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

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

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

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

Cannabis Growth Continues

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

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

The Power of Cannabidiol

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

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

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

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

Wider Market Growth

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Power of Existing Pipelines

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

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

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

More Companies Take Up CBD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Barron’s

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

More from CannabisNewsBreaks

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.

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

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

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

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

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

New Laws and New Crops

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

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

The Canadian Cannabis Market

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

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

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

Cross-Border Work

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

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

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

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

The Potential of Hemp

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

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

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

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

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

A Growing Industry of Growing Things

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Bringing Hemp Back

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

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

The Hemp Revival

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

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

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

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

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

A Better Crop for the Environment

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

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

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

Getting Ahead of a Growing Industry

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

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

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

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

Businesses Benefit from Hemp

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Specific Therapeutic Benefits of Cannabidiol (CBD) Validated by FDA

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

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

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

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

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

The Boom Has Just Begun

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

Hemp Focus

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

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

Hemp-Based Nutritionals

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

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

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

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

A Growing Portfolio

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

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

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

Others Vying for Position

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

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

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

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

Seismic Shift

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

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

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$1 Trillion Global Health and Wellness Sector Presents Growing Opportunities for Cannabidiol Companies

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Cannabidiol (CBD) products are reaching into the mainstream through a growing health and wellness sector, and savvy companies are looking to position themselves to make the most of this momentum.

The health and wellness market grown to over $1 trillion globally as of 2017
Positive shifting regulations globally is opening major international markets to CBD products, especially CBD infused food, beverages and natural health products
Larger fortune 500 level food and beverage companies are beginning to consolidate this major growth market via major investments and mergers and acquisitions.

In a groundbreaking move, Phivida Holdings, Inc. (CSE: VIDA) (OTCQX: PHVAF) (PHVAF Profile) has become the first CBD company to have their CBD food, beverage and natural health products cross over into major national mainstream grocery distribution in the United States. Isodiol International, Inc. (CSE: ISOL) (OTC: ISOLF) (FSE: LB6A.F) is also expanding CBD’s reach through a growing chain of vaping shops. And the potential for wellness beverages is demonstrated by Koios Beverage (CSE: KBEV) (OTC: SNOVF), with its expanding range of brain-boosting drinks. Within the cannabis market, The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) is providing organic, sustainable cannabis, a source of CBD that meets other consumer interests. And CV Sciences, Inc. (OTC: CVSI) is researching new CBD products and searching for ways to bring those products to market as the sector continues to grow in size and diversity.

Adding to Health and Wellness

The health and wellness sector is currently huge business. Conservative analysis places its value at over $1 trillion, while at least one commentator cites figures as high as $3.7 trillion. The willingness to make purchasing decisions based on better health and a longer life is no longer a niche interest. From gyms to health foods to counseling, consumers are spending a growing proportion of their income on creating healthier, happier lives.

Cannabidiol (CBD) products have become significant recent additions to the wellness market. Derived from cannabis plants, CBD is an active ingredient that has shown many potential health benefits without the intoxicating “high” provided by cannabis’ other main active ingredient, the THC found in marijuana. Research into CBD is still in its infancy, but that research has shown the ingredient’s potential to improve wellness in several ways. As legal changes make it easier to develop and produce CBD products, those products appear set to take an important place in the health and wellness market.

Reaching into the Grocery Market

One of the companies benefiting from this trend is Phivida Holdings, Inc. (CSE:VIDA) (OTC:PHVAF). Phivida (pronounced “fii-vee-daa”) is a producer of premium hemp oil extracts and capsules, the company provides health-conscious customers access to the benefits of CBD without unnatural chemicals. With a new C-suite management team in place consisting of former senior executives of Red Bull, Proctor & Gamble, Labatt’s and the former CEO of Seagram’s International, Phivida is now preparing to launch a CBD-infused beverage brand and has found a major partner to work with to ensure this strategic move is successful.

Phivida recently announced a groundbreaking exclusive national agreement with Acosta, Inc., a sales and marketing leader for the consumer-packaged goods industry in the United States, to distribute Phivida’s products, including the new beverage. Distributed through Acosta’s Natural Specialty Sales (NSS) division, Phivida’s drinks will be the first CBD hemp brand to cross over into the national mainstream distribution system in the states.

Natural specialty groceries are a significant market in North America, currently valued at USD $4.1 billion and growing. Obtaining a foothold in this market marks a historic milestone for CBD products, as well as a commercial coup for Phivida. NSS’s reach extends into 2,400 regional natural specialty grocery stores and the potential to expand into over 25,000 major national grocery stores across the U.S, including leading retailers such as Whole Foods, Sprouts, Walmart, and Kroger’s.

The major disruptive nature of the rapidly expanding cannabis and CBD-hemp markets have begun to draw attention from big players in the food and beverage industry as well. For example, Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ) behind Corona beer and Svedka vodka, recently made a major investment in cannabis company Canopy Growth. And Southern Glazer’s, North America’s biggest wine and spirits distributor, has created a Canadian subsidiary to sell cannabis-infused products.

This trend is one that other major food, beverage and alcohol companies will almost certainly follow. As the market for CBD products grows, forward-thinking organizations will be looking for mergers and acquisition opportunities with CBD companies to gain exposure to this fast-growing market and protect their positions against disruption from the global cannabis sector.

Changing Regulations Drive Growth

The growth of the CBD sector is being driven by a global shift in the legal status of cannabis.

In the United States, regulated cannabis is now legal for both medical and recreational use in a number of states. On a national level, the Senate and House of Representatives are working to resolve differences between the two Congressional bodies’ versions of the 2018 Farm Bill, which include action to legalize industrial hemp. If the pro-hemp language remains in the final version of the bill, it would mark a significant shift in policy at the federal level, making it easier for businesses across the country to grow hemp and produce CBD products derived from it.

In Canada, the passing of Bill C-45 is set to make recreational cannabis legal across the country in October. The bill also includes rules for the production and sale of CBD-infused food and drink, creating a market for companies such as Phivida to sell new products as early as 2019.

Such moves are supported by the work of major global bodies. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently completed a report that found CBD is neither toxic nor addictive, making it safe for consumption. The report also highlighted CBD’s health benefits. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has removed CBD from its list of prohibited substances, allowing athletes to use it for treatment of pain and inflammations.

Making the most of this shift, Phivida is focusing on establishing an international presence. The deal with Acosta will provide distribution into a network of more than 27,000 U.S. retail outlets. In Canada, the company has created a joint venture with WeedMD to be the first to market with one of the first-ever federally legal cannabis beverage manufacturing facilities in the world — a major milestone. A deal with Namaste Technologies means Phivida products open the European Union and United Kingdom markets, while another deal with Asayake provides new opportunities for distribution in Japan. These partnerships have helped establish Phivida as the fastest-growing brand in CBD foods and beverages just as that market appears ready to take off.

Building a Business

Of course, CBD isn’t a magic product that will instantly give businesses success. Phivida’s achievements have been made possible by a skilled management team with experience in the beverages sector.

The company’s chief officers are all veterans of Red Bull’s North American operations, where they helped build the energy drink category from nothing to $300 million a year. CEO James Bailey worked as president of Red Bull Canada and held senior positions at Merrell Outdoors, Beneath Apparel, Adidas, Blue Goose and Salomon. Chief Marketing Officer Michael Cornwell is a former director of marketing at Red Bull Canada and was CMO at both Samsung NZ and Microsoft NZ. Chief Commercial Officer Doug Campbell was previously director of sales at Red Bull North America and director of national accounts at Stoli Group. The company’s advisers and directors also bring a powerful raft of experience to their roles, including time spent in senior management at Proctor and Gamble, in executive management at Labatt’s, and as CEO at Seagram’s International.

This powerful team is committed to ensuring Phivida operates with a tight capital structure. The company has more than $15.5 million CAD in cash and no debt. Just over 60 million shares have been distributed or are outstanding. With a fully diluted total of 71 million shares available, the company has ready access to approximately CAD $29 million in cash. With a strong leadership team and financial foundations, Phivida has achieved the first crossover of CBD beverages into major national mainstream retail distribution across the United States, as well as globally.

Surge of CBD

Regulatory change and consumer interest are also driving growth for a range of CBD and wellness businesses.

Isodiol International, Inc. (CSE: ISOL) (OTC: ISOLF) (FSE: LB6A.F) provides a wide range of CBD products. Through its KURE Corp. subsidiary, the company strongly promotes CBD in vaping products. KURE recently announced plans to expand its retail footprint by opening new premises and acquiring existing vaping stores.

Koios Beverage (CSE: KBEV) (OTC: SNOVF) is a manufacturer and distributor of drinks and supplements designed to boost brain function, enhance health and improve productivity. The company recently announced the release of four new flavors of its brain-healthy drinks. Like Phidiva, Koios is turning beneficial supplements into beverages, making the drinks more appealing to a wide market.

The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) produces cannabis tailored to the wider interests of health and well-being customers. Many of these consumers are deeply concerned with environmental issues, and the company’s organic, sustainably grown cannabis means that its products live up to these ethical standards.

CV Sciences, Inc. (OTC: CVSI) is a CBD company with two distinct divisions. The pharmaceuticals part conducts research to develop new products, thereby expanding the possibilities of CBD. Meanwhile, the consumer products division focuses on getting those products to market.

The intersection of the CBD and wellness sectors is creating opportunities for businesses and consumers alike. As laws, attitudes and expectations continue to change around the world, these opportunities will only continue growing.

For more information about Phivida Holdings, please visit Phivida Holdings, Inc. (CSE:VIDA) (OTCQX:PHVAF)

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Proposed Legal Changes Offer a Boost for Cannabidiol Companies in the United States

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Recent growth in the market for cannabidiol (CBD) products has been strong and appears poised to continue.

CBD is an active ingredient derived from industrial hemp that does not contain the psychoactive or “high” effect of marijuana.
CBD is used in a wide range of products, from cosmetics to pet supplements.
The recent acceptance of a CBD-based medicine by U.S. authorities creates potential for legal change that could make the sale of CBD easier.
Attention in the mainstream press has created a measure of gravitas for CBD.

Marijuana Company of America Inc. (OTC: MCOA) (MCOA Profile) has produced a diverse range of CBD products to promote well-being. Cannabis company Canopy Growth Corp. (NYSE: CGC) has created a range of CBD oils for its customers while expanding its global reach. Aurora Cannabis, Inc. (OTCQX: ACBFF) provides pain relief through a range of cannabis strains and is set to expand its R&D potential through a takeover. Terra Tech Corp. (OTC: TRTC) provides equipment to cultivate cannabis and would benefit from a change in the legal landscape alongside its customers. PotNetwork Holding, Inc. (OTC: POTN) holds several subsidiary companies benefiting from cannabis and CBD products, thanks to the diversity of the sector.

U.S. Authorities Consider Legal Changes

For decades, federal rules have held back cannabinoid-derived medicines in the United States. Though the majority of states now allow medical marijuana and associated cannabinoid-derived products, national legislation is still grounded in the war on drugs. The cannabis and hemp plants are classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning that it is legally seen as both dangerous and without medical benefits. Even treatments using cannabidiol (CBD), an active ingredient found in hemp and cannabis that is nonpsychoactive, currently fall under this classification.

That may be about to change. Following the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) ground-breaking acceptance of prescription drug Epidiolex, the future of CBD products for medicinal use appears to be up in the air. Meanwhile, legislation from both sides of America’s political divide offers the possibility of bigger changes.

Tackling the Law

Progress on the legal status of CBD is being eagerly watched by companies such as Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTC: MCOA). With a focus on industrial hemp and hemp-derived cannabidiol products, MCOA doesn’t produce and sell medical or recreational marijuana. But because hemp products are derived from the same family of plants, they fall under the same stigmas associated with the plant.

Increasingly liberal legislation at the state level has allowed companies such as MCOA to thrive in the United States. But that evidence-based liberalization is in conflict with the federal government’s decades-long prohibition, which some within the current conservative government are looking to reinforce rather than relax.

Despite this, the FDA approved CBD-based Epidiolex in June. Epidiolex has been developed to counter the seizures brought on by two rare ailments. Its approval for sale as a prescription medicine doesn’t mean that similar medications will automatically be approved, but it does open the possibility. In light of the approval, repeated calls have been made for the FDA to look again at the scheduling of certain cannabinoids and the broader picture of cannabis-derived medicines.

At the same time, several pieces of legislation that could change CBD’s status are being considered by Congress. Some of those are actually being proposed by Republicans, making it appear less likely that they will be blocked by America’s more conservative party. It looks increasingly likely that rescheduling or other legislative changes may soon make it easier for companies to cultivate industrial hemp as well as produce and market CBD products.

When such change comes, companies with a wide array of products are likely to be the ones that will benefit most. With a range that already runs from pain treatment to therapies for pet care and memory enhancement, MCOA’s line of products is representative of how versatile the use of CBD can be. A loosening of restrictions would make it easier to both broaden this selection and make it available to a wider market.

CBD Goes Mainstream

The growth of companies such as MCOA is helped by increasing mainstream attention on CBD. Forbes has reported on research into the product by the World Health Organization. Esquire has profiled the rise and diverse uses of this ingredient. The Washington Post has explored the growing popularity of CBD among celebrities, consumers and wellness professionals.

Because CBD doesn’t get a user high, it might seem strange that the marijuana derivative is becoming one of the most popular hemp-derived products. But the wellness market is big business in America as consumers clamor for ways to improve their energy levels and reduce the low-key aches and pains of everyday life. CBD’s reputation for improving health is making it popular among people who want the reported medical benefits without having to deal with the high.

The result is a fast-growing market. Consumer sales of CBD amounted to $262.2 million in the United States in 2016, more than double what they had been only two years before. Based on the market’s ongoing growth, analysts have predicted that the market will hit the billion-dollar mark by 2021.

More than half of CBD consumers take the products every day with anxiety, anti-inflammation and joint pain being the top symptoms the products are designed to impact. Successful treatment of these conditions would likely create a large base of long-term consumers.

The Varied Uses of CBD

This large and growing consumer base is looking to CBD for potential impact on a wide range of wellness concerns. The ability of companies such as MCOA to provide a range of products aimed at these symptoms would allow those companies to tap into a broad share of the market. MCOA’s hempSMART™ products are a great example of how many uses a single company can find for CBD.

HempSMART Brain is a patent-pending nootropic product designed to support natural brain function, which fits with what many consumers expect from CBD because the product is focused on the mind. These innovative capsules can be taken to support alertness and concentration.

HempSMART Pain is designed to provide relief from pain associated with physical activity by combining CBD with botanical supplements. Their hempSMART Pain Cream is designed to provide temporary relief from and soothe sore, aching muscles and joints.

The company most recently launched a new cosmetic product, hempSMART Face, a CBD facial moisturizer that has been designed to refresh, replenish and restore skin cells on the face. And perhaps most surprising is the company’s offering of sublingual CBD tinctures, including hempSMART Full-Spectrum Drops and hempSMART Pet Drops, a bacon-flavored supplement formulated to provide cats and dogs with renewed energy as well as a tasty treat.

Such a diverse range of products could help a company such as MCOA attract the attention of CBD consumers. It might also allow consumers to use CBD in more areas of their lives, expanding the CBD market.

Companies Set to Benefit

It’s not just the variety of CBD products that bodes well for the industry — it’s also the range of companies. If the legal status of cannabis and cannabis-derived products changes, an entire sector is set to benefit.

Canopy Growth Corp. (NYSE: CGC), a leading player in retail cannabis, is using its research in the area to create CBD oils. By balancing the ratio of CBD and THC within its oils, Canopy Growth caters to differing wellness needs. Already a trusted player within the Canadian market, the company has acquired a subsidiary in the Kingdom of Lesotho and established another in Latin America. By looking to the wider world, the company is further expanding the global market for cannabis and CBD products.

One of the leading areas of interest for CBD is in pain relief. Aurora Cannabis, Inc. (OTCQX: ACBFF), one of the largest cannabis companies in the world, has established a strong position in this sector. The company has developed a large range of different strains of medical cannabis that can be used in developing new products as well as in retail. The Canadian Competition Bureau recently approved a takeover of MedReleaf Corp. (TSX: LEAF), a research-oriented company, by Aurora, leaving the company in a stronger position to make the most of the coming changes.

Rescheduling cannabis would benefit not just the companies selling cannabis and CBD products but also those supporting them. Terra Tech Corp. (OTC: TRTC) is a producer of environmentally friendly growing systems for cannabis growers. Its hydroponic systems use moving tables and recycled waste water to increase yields and reduce costs. As it becomes easier to grow and market cannabis, more growers may turn to Terra Tech for the equipment they need.

The maturity of the CBD and cannabis sector has also led to the emergence of several holding companies, including PotNetwork Holding, Inc. (OTC: POTN). This company’s subsidiaries include Diamond CBD, First Capital Venture and PotNetwork. Through these entities, PotNetwork benefits from growth across different parts of the industry, as well as supporting other companies in their expansion.

The market for CBD and other cannabis-derived products is already strong. With the prospect of legal rescheduling increasingly likely, these companies seem poised to benefit from changing attitudes in the United States and beyond.

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

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CannabisNewsBreaks – Green Flower Opens Registration for August Introduction of ‘My Cannabis Career’ Summit

Ventura-based video platform company Green Flower yesterday announced that it has opened registration for the August 11, 2018, introduction of its ‘My Cannabis Career’ Summit. Per the update, the event is being produced to provide cannabis industry wannabe’s with an opportunity to hear directly from the best executives in the business. The summit is free for all interested participants on August 11 and available to ‘Premium’ subscribers thereafter. “These specialists have found their distinctive place in the Cannabis business,” Max Simon, CEO of Green Flower, stated in the news release. “Their unique experiences and challenges provide an abundant resource of information for those who are anxiously exploring their own paths in our industry. We specialize in sharing knowledge and believe that assisting future industry specialists through learning programs like this one is fundamental to strengthening the cannabis industry overall.”

To view the full press release, visit http://cnw.fm/sqR1F

About Green Flower

Established in 2014, Ventura-based Green Flower is the world’s largest video platform, maintaining 600+ affiliates to date. Dedicated to introducing only trusted cannabis knowledge, the platform boasts over 1,000+ hours of high-quality video content featuring 600+ top cannabis industry experts, doctors, scientists, entrepreneurs, and thought-leaders. Serving both consumers and professionals, Green Flower is the go-to platform for understanding every aspect of cannabis today. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Green-Flower.com

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Hemp CBD Products Offer a Natural Alternative to Synthetic-Derived Medicines

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: The opioid crisis in North America has drawn attention to the urgent need for alternative medicines, and hemp CBD products offer a viable plant-based option.

An active ingredient in industrial hemp, Cannabidiol (CBD) can be extracted to be used in a number of different products such as topicals, tinctures, and capsules.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has found CBD to be nonpsychoactive, nonaddictive, and to have a positive effect on patients’ health.
Scientific studies have shown CBD to be effective in pain relief and, therefore, it may be a healthier alternative to addictive opioids.

Marijuana Company of America Inc. (OTC: MCOA) (MCOA Profile) is actively engaged in producing all-natural products containing CBD, including a recently released pain cream that can be applied topically to relieve discomfort. Cronos Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) has recently received a boost in funds and a license to produce cannabis products in Australia, allowing the company to grow its operations. Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC), which produces oils containing CBD, is expanding into Lesotho and Colombia, exploring a global pain-relief market. Aurora Cannabis, Inc. (OTCQX: ACBFF), which already produces a wide range of medical marijuana strains, is in the process of acquiring an R&D company to strengthen its offerings. And Organigram Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: OGRMF) produces medical strains that include a CBD option for patients and care providers eager to benefit from this ingredient.

The Opioid Epidemic

The United States is facing one of its greatest medical crises in decades — the opioid epidemic. During 2016 alone, 42,249 people died of opioid overdoses, 115 deaths every day. Despite the attention being turned onto this problem, most states are seeing further increases rather than declines in opioid abuse and its consequences. As the problem grows, physicians, emergency rooms and other healthcare providers are feeling pressure to find effective treatments for pain management, one of the largest causes of the growing problem.

Though illegal drugs such as heroin play their part, this crisis is fuelled by prescription drugs. The prescription painkiller problem began in the 1990s, when pharmaceutical companies persuaded healthcare providers that they could prescribe opioid painkillers without risk of addiction. This proved to be untrue, as large numbers of patients began misusing the drugs. Today, an estimated 21–29 percent of patients prescribed opioids misuse them, with 8–12 percent developing a disorder. And while misuse of legal drugs is a huge problem in its own right, it is also the gateway to illegal opioids. However, by the time the problem was recognized, the medical sector had become reliant on opioids. Pain relief is a critical part of modern medicine, which helps patients manage chronic conditions as well as cope with recovery from shorter-term illnesses, accidents and operations. Simply abandoning opioids was not an option.

An Alternative to Opioids

One option gaining increased attention may be the use of all-natural cannabidiol (CBD) products, as a plant-derived option to the use of synthetic prescription painkillers. These products do not contain THC, the ingredient that gets cannabis users high, and so can be used to provide relief without impairing a user’s normal mental activities. Products containing CBD, which have recently been developed by companies such as Marijuana Company of America (MCOA Profile), may offer a viable alternative to synthetic medicines.

CBD applications and uses have benefitted from changes surrounding that industry. Licenses to grow industrial hemp have allowed companies to combine agriculture, R&D and product development with those seeking medical uses for hemp. MCOA’s recently established cultivation in Oregon is a prime example of this work, with researchers developing better growing techniques and improved plant strains that will allow them to extract higher yields of CBD oil.

A Healthier Option?

Scientific research into the effectiveness of CBD supports its potential in pain relief. A review of recent studies found that it was generally effective in helping patients manage their pain. Not only can it provide a viable alternative to opioid painkillers.

The advantage of CBD over opioids appear to be that it may provide a safer, healthier treatment option. CBD appears to be far less physically and mentally addictive than many prescribed pain medications. Patients can use it without experiencing the high risks of addiction that accompany many prescription painkillers.

The World Health Organization released a scientific research report conducted on CBD, which found the compound to be nonpsychoactive and nonaddictive; the report also noted that it has multiple health benefits. CBD oils provide patients with access to the relief that medical marijuana would bring but without many of the side effects.

Applied Medicine

By providing alternatives for relief, companies working with CBD are providing a pathway out of the opioid epidemic. One example of a CBD pain-management product is MCOA’s recently released hempSMART Pain Cream.

HempSMART Pain Cream is a topical treatment developed to reduce discomfort, support joint mobility, and relax muscles. Each bottle contains 300mg of full-spectrum CBD derived from industrial hemp, combined with other natural plant-based extracts. The cream contains the company’s own formulation of Ayurvedic herbs along with menthol, cayenne pepper extract, rosemary oil, aloe gel, white willow bark, arnica, wintergreen extract and tea tree oil. Together, these ingredients appear to provide an immediate cooling and soothing sensation, while the CBD helps to ease discomfort.

“We will continue to expand our health and wellness lines in 2018 to include more products,” said MCOA CEO Donald Steinberg. “Pain Cream has been enthusiastically received by our affiliates and customers.”

Pain Cream is just one of many hempSMART products already developed by MCOA. As more is learned about the potential uses of CBD in wellness products, the company will likely develop new products and treatments. From hempSMART Brain, a brain-enhancing formulation, to hempSMART Face, a CBD-infused cosmetic, the company is finding new ways to deliver the benefits of this chemical compound.

Cannabis Companies Explore Potential of CBD

Meanwhile, patients looking for pain relief have the chance to move away from prescription drugs and into treatments without the same risks of addiction. A number of other companies are also exploring the potential of CBD treatments.

One of the most prominent is Cronos Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON), the first Nasdaq-traded company purely focused on cannabis. Though based in North America, the company has recently started branching out, obtaining a manufacturing license to produce products based on medical cannabis in Australia. Boosted by funds raised through a recent public offering, the company is set to become a global player in the field of cannabis-derived treatments, including pain medication.

Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) is also looking to bring cannabis and CBD treatments to a wider market. Having previously acquired a cannabis company in Lesotho, giving it access to the African market, the company is now expanding into Latin America through the acquisition of a Colombian company. Canopy Growth produces oils with varying levels of CBD to meet the varying needs of customers.

One of the world’s largest cannabis companies, Aurora Cannabis, Inc. (OTCQX: ACBFF) is heavily involved in pain relief through its wide selection of medical cannabis strains. The company recently took a step toward improving its research into cannabis-derived medicine, thanks to the Canadian Competition Bureau’s approval of a proposed takeover of MedReleaf. By acquiring another R&D-driven cannabis company, Aurora hopes to expand its own research into CBD-based medicines.

Medical cannabis company Organigram Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: OGRMF) has produced a range of different strains, including CBD-rich options. It has recently been licensed to expand its production facilities, allowing the company to better meet the needs of a growing market.

With companies developing hemp-derived, CBD-based wellness products, a new alternative to synthetic opioid-based medications is emerging. CBD-based options may also provide access to the benefits of medical cannabis without that product’s mind-altering properties and other worrisome side effects.

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

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Cannabidiol Market Anticipates Growth as Regulatory Change Looms in U.S.

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Restrictions in the United States on cannabidiol (CBD), an active ingredient in cannabis, appear likely to loosen over the next few months, creating opportunities for CBD production and distribution companies.

CBD is an active ingredient with medical benefits but no “high”, or pyshcoactive effects.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a CBD-based medicine for the first time.
Companies are cultivating hemp to develop high yielding CBD plants.

Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTC: MCOA) (MCOA Profile) is cultivating industrial hemp for CBD propagation at sites in the United States and Canada while continuting to develop and manfuacture CBD-based products for its hempSMART™ brand. Cronos Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) is expanding its global reach for cannabis products through deals covering the United States, Canada, Australia and Poland, as this sector of the economy goes global. CV Sciences, Inc. (OTC: CVSI) is providing a clean bill of health for its CBD wellness products. Terra Tech Corp. (OTC: TRTC) is providing advanced hydroponic growing systems that increase crop yields and reduce costs for CBD-oriented companies. Manufacturer Liberty Health Sciences (OTC: LHSIF) produces cannabis in facilities recently certified as meeting high standards for manufacturing.

FDA Leads the Way to Reclassify Cannabidiol

The market for cannabis and hemp products has seen a low-key but potentially huge step forward in recent weeks. For the first time, the FDA has approved a medicine that uses cannabidiol (CBD) as its active ingredient. CBD is a compound that can be found in the hemp and cannabis plants, but unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) it does not get users high.

Repeated studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of cannabinoids. As a result, cannabis products have been approved for medical use in many states, but this is the first time that a cannabinoid-based CBD product has been approved at the federal level. This approval represents a softening of the federal government’s attitude. CBD was previously classified as a Schedule I drug by the Drug Enforcement Agency, but this body is now expected to change its stance within the next three months, allowing the possibility to manufacture products that would currently be banned on the national level. This possibility represents a huge moment for the CBD industry.

Better Plants for Better Health

One of the companies likely to benefit from this change is the Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTC: MCOA). The company is focused on the cultivation of industrial hemp and the manufacturing of hemp-derived CBD products, and is expanding its operations to better serve its growing market.

The most recent addition to the company’s operations is an industrial hemp cultivation site in Scio, Oregon. Created in collaboration with Global Hemp Group (GHG), this is a 109-acre site in the Willamette Valley. With its rich soil and pre-existing irrigation infrastructure, the valley provides an ideal location for an agricultural project that has already been home to cannabis cultivation in the past.

The Scio facility uses a mixture of cultivation practices. It has 19,000 square feet of greenhouse growing space under construction alongside fields for outdoor crops. This will allow the company to produce a steady supply of hemp all year, with high-yield plants ensuring a significant volume of output.

One of the main aims of the team working at Scio is to encourage plant strains that have a particularly high yield of CBD. Careful data collection and analysis are being used to assess the quality of plants and the effectiveness of techniques used to grow them. The expected change in the legal status of CBD in the United States will make it easier for MCOA to conduct research and cultivate CBD rich industrial hemp like at the Scio site, and for patients to have access to the products that come from it.

Working with Government to Improve Agriculture

MCOA and GHG are also collaborating on a similar project in New Brunswick, Canada, on a much larger scale. For this project, the two companies are working with the New Brunswick Department of Aquaculture, Agriculture and Fisheries (DAAF) to explore better approaches to growing hemp.

With markets for hemp and CBD reaching greater maturity, the DAAF has shown its faith in the future by awarding a grant of $10,750 to the joint MCOA and GHG venture in the region. These funds will be used on test projects for the current crop season, which will allow the companies to improve their cultivation techniques.

These government-funded tests are focused on three areas, two of which are looking at soil conditions to identify the best levels of nitrogen fertilizer for crops and whether soil acidity can be effectively adjusted using local supplies of slag lime. The third area of study is the European corn borer, a moth that damages crops and that has been a pest to farmers in the region. Damage from borers was found on hemp stalks last year, so the companies will be looking at the impact this damage could have on cultivation.

The latest technology is being used to ensure the success of these tests. A drone company has been employed to provide overviews of growth across hemp fields because the height of the stalks and density of cultivation makes assessment by other means difficult. With agricultural experiments underway in both Canada and the United States, MCOA has multiple opportunities to cultivate better CBD crops.

In New Brunswick, the two companies have created what they refer to as the Hemp Agro-Industrial Zone (HAIZ), where they are carrying out trials of hemp cultivation targeted at developing the industry in the province. By exploring cultivation techniques, ensuring a market for the product and providing consistent jobs for local farm workers, they aim to create a green-industry cluster specializing in hemp.

Creating Wellness

MCOA isn’t just a cultivation company. It is manufacturing its hemp crops into a wide range of products formulated to improve the well-being of customers.

Much of this work is carried out through hempSMART, the company’s most prominent consumer brand. HempSMART creates CBD-based wellness products and provides consumers with education about the potential benefits CBD may provide. Many consumers don’t understand the difference between CBD and THC products. Through hempSMART, MCOA is raising awareness while reaching out to a growing market.

The most recent release from hempSMART is the relaunch of its hempSMART Brain product. This version doubles the dose of CBD from the original, combining CBD oil with a blend of natural plant-based ingredients. Designed to maintain mental clarity, alertness, focus and concentration, as well as promote relaxation, restorative sleep, and the repair and regeneration of brain cells, hempSMART Brain is a flagship product that demonstrates MCOA’s wellness agenda. With the prospect of a change in the CBD compound’s legal status in the United States, companies such as MCOA will have more opportunities to develop and sell these types of products, spreading CBD-based wellness.

Growing Companies Profit from Changing Regulations

A range of companies in the cannabinoid sector will be in a position to profit from this change. Cronos Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) is demonstrating the global potential of cannabinoid products. The North American company already has a cross-border deal that allows it to make use of advances in both Canada and the United States. In addition, Cronos was recently granted a manufacturing license to produce cannabis-based products in Australia, and a new Polish distribution agreement will give the company a foothold in the European market.

CV Sciences, Inc. (OTC: CVSI) is firmly focused on the CBD sector. The company has two parts: a drug development division exploring novel CBD-based treatments and a consumer product division that manufactures, markets and sells the resulting products.

Some companies are focused on providing support and equipment for CBD cultivation. Terra Tech Corporation (OTC: TRTC) has created a hydroponic growing system that uses moving tables to increase yields by up to 30 percent while reducing costs by up to half. Its energy efficiency and recycling of waste water means that the company’s systems live up to the expectations of green-minded consumers.

Liberty Health Sciences (OTC: LHSIF) works in the medical cannabis market. As it acquires and operates U.S.-based cannabis companies, its aim is to produce safe, high-quality cannabis for patients. It has recently received Good Manufacturing Practice certification for its high standards of safety, consistency and quality.

Given the growing number of players in the cannabis market, a shift in the classification of CBD on a federal level could have a tremendous impact. For companies already focusing on CBD products, a huge opportunity for growth in the United States may be on the horizon.

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

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