420 with CNW – Fewer Teens Used Pot after Medical Marijuana Legalization, Study Finds

It was always feared that teen pot use would go through the roof as more states legalized marijuana either for medical or recreational use. However, a recent study has found that the contrary is happening as fewer teens reported using marijuana in the states where medical cannabis is legal.

The researchers found that the states where medical cannabis is legal had 1.1 percent fewer teens taking pot when compared to the states where no medical cannabis laws exist.

While that overall statistic looks small, the figures take on greater importance when one examines the data for various groups of teens. For example, there was a 2.7 percent reduction among high school males while pot use decreased by 3.9 percent among African-American students. Similarly, there was a drop of 2.7 percent observed among Hispanic students.

The researchers who came up with these findings are based at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston College. The team was led by Rebekah Levine Coley.

The researchers used data collected by the U.S. CDC during the Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted every other year.

Coley’s team focused on the data collected between 1999 and 2015. This data involved about 860,000 students in 45 states.

The researchers tracked how teen pot use had been changing during that 16-year timeframe. Results for states that enacted medical marijuana laws were compared to those of states where medical cannabis remained illegal.

Interestingly, the researchers found that the drop in teen pot use increased the longer a state had medical cannabis laws on its books. For example, teens were nine percent less likely to use marijuana if a state had medical marijuana laws that were less than five years old while the odds of a teen using marijuana reduced by 32 percent for states that legalized medical marijuana ten years ago.

Coley explains that some theories could account for this reduction of teen pot use in states where medical marijuana has been legalized.

First, the drop may be because the adolescents start viewing marijuana as something used as a medicine, so they no longer have the urge to use it recreationally.

Secondly, the change in marijuana laws may have prompted parents to start talking to their kids about marijuana use, as well as supervising them to ensure that they aren’t using drugs.

However, some people have criticized the conclusions of this research saying that the researchers didn’t consider the states where recreational marijuana is legal. Coley and her team responded that they were now turning their attention to studying the data from states where adult-use marijuana laws are in place.

Be that as it may, the cannabis industry, especially Earth Science Tech Inc. (OTCQB: ETST) and FinCanna Capital Corp. (CSE: CALI) (OTCQB: FNNZF) welcomes this study because it helps to dispel some of the false information circulated about marijuana.

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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More Mergers Expected as Cannabis Sector Heads into New Year of Growth

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Several years of impressive growth are expected to continue in the cannabis sector in 2019, and companies are making the most of it through mergers and acquisitions.

  • The cannabis industry has seen growth in acquisitions over the past two years.
  • A large part of this comes from the emergence of the hemp/CBD market.
  • Industry commentators expect these trends to continue.

SinglePoint Inc. (OTCQB: SING) (SING Profile) is tapping into this exciting potential through a strategy of well-financed acquisitions and investment in other cannabis companies. PotNetwork Holdings Inc. (OTC: POTN) has built up a series of subsidiaries and is now reaching out to mainstream markets with its products. KushCo Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: KSHB) has recently established new supply arrangements that will increase its already growing profits. Following the legalization of hemp farming, CV Sciences Inc. (OTCQB: CVSI) has become one of the United States’ first certified hemp producers. And The Green Organic Dutchman (OTCQX: TGODF) (TSX: TGOD) (TGOD Profile) is building improved cultivation facilities to meet the demand of cannabis’s growing customer base.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

The Cannabis Merger Boom

Over the past year, the cannabis industry has seen a significant new trend emerge. So far, the industry has mostly been made up of small businesses, but a series of mergers and acquisitions have started to change the layout of the land. The larger, more confident cannabis businesses have started to absorb their smaller competitors, creating businesses with greater efficiency, vertical integration and increased market shares.

This boom in cannabis mergers and acquisitions extends beyond committed cannabis companies. Top-tier businesses have started paying attention to the sector, buying substantial holdings in cannabis companies. Cannabis companies themselves have encouraged this interest, seeking outside help to fuel their growth.

The Merger Market

For companies building a strategy around cannabis acquisitions, such as SinglePoint Inc. (OTCQB: SING), current trends are legitimizing what they already held to be true — that there’s great potential in building larger, more diverse cannabis companies through mergers and acquisitions.

The numbers are clear. Eighty-six cannabis companies in the United States were targeted for mergers and acquisitions in 2017, and that number rose to 140 in 2018. That’s a significant increase two years in a row for an industry that’s previously been driven by small start-ups, and commentators expect the trend to continue. In Canada, recreational legalization has triggered an intensive period of ambitious growth. In the United States, the illegality of transporting cannabis across state lines has discouraged expansion beyond the state level, but companies are starting to overcome that barrier, finding ways to run nationwide businesses in a state-by-state market.

For SinglePoint, this means making moves such as the company’s recent significant investment in TorusMed, an organization working on finding new ways to grow industrial hemp. Hemp is an important subset of the cannabis industry — and one that looks set to expand, thanks to federal legalization of the crop under the 2018 Farm Bill.

The bill allows cultivators to grow hemp for cannabidiol (CBD), an increasingly popular component, without the restrictions placed on other forms of cannabis. SinglePoint’s work with TorusMed is aimed at producing more consistent crops of high-CBD hemp with lower costs because of TorusMed’s greater efficiency. The investment appears to provide an effective way for SinglePoint to gain an advantage in the cannabis sector across the United States and beyond.

SinglePoint’s investment in TorusMed isn’t an isolated example. SinglePoint has built a solid strategy around acquisitions and investment. SinglePoint President Wil Ralston appeared on MoneyTV to discuss the company’s financing options for acquisitions, and in November, SinglePoint announced that it had raised $5 million in fresh funding from its own investors for the explicit purpose of fueling this approach. Thanks to the confidence of the market in the future of cannabis, SinglePoint has had no trouble raising funds or gaining attention for its work.

A Growing Industry

One of the reasons SinglePoint has seen such success in finding funding is the wider growth of the cannabis sector.

In the United States, where SinglePoint is based, cannabis legalization has steadily been spreading on a state level. Thirty-three states have now made the drug legal for medical purposes, while 10 have made recreational cannabis legal. North of the border, Canada has become the first G8 country to legalize cannabis nationally, not only setting an international precedent but also generating interest from American companies. The spread of public health solutions to cannabis use over prohibitory ones has become an international trend, creating a global cannabis market.

Over the past five years, this trend has led in a surprising direction: hemp and CBD. Hemp is a form of cannabis that doesn’t contain THC, the chemical that produces a high in users. Related to that trend, researchers have found growing evidence that CBD, a nonpsychoactive ingredient found in all strains of cannabis, may be beneficial for health and well-being.

This promising research has led to a surge in hemp cultivation and even the legalization of hemp farming in the United States, a move that is expected to provide a lifeline for many struggling farmers. Hemp cultivation is an increasingly large portion of the cannabis market, and one that the deal with TorusMed will help SinglePoint access.

Based on both this shift for hemp and wider trends, commentators are predicting even greater growth in 2019 and beyond; one report has calculated that the industry will be worth $146.4 billion by 2025. Even half that growth would provide a huge opportunity for companies such as SinglePoint, and if the industry actually reaches that figure, current players could be big winners.

Positioning for Advantage

It is in this context that SinglePoint, a company whose other work lies in the tech sector, has made the move to expand its position in cannabis. Through its SingleSeed subsidiary, SinglePoint has become a distributor of hemp-derived CBD products at a critical moment.

“It seems like two years ago I started to hear a little bit about CBD and what it was doing for people,” said SinglePoint CEO Greg Lambrecht. “Momentum has really been building for CBD. People are using it for a variety of things. As CBD becomes legal, you’re going to see this product sold in more traditional stores like Walgreens and 7-Eleven. We’re really excited about our online presence, but we’re also very focused on putting this product into retail too.”

The cannabis market has already been seeing steady growth. The legalization of hemp is likely to continue this promising trend. Companies such as SinglePoint that have raised funding and established a foothold in the hemp sector appear to be well positioned to take advantage of that change.

Lining Up for Growth

Of course, It’s not just a matter of making mergers and acquisitions, it’s making the right ones. Several other companies join SinglePoint in making those sound decisions. Among the companies making significant mergers and acquisitions in cannabis are holding companies such as PotNetwork Holdings Inc. (OTC: POTN). PotNetwork’s subsidiaries cover various parts of the cannabis industry, including production, sales and support; its subsidiaries include Diamond CBD Inc., which produces a line of CBD-based oils, creams and edibles.

Like SinglePoint, KushCo Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: KSHB) has entered the cannabis sector from elsewhere through an interest in providing other services to cannabis companies. In KushCo’s case, this was packaging solutions, the sort of unglamorous but important service that any industry needs. KushCo has since expanded its work in the sector, creating a one-stop shop for cannabis products. This approach paved the way for KushCo to secure new long-term supply arrangements with three large companies, agreements expected to be worth $75 million. Having already seen its quarterly revenues rise 186 percent on the same period last year, 2019 is off to a strong start for KushCo.

CV Sciences Inc. (OTCQB: CVSI) has a business rooted in the fundamentals of the cannabis market, with two distinct business segments: research and development, and consumer products. Following the recent founding of the U.S. Hemp Authority certification program, CV Sciences has become one of the country’s first certified hemp manufacturers. This certification provides CV Science customers assurance about the quality and safety of the company’s products, including verifying that its products are made entirely from hemp and not from other cannabis strains.

The Green Organic Dutchman (OTCQX: TGODF) (TSX: TGOD) produces organic, sustainably grown cannabis, catering to the substantial part of the cannabis market concerned with the environment and ethical farming. The company is building two new growing facilities and has been looking for ways to improve its designs as it builds. Recent improvements will increase production capacity from 156,000kg of cannabis to 202,500kg.

While improvements in technology, techniques and certification are helping companies tap into the growing cannabis sector, mergers and acquisitions are also allowing companies to access all of these while increasing their market share. Those who make the right moves now could benefit from dramatic growth over the next few years.

For more information on SinglePoint, visit SinglePoint Inc. (OTCQB: SING)

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 – Judge Faults Walmart in Arizona Medical Cannabis Case

A federal judge in Arizona has faulted Walmart for dismissing an employee who tested positive for cannabis even after that employee informed her employer that she had a valid medical marijuana card issued by the state.

It all started when Carol Whitmire sustained an injury while doing her work in one of Walmart’s stores in May 2016. Whitmire, who had worked with the same company for eight years, was immediately rushed to receive medical care after the accident. Blood and urine samples were also taken for analysis as part of Walmart’s policy.

Whitmire informed the HR department about her status as a medical cardholder after that incident and she continued to work after she recovered. However, she was terminated in July for being in contravention of Walmart’s policy on drugs.

Consequently, Whitmire sued Walmart for discrimination and wrongful dismissal. Walmart responded by telling court that it had a right to dismiss Whitmire due to her positive drugs test results.

However, court disagreed and pointed out that Walmart failed to prove that the positive drugs test indicated that Carol Whitmire had been working while intoxicated with marijuana. Had Walmart provided such proof, the court may have considered their assertion that they had good faith in terminating Whitmire.

Whitmire’s attorney, Joshua Carden, applauded the decision of Judge James Teilborg. Carden said that the judge had set a precedent that paved the way for private right-of-action lawsuits under the Arizona medical marijuana laws.

Joshua Carden revealed that the court would soon set a date for delivering its ruling regarding the possibility of reinstating Whitmire, as well as determining how much is due to her for damages and costs for the suits she filed.

Walmart was also glad that the federal court dismissed some of the claims made by Carol Whitmire in her suit. The company reiterated its ceaseless efforts to provide a safe environment for all its customers and associates.

Cases like Carol Whitmire’s are likely to crop up frequently because there is a lot that is still not known about cannabis. For example, for how long can someone remain impaired after consuming cannabis? Part of the reasons why Walmart couldn’t be justified to fire Whitmire is that it wasn’t clear whether a positive drugs test meant that Whitmire was under the influence while at work. Until scientific studies resolve this grey area, employers and employees will not be certain where the boundary is.

All in all, Cannabis Strategic Ventures, Inc. (OTC: NUGS) as well as Canopy Rivers Inc. (TSX.V: RIV) (OTC: CNPOF) welcome the judgment that made it clear that patients using medical marijuana legally will not lose their jobs just because they test positive for cannabis.

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 – Demand Soars as UK Customers Fear CBD Drinks Ban

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK has triggered panic buying after it announced that CBD drinks fall under the “novel” products category as stipulated by the EU. This classification means that such “novel” products can only be available for sale after being tested and approved.

2018 saw an explosion of CBD-based products on the UK market. These included CBD chocolates, sweets, cakes and even pet products. All these products hit the market amidst a rise in the popularity of CBD.

However, January saw the FSA vowing to exert more control over CBD products on the market. It called on local authorities to work with it to remove any CBD products that were being sold without undergoing the required public safety tests.

As a result of that announcement, customers are rushing to bulk buy CBD drinks just in case the regulator makes good on the threat to pull CBD products from retail shelves.

Green Monkey Drinks (the first UK company to make carbonated CBD drinks) revealed that its online sales have jumped by 8,000 percent ever since the FSA made its ruling. They believe that this rise in sales can be attributed to customers who are trying to stockpile CBD products.

Green Monkey Drinks expressed disappointment that the Food Standards Agency hasn’t been in touch with the different companies that have invested heavily in the CBD industry. The drinks maker believes that the regulator hasn’t taken the right decision given the fact that the World Health Organization has just asserted that CBD is safe and should therefore not be subjected to any international controls.

For its part, the FSA insists that its decision is based on the changes that were made to the Novel Food Catalogue of the EU. The EU says players in the CBD industry failed to prove that CBD products have a history of consumption dating back to 1997 or earlier within the EU. This means that CBD is a novel product which should not be allowed on the market without undergoing safety testing and approval.

The FSA therefore wants to find a way forward in light of the decision made by the EU. They intend to meet different stakeholders, such as CBD product manufacturers and local authorities in order to clarify how the different players will execute their role in ensuring that the CBD industry complies with the existing laws.

ChineseInvestors.com (OTCQB: CIIX) as well as Choom Holdings Inc. (CSE: CHOO) (OTCQB: CHOOF) hope that the UK regulator finds a solution that addresses the regulatory needs without stifling the nascent CBD industry there.

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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Savvy Companies Make Acquisition Moves in Booming Cannabis Industry

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: As the cannabis sector consistently shows impressive growth, acquisitions within the market allow cannabis companies to develop greater vertical integration.

  • Cannabis companies are looking to acquire other organizations to strengthen specialist knowledge and skills.
  • Similar moves have led to impressive success in industries such as coffee production.
  • The strength of the cannabis market is also attracting other additional investment.

Youngevity International Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) (YGYI Profile) is following the vertically integrated model, having recently acquired a company specializing in cannabis processing machinery. Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) finalized an all-cash transaction to acquire one of the world’s most technologically advanced vaporizer companies. In an all-stock option, Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) agreed to purchase a British Columbia-based craft grower, which offers premium organic products produced at low volumes. Late last year, MedMen Enterprises Inc (OTCQX: MMNFF) signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of one of the largest medical cannabis providers in the United States. And with the cannabis sector as a whole seeing healthy growth, GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) recently completing a public offering to fund further growth, raising $345 million to expand its cannabis-oriented pharmaceuticals work.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here

Cannabis Companies Turn to Vertical Integration

The global cannabis industry continues to grow — especially in the United States and Canada — creating promising opportunities for companies eager to find ways to improve their productivity and leverage their strengths. A wide range of companies covering the production, processing, marketing, and sales of cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD) products are vying for a position in the space. Consequently, smart organizations are looking for ways stand out from the rest.

Many are opting for vertical integration. Their strategy is simple and straightforward — by bringing together production, processing and distribution, companies can cut costs, improve efficiency and ensure quality control.

Acquisitions for Growth

This all-under-one-roof strategy is one that the management at Youngevity International Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) not only believes in but has successfully applied. A leading omni-directional lifestyle company, Youngevity recently moved into the cannabis sector through investment in CBD.

CBD is one of two significant active ingredients found in cannabis. Unlike THC, which until a few years ago was the best-known of these chemicals, the nonpsychoactive CBD does not induce the highs or impairment that accompanies THC. In addition, recent research has indicated that CBD could have a broad range of benefits general well-being and health, leading to a burgeoning market for CBD products. This promising research, along with a growing popular acceptance of cannabis, has led to a resurgence in the growth of hemp — a variety of cannabis that can be rich in CBD but low in THC — and hemp-based products.

Youngevity saw the opportunity and entered the cannabis space last year, with the release of its Hemp FX product line. Hemp FX products are designed to help consumers relax and soothe muscle pain. As it launches this new product offering, the company will leverage the success it has already seen through its hybrid model of direct selling, social selling and e-commerce.

To further take advantage of this opportunity, Youngevity has announced its acquisition of Khrysos Global, a large hemp and CBD machine manufacturing company. Khrysos’s proprietary technology is specifically designed to extract active ingredients from hemp and cannabis, thereby providing the best possible yields from crops. The company also offers planning and consulting for cannabis companies looking to take full advantage of technology throughout the extraction process.

“Our acquisition of Khrysos is extremely exciting on a number of levels,” said Youngevity CEO Steve Wallach. “Beyond the fact that Khrysos’ hemp-CBD extraction technology is far more efficient than most anything else on the market, we’re acquiring a turnkey business model here. Their systems are applicable to the entire industry and are immediately implementable across our own line of HempFX products as well as in offtake agreements we have through our existing business relationships. We see this as providing not only immense value to our company, but also to our investors–by selling not just the extraction systems, but also servicing and operating those systems via a rental model, they will provide us with continuous, ongoing profitability.”

Field to Finish

The Khrysos acquisition appears to be a logical step for Youngevity, not only because of the company’s interest in the hemp market but also because of its already-proven business model. This model, which the company refers to as “field to finish,” has been successfully tested through its CLR Roasters subsidiary.

In this model, CLR is involved in every stage in the coffee production process, from farming and green coffee distribution to roasting and sales of branded goods. This vertically integrated approach includes a plantation and dry-roasting facility in Nicaragua, established U.S. facilities and sales networks, and the company’s own coffee brand. The comprehensive approach allows the company to control the entire process of coffee production from the field to the consumer’s cup, not only delivering profit at every level but ensuring the quality and the reputation of the company’s branded products.

The acquisition of Khrysos and a 20 percent ownership stake in the Carolina Cannabis Company allows Youngevity to follow a similar model in the cannabis sector. By taking ownership of the production, processing, branding and sales of its CBD product line, the company plans to profit every step of the way, while also ensuring that its products are produced both efficiently and to the highest standards.

The acquisition also gathers the skills and experience of Khrysos’s technical and managerial staff under the same roof as Youngevity’s already assembled team, another critical advantage. The cannabis sector is still young, and smart companies regularly evaluate and refine their processes as the industry grows and evolves. Having specialist knowledge about the equipment used in processing cannabis will only strengthen Youngevity’s ability to be nimble and adapt, optimizing its processing systems and ensuring a smooth supply chain and efficient manufacturing.

Like any win-win acquisition, both the purchasing company and the company being acquired are set to benefit from the deal. Youngevity’s experience in reaching customers will provide opportunities for the technology developed by Khrysos to expand and reach a wider market, scaling up its equipment and advisory business.

“This is an exhilarating time for us,” said Dave Briskie, president and CFO of Youngevity. “This is just the first step Youngevity plans to take as we look to continue developing in the hemp-derived CBD industry. Right now, that industry is expanding so quickly that companies are struggling to keep up with demand. So acquiring the production capabilities of Khrysos, and adapting a creative model that allows us to upscale the usage of its technologies across our own properties and the properties of our partners — I feel — really stakes our claim within the industry at large.”

An Industry Expanding

Youngevity’s work represents only one part of a broader wave of expansion for the cannabis industry.

Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) has acquired Storz & Bickel, a vaporizer design and manufacturing company with a 22-year track record of breakthrough innovations. The move brings together the world’s most technologically advanced vaporizer company and world’s leading cannabis company and will enhance Canopy Growth’s product device development capabilities. Canopy Growth is dedicated to advancing the world’s perception of cannabis by focusing on research, product development, and innovative production capabilities by offering brands consumers can trust.

In January, Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) signed a letter of intent to acquire Whistler Medical Marijuana Corporation in an all-share transaction valued at up to approximately $175 million. Whistler has developed one of Canada’s most iconic cannabis brands, built on quality, award-winning organic certified BC bud. The Transaction is expected to provide Aurora with a premium and differentiated organic certified product suite, expanding both its medical and adult-use offerings, and reinforcing Aurora’s presence in the well-established west coast cannabis market.

In one of the largest cannabis acquisitions in history, MedMen Enterprises Inc. (OTCQX: MMNFF) entered an agreement for the acquisition of Chicago-based PharmaCann, one of the largest medical cannabis providers in the U.S. The move is will permit the company to operate 76 retail stores and 16 cultivation and production facilities in 12 states. Through the transaction, MedMen is anticipated to add licenses in Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Virginia and Michigan.

A world leader in the development of cannabis-related medicine, GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) has built a strong research program and developed remarkable manufacturing expertise. With its public-offering expansion, the already-strong company becomes a major presence in one of the most attractive investment sectors. This funding allows GW Pharmaceuticals to keep growing its impressive research and production work.

With these strategic moves made by companies intent on leveraging their positions in the growing cannabis market, the time appears ripe for interested investors to take a closer look at the industry’s potential.

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

About CannabisNewsWire

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

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

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

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

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

420 with CNW – EU Parliament Votes to Support Medical Cannabis

On Wednesday (February 13), the European Union Parliament passed a resolution that will help to advance research into medical cannabis within the EU. This resolution comes hot on the heels of a recommendation by the World Health Organization (WHO) to reschedule cannabis internationally.

While the resolution passed in the EU Parliament isn’t binding, it provides encouragement to EU member states to increase their citizens’ access to medical marijuana. The resolution also calls on member countries to prioritize research and clinical studies on marijuana.

This resolution passed by the EU Parliament provides yet another voice in support of medical marijuana. The World Health Organization also recommended that cannabis be rescheduled in recognition of its therapeutic potential while also being aware that the drug can be addictive. A final vote is expected in March to cement the position of the UN on the recommendations made by the WHO expert committee that studied the matter at great length.

The EU resolution also goes further to call on member states to set standards for all non-pharmaceutical cannabis products in a bid to protect consumers.

Member states were also called upon to address all the legal, cultural, regulatory and financial barriers that have stood in the way of scientific research on marijuana and its medicinal uses. To put this appeal into context, consider the U.S. federal government’s laws on marijuana. Those laws make it hard for researchers to conduct any meaningful studies since cannabis is federally illegal and isn’t recognized as having any therapeutic value.

Additionally, only one cultivator (based in Mississippi) is mandated to provide all the cannabis needed for any approved research in the U.S. The cannabis from this facility is notorious for its poor quality (if researchers can manage to secure that marijuana in the first place). Such barriers have made the U.S. to lag behind in cannabis research. The EU resolution seeks to fix such problems amongst EU member states.

The members of the European Parliament also agreed that it was necessary to establish case-specific therapies for the medicinal use of cannabis. For example, does someone with chronic pain require the same concentration of THC and CBD (among other ingredients) as another person who wants to use medical cannabis to treat or manage insomnia? Scientific research should be able to answer such questions, according to the EU Parliament.

VIVO Cannabis Inc. (TSX.V: VIVO) (OTCQX: VVCIF) and Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) welcome the decisions made by the EU Parliament and the World Health organization regarding the medical benefits of marijuana.

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 – Green Growth Brands Set to Open CBD Shops across the US

Green Growth Brands, a cannabis company headquartered in Ohio, has partnered with Simon Property Group to open at least 100 CBD shops in malls across the U.S. Simon Property Group is the biggest owner of malls in the U.S.

John Rulli, the President of Simon Malls, revealed in a press statement that the shopping experience provided by Green Growth Brands was exactly what they are constantly on the lookout for, and that was why they were adding GGB shops in the malls owned by Simon Property Group.

The two entities intend to work together to open a minimum of 108 CBD shops in 2019, and then further expansion will take place in the coming years.

Castleton Square Mall in Indianapolis will have the honor of hosting the first Green Growth Brands CBD shop in March this year with other shops following closely in the coming months.

Green Growth Brands is also having discussions with several other property developers so that a total of 300 CBD shops can be opened during this year. This number includes the 108 shops that will be opened in the malls owned by Simon Property Group.

This partnership between Simon Property Group and Green Growth Brands offers each side unique benefits. For example, Green Growth Brands will have a chance to popularize its CBD wellness products by taking advantage of some of the prominent malls owned by the property group. Such prominent shelf-space will deepen awareness about CBD.

As for Simon Property Group, they will benefit by having a large company as a tenant across the U.S. This is a huge benefit because mall owners have been facing the nightmare of having large clients closing shop or scaling back the number of locations where they operate. A clear example is Sears that went bankrupt.

It is worth noting that the signing into law of the Farm Bill 2018 legalized hemp and the different products that can be got from it, such as cannabidiol (CBD).

However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) still prohibits the addition of CBD to foods and drinks. This may make it hard for restaurants and other businesses to legally sell CBD-infused cocktails and other drinks.

The CBD shops set up by Green Growth Brands can be a way to provide high-quality CBD products so that buyers can make their own CBD drinks if they cannot access them at coffee shops or restaurants.

Therma Bright, Inc. (TSX.V: THRM) (OTC: THRBF) and TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) congratulate Green Growth Brands upon this landmark deal it has finalized with Simon Property Group.

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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Vertical Integration Offers Profit Potential within Growing Cannabis Industry

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: As the cannabis industry continues its impressive growth, acquisitions are leading to greater vertical integration.

  • Companies within the cannabis sector are acquiring other organizations to benefit from valuable specialist knowledge and skills.
  • Such deals allow vertically integrated value chains, as have also been applied in industries such as coffee production.
  • This comes amid wider growth in the sector, which is drawing substantial outside investment.

Youngevity International Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) (YGYI Profile) is following the vertically integrated model, having recently acquired a company specializing in cannabis processing machinery. Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is expanding its Canadian production facilities through the acquisition of another grower. Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch Inbev (NYSE: BUD) (OTC: BUDFF) has partnered with Tilray to produce cannabis-infused drinks. In addition, tobacco companies are investing in the sector, providing extra funds for companies such as Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON). Specialist companies such as cannabis real estate finance company Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. (NYSE: IIPR) are also looking for entry positions in the industry.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Cannabis Companies Turn to Vertical Integration

As the global cannabis industry continues to grow — with North America taking a leading role — companies are eager to find ways to improve their productivity and stand out from the pack. A wide range of companies covering the production, processing, marketing, and sales of cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD) products are vying for a position in the space. So, what can give a company an edge?

Many are turning to vertical integration. By bringing together production, processing and distribution, companies can cut costs, improve efficiency and ensure quality control. It’s a strategy that has worked well in other parts of the economy, but can it work for cannabis?

Acquisitions for Growth

This all-under-one-roof strategy is definitely one that the management at Youngevity International, Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) believes in. A leading omni-directional lifestyle company, Youngevity has recently moved into the cannabis sector through investment in CBD.

CBD is one of two significant active ingredients found in cannabis. Unlike THC, which until a few years ago was the best-known of these chemicals, CBD is not psychoactive and does not deliver the highs or mental impairment that comes with THC. In addition, recent research has indicated that CBD could have a wide range of beneficial effects for health and well-being, leading to a burgeoning market for CBD products. This promising research, along with a growing popular acceptance of cannabis, has led to a resurgence in the growth of hemp — a variety of cannabis that can be rich in CBD but low in THC — and hemp-based products.

Youngevity entered this market last summer, with the launch of its Hemp FX product line, which includes products designed to soothe muscle pain and help consumers relax. This has provided a new product offering for a company that has already seen success with its hybrid model of direct selling, social selling and e-commerce.

To expand upon this opportunity, Youngevity has recently acquired Khrysos Global, a large hemp and CBD machine manufacturing company. Khrysos’s proprietary technology has been developed specifically to extract active ingredients from hemp and cannabis in order to provide the best possible yields from crops. The company also provides planning and consulting for cannabis companies looking to make use of technology in the extraction process.

“Our acquisition of Khrysos is extremely exciting on a number of levels,” said Youngevity CEO Steve Wallach. “Beyond the fact that Khrysos’ hemp-CBD extraction technology is far more efficient than most anything else on the market, we’re acquiring a turnkey business model here. Their systems are applicable to the entire industry and are immediately implementable across our own line of HempFX products as well as in offtake agreements we have through our existing business relationships. We see this as providing not only immense value to our company, but also to our investors–by selling not just the extraction systems, but also servicing and operating those systems via a rental model, they will provide us with continuous, ongoing profitability.”

Field to Finish

The acquisition is a natural move for Youngevity, not just because of the company’s interest in the hemp market but because of its established business model. This model, which the company refers to as “field to finish,” has been tested and proven through its CLR Roasters subsidiary.

CLR is invested in every stage in the coffee production process, from farming and green coffee distribution to roasting and sales of branded goods. Its vertically integrated model includes a plantation and dry-roasting facility in Nicaragua, established U.S. facilities and sales networks, and its own coffee brand. This comprehensive approach allows the company to control the entire process of coffee production from the field to the consumer’s cup, not only providing profit at every stage but ensuring the quality and the reputation of the company’s own products.

The acquisition of Khrysos and a 20 percent ownership stake in the Carolina Cannabis Company will allow Youngevity to establish a similar model in the cannabis sector. By taking ownership of the production, processing, branding and sales of CBD products, the company plans to profit from every stage in the process and ensure that its products are produced both efficiently and to the highest standards.

The acquisition brings the skills and experience of Khrysos’s technical and managerial staff in house at Youngevity, another critical advantage. The cannabis sector is still in its early days, and companies are regularly refining their processes the industry continues to evolve and grow. Having specialist knowledge about the equipment used in processing cannabis can only help the Youngevity optimize its processing systems, ensuring efficient manufacturing and a smooth supply chain.

Like any business savvy acquisition, this deal stands to benefit both the purchasing company and the one it is taking over. Youngevity’s scale and experience in reaching customers is designed to allow Khrysos’s technology to reach a wider market. Being part of a larger company provides an opportunity for Khrysos to expand, scaling up its equipment and advisory business.

“This is an exhilarating time for us,” said Dave Briskie, president and CFO of Youngevity. “This is just the first step Youngevity plans to take as we look to continue developing in the hemp-derived CBD industry. Right now, that industry is expanding so quickly that companies are struggling to keep up with demand. So acquiring the production capabilities of Khrysos, and adapting a creative model that allows us to upscale the usage of its technologies across our own properties and the properties of our partners — I feel — really stakes our claim within the industry at large.”

An Industry Expanding

Youngevity’s work represents only one part of a broader wave of expansion for the cannabis industry.

Canadian cannabis company Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is among those using acquisitions to fuel growth. Tilray recently announced the pending acquisition of Natura Natural Holdings Inc., another Canadian company. Valued at C$70 million, this deal will increase Tilray’s growing space by 662,000 square feet, a significant expansion in an industry based around self-contained indoor agricultural facilities. An innovator in the cultivation, production and distribution of cannabis products, Tilray has has also established subsidiaries and affiliates in Europe, the Pacific, and Latin America, the latter through the recent establishment of Tilray Latin America SpA.

Like Youngevity, other companies with experience outside cannabis are now making moves into the sector. Anheuser-Busch Inbev (NYSE: BUD) (OTC: BUDFF), the brewers of the iconic Budweiser beer, is the latest in a series of beverage companies to make this move. The company has created a partnership with Tilray to explore the potential of cannabis and CBD-infused drinks. It’s a substantial deal, with each company planning to invest $50 million in the venture, and though it will initially be limited to the Canadian market, if the venture proves successful, the potential to grow in the Unites States is significant.

Tobacco companies are an obvious fit for the cannabis sector, which could provide them with an alternative revenue stream as health-conscious consumers turn away from tobacco. Altria, the company behind such famous brands as Marlboro and Benson & Hedges, has invested C$2.4 billion in Canadian cannabis company Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON). Canada is a good starting place for a company entering the cannabis market, thanks to the legalization of recreational cannabis in the country last October, but the investment in Cronos represents a broader opportunity. With business in Latin America, Europe, Australia and Israel, Cronos will provide Altria with access to a global cannabis market.

As well as attracting big players from the wider economy, the growth of the cannabis industry has supported the emergence of specialist companies within the sector, such as Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. (NYSE: IIPR). Founded in December 2016, Innovative Industrial Properties is a pioneering real estate investment trust that provides real estate capital for the medical cannabis industry. The illegality of cannabis at a federal level in the United States has made it hard for companies to acquire regular sources of funding, such as bank loans when buying property for cannabis production. There is therefore a substantial market for the company’s funding, and an opportunity for both sides to profit from such finance.

The growing cannabis market has produced companies specializing in many different areas. By bringing these specialties together, vertically integrated companies have a chance to increase profits and profit from this remarkable growth.

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

About CannabisNewsWire

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

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

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

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

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

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

420 with CNW – Consolidation Starts Taking Shape in the US Cannabis Industry

Like any emerging industry, the cannabis industry has reached that time when consolidation starts taking place. Several reasons have made such a step inevitable.

First, way too many businesses rush to get licences in each state that legalizes recreational or medical marijuana. Not all those businesses that open are likely to succeed, so it is only logical that the ones not doing well get gobbled up by those that are having a better run in the market.

Secondly, too many companies in a restricted marketplace trigger a rush to the bottom. The different pricing models adopted to get an edge in the market exert pressure on the profit margins of all the companies involved. Before long, many start falling by the wayside, and the stronger ones acquire those that are failing or struggling.

Thirdly, the risk of oversupply also creates fertile ground for consolidation. Most cannabis businesses are forced to be vertically integrated because of the clash between federal law and state-level laws. Many therefore end up growing cannabis that they are unable sell, and these stockpiles lock up a lot of valuable capital. The entities that command a bigger share of the retail space often end up acquiring those with excess supply.

These forces are already exerting their impact upon the nascent cannabis industry in the U.S. Last year, MedMen Enterprises announced that it was acquiring PharmaCann in a deal worth $682 million. However, this deal still has a few more months before they put ink to paper.

In the meantime, iAnthus Capital Holdings last week closed on a deal to acquire MPX Bioceutical. This acquisition is worth more than $630 million. This makes it the largest marijuana deal in the U.S. so far. The MedMen deal will eclipse it when it is finally concluded, but that is still months away.

With the stroke of a pen, iAnthus Capital Holdings has increased its footprint from just six states to 11 after the acquisition of MPX Bioceutical. The number of licensed dispensaries has also grown from 19 to 63, all without the hassles and costs associated with processing new applications in all those jurisdictions.

The deal also now gives iAnthus a combined grow space of 210,000 square feet. The company targets to expand this to 600,000 square feet so that all the stores/dispensaries can be amply supplied in the coming years.

The cannabis industry, including The Flowr Corporation (TSX.V: FLWR) (OTC: FLWPF) and The Green Organic Dutchman (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) welcome any consolidation that helps to deepen and stabilize the cannabis industry.

About CannabisNewsWire

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

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000

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420 with CNW – North Dakota Considers Amendments to Improve Access to Medical Marijuana

As North Dakota inches closer to making medical marijuana available to residents, a number of proposals have been brought before the legislature in order to make it easier for patients to access the drug once it becomes available.

One of the most important proposals being considered seeks to include physician assistants among the medical professionals that can certify patients who need medical marijuana cards. The current law only permits advanced practice nurses and physicians to certify patients.

Adding physician assistants to this list would give patients a wider scope of professionals that they can contact for a recommendation.

Another major change that is proposed entails removing the requirement compelling doctors to assert that the patient being recommended will benefit from consuming medical cannabis. This certification requirement has been a major stumbling block in the way of patients who want a recommendation because doctors were uneasy about committing to the efficacy of a drug for a given health condition in the absence of sufficient research backing up the suitability of treating such a condition using medical marijuana.

If the change is adopted, doctors will only be required to state that medical cannabis may help the patient having a qualifying condition. It is hoped that more patients will be able to get recommendations once this change is made.

State statistics show that just about 100 patients had secured medical cannabis cards from October last year when applications started being received. This dismal number was largely due to the reluctance of doctors to certify patients based on the guidelines set in the law passed in 2016.

There is another proposal to include cannabis edibles among the different forms of cannabis that patients can access. This addition is likely to be a welcome one, especially for patients who are uneasy about smoking marijuana. Edibles are more discreet.

While lawmakers are considering proposals to expand the list of qualifying conditions, some advocates are campaigning for a different approach to this matter. They say that it is more sustainable to give the Department of Health the authority to add to the list of qualifying conditions as more research becomes available instead of having to amend the law whenever additional conditions need to be included on that list.

The call of the advocates seems reasonable, because it allows the list of qualifying conditions to grow continuously without the lengthy procedures of the legislative process.

All in all, it is good that the legislature is fine tuning the law so that the beneficiaries (patients) aren’t subjected to any avoidable inconveniences. Sunniva Inc. (CSE: SNN) (OTCQB: SNNVF) and Supreme Cannabis Company Inc. (TSX.V: FIRE) (OTCQX: SPRWF) welcome these changes that will ease access to medical cannabis.

About CannabisNewsWire

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

To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000

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

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