalities of hemp-based CBD are becoming more favorable, and consumer awareness of CBD is rapidly rising. As a result, we believe the greatest growth opportunities in the industry, and for Isodiol, lie in the consumer packaged goods marketplace.” The company has built up an operation with more than 200 employees and consultants globally, which demonstrates the interest CBD has generated in recent years.

GW Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) (OTC: GWPRF) developed the first marijuana-derived pharmaceutical to be approved by the FDA. Epidiolex, which contains CBD, was designed to treat Dravet syndrome and was the first drug ever approved to treat this rare form of epilepsy in the U.S. Sales of the drug began last November, and according to recent financial results posted by the company, Epidiolex has garnered substantial interest. Epidiolex sales totaled around $4.7 million in the last quarter, with more than 4,500 new patient enrollment forms during the first two months the drug was available. The positive results from Epidiolex sales were well received, and investors bid the company’s shares higher after they were announced.

Getting CBD products into the hands of consumers is also a focus for savvy companies looking to the future. Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: CURLF) (CSE: CURA) recently announced a distribution deal with CVS Health Corp. Under the new deal, the retail pharmacy and healthcare company will begin selling products infused with the trendy, nonintoxicating hemp component at more than 800 of its stores nationwide. CVS confirmed that it has started selling CBD creams, sprays and lotions in eight states, including California, Illinois, Colorado and Alabama. The products will be sold in store aisles. “We’ve been having dialogue with national retailers for many months now,” said Curaleaf chief executive officer Joseph Lusardi. “We’ve got a number of potentially exciting partnerships in the pipeline.”

Growing hemp and refining it into CBD could become profitable for companies that can do it efficiently, especially if public demand grows faster than production capacity. Youngevity may be picking up on this emerging market dynamic and securing its supplies of organic CBD while the industry is still in its infancy.

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

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420 with CNW – Ontario Marijuana Stores Open as Fines Loom

When recreational marijuana was legalized across Canada on October 17, 2018, Ontario decided to start by only availing cannabis through a website run by the provincial government. Brick-and-mortar stores were slated to open in April this year, and yesterday (April 1) was the first day of storefront sales.

The provincial government decided to use an unconventional way to select which applicants would be granted the first 25 recreational cannabis retail licenses early this year. It used a lottery to select the lucky 25 businesses to be first to open retail stores. Originally, the plan was to license as many retailers as needed.

However, the persistent countrywide supply shortages compelled the government to change its plan and issue only 25 licenses in preparation for the April 1 deadline for the commencement of brick-and-mortar retail sales of pot.

The entities that participated in the lottery were fully aware that the licenses they received were subject to strict conditions, such as being ready to open by April 1.

Those that didn’t open their stores on that first day would face a fine of $12,500, and the fines would escalate the longer the business didn’t open. This penalty would be deducted from the $50,000 letter of credit that the applicants submitted as part of the preconditions for participating in the lottery.

If a licensee is unable to start operations by this month’s end, that business risks losing the entire $50,000 covered by that letter of credit.

That threat is likely to hit several businesses, since only 10 were able to fulfill all the licensing conditions in order to open on April 1. The race is therefore on for the remaining 15 businesses to reduce the fines that they will suffer as a result of their inability to open on the first day of storefront sales.

Meanwhile, Ontario residents have been waiting eagerly for the retail stores to open. This can be evidenced by the hundreds who started queuing as early as 4 a.m. in order to be among the first to buy pot in a “real store”.

Why would one sacrifice their sleep and yet recreational marijuana is already available online in the province? Each person has his or her own reasons, but a few seem to cut across.

For example, many are excited and want to be witnesses to the making of history in the province. To such people, the experience of walking into a store and paying for cannabis is something that truly marks the end of prohibition, and they wanted to experience it firsthand.

Many other people say that they are lining up at the stores because it gives them a better shopping experience. For instance, one can smell a product before deciding whether to buy it, something that isn’t possible when you order online. Stores also give you a chance to get up close and personal with the different products before you take your pick of what is available. This is worth lining for, they say.

ChineseInvestors.com (OTCQB: CIIX) and Choom Holdings Inc. (CSE: CHOO) (OTCQB: CHOOF) hope that the residents of Ontario can enjoy buying from these retail outlets without being hindered by supply shortages.

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