Growing Media Coverage, Celebrity Endorsements Lead to Soaring CBD Popularity

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Growing media attention and celebrity acceptance is fueling rising popularity of CBD.

Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF) (WLDFF Profile) is one of the companies benefiting most from this attention, with its products featured in Kim Kardashian’s baby shower and the new Saks CBD salon. Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) is working with the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) and its athletes in clinical studies involving pain management, inflammation, injury, exercise recovery and mental well-being. Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF) recently acquired Beboe, a luxury cannabis brand founded in California. With this growing CBD popularity, HEXO Corp. (NYSE American: HEXO) announced that it has become the first cannabis company to join Food & Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC), the largest voice of the Canadian food, beverage and consumer products industry. And Aphria Inc. (TSX: APHA) (NYSE: APHA) has been awarded a fifth lot for the cultivation of medical cannabis in Germany as part of the company’s previously awarded license from the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices.

Kim Kardashian’s CBD-themed baby shower splashed across business wires, tabloids, and social media.
High-profile appearances and placement are boosting upper-end CBD brands.
Broad media coverage is normalizing and drawing ever more customers to the sector.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

CBD Whips Up Media Storm

Recent months have seen CBD in the media spotlight more than ever before. The relaxing natural compound, derived from hemp and cannabis plants but without the psychoactive qualities of THC, has been grabbing attention across the internet and in print and broadcast media. What was a fringe interest only a few years ago has now grown into the subject of unceasing mainstream attention.

Some of the coverage comes from news reports and opinion pieces, while the recent legalization of hemp in the United States has sparked interest from virtually every sector of society. With CBD products now on sale in a growing number of shops across a growing number of states, attention has also come from social media influencers, fashionistas and lifestyle writers. Even celebrities and athletes are in on the act, with CBD products appearing in the hands of the rich and famous — a sure signal of widespread popularity in the media age.

Garnering Celebrity Support

One of the brands reaping the benefits from this flurry of media attention is Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF), a premier creator and marketer of plant-based health and wellness products. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wildflower has rapidly expanded its footprint out of Canada and into the United States as the country has become increasingly hospitable to CBD products. The company is focused on building brands around plant-based products, appealing to those looking for natural way to relieve pain, relax and be healthy.

CBD is an important part of Wildflower’s stable of brands. Its Wildflower Wellness brand provides capsules, tinctures, vaporizing liquid and other CBD-infused products, all designed to support relaxation, health and wellness. With its unique combination of high-quality, effective natural products, the brand is designed to appeal to those looking to escape the stresses of modern life and has been embraced by consumers through North America.

Little wonder Wildflower products showed up at Kim Kardashian’s recent baby shower. Kardashian and her husband, Kanye West, recently welcomed their fourth child — and second born by surrogate. In preparation for the event, Kardashian threw an extravagant and well-reported baby shower. To help guests relax and prepare to celebrate the “calm before the baby storm,” the Keeping Up with The Kardashians star threw a CBD-themed baby shower, featuring a DIY makeup station and a group session sound bath. The event included such tranquil activities as massages, flower arranging and mixing CBD oils to create personalize shower gifts.

As part of the event, Kardashian encouraged her guests to enjoy a relaxing puff of Wildflower’s vaporized CBD products. A Wildflower vaporizer was featured in pictures from the party, as celebrities made the most of what CBD has to offer.

This isn’t the first time that Wildflower products have found their way into celebrity hands. Wildflower goods were selected for inclusion in the 2019 Four Seasons Hotel Hollywood Swag Bags, given to nominees, presenters and actors staying at the hotel for this year’s Oscars. With CBD becoming not just acceptable but fashionable, Wildflower was a natural fit for a hotel wanting to make a good impression on its celebrity guests.

The cachet of CBD as a prestigious, high-profile consumer product has been further reinforced by the creation of a CBD salon within the shop at Saks Fifth Avenue. Directly connecting CBD with other high-end brands and the concept of luxury shopping firmly stakes out CBD’s place within the luxury goods market. And once again, Wildflower has garnered high-profile visibility among the products on display.

Media Eyes Up CBD

This move into celebrity culture and the high-end shopping market has come alongside growing media attention for CBD brands.

The arrival in Los Angeles of prominent Long Island beauty boutique Botanica Bazaar gave Vogue reason to cover a range of products including CBD tinctures. For this part of the article, the magazine focused on Wildflower’s products. The company’s strongest CBD remedies, its tinctures have been designed to counter one of the big problems with cannabinoid products — the sometimes unpleasant taste. Wildflower has tackled this challenge by adding natural flavorings to create a product that’s recognized for its flavor as well as its relaxing qualities.

The Vogue piece garnered positive coverage for CBD in general, with Botanica Bazaar’s owners talking about how the pain-relieving power of these products had won a growing number of loyal customers. The article also provided even more positive coverage for Wildflower, with the writers noting that “Wildflower’s CBD tinctures and vapes not only kill the aesthetics game, but also taste good.”

Coverage of broader cannabis culture has brought CBD brands to the attention of a receptive audience. When Vice presented an article on the best female-owned brands in the cannabis sector, the magazine included Wildflower in a section on pain-relieving spa products. A pain-relief product designed to tackle muscle, joint and back pain, the CBD+ Healing Stick was recommended in the article as a useful cure for menstrual pain.

Buzzfeed went so far as to publish an article on why readers should be buying CBD Christmas gifts for everyone, including featured recommendations for products their readers might want to pick. These included a lip butter, truffles and CBD-infused sparkling water, showing the wide range of options now available to the CBD consumer.

Wildflower once again stole the limelight. The company’s disposable CBD vaporizer pen proved to be just too good to leave out of the recommendations. All in all, the company has received mention in more than 15 different articles and media pieces, touting Wildflower and singing the praises of their CBD products.

CBD’s Growing Press Presence

It seems like hemp and CBD can’t help but make news. And other companies besides Wildflower are enjoying the media attention.

Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) has begun an exclusive, multiyear, multimillion dollar, global partnership with UFC to advance CBD research. The Edmonton-based cannabis producer said it will work with the fight league’s athletes to study the effectiveness of the plant in treating pain management, inflammation, injury, exercise recovery, and mental well-being. “This global partnership places focus squarely on the health and well-being of UFC’s talented and highly trained athletes,” said Aurora CEO Terry Booth. “The Aurora-UFC research partnership creates a global platform to launch targeted educational and awareness campaigns, while creating numerous opportunities to accelerate our global CBD business.”

With its acquisition of Beboe, Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF) gains geographic exposure to the California and Colorado markets, as well as a high-end luxury brand to fill out its brand portfolio. Beboe was founded by fashion executive Clement Kwan and celebrity tattoo artist Scott Campbell and has been dubbed the “Hermes of marijuana” by The New York Times. Beboe products, which include rose-gold vaporizer pens, edibles, and CBD-infused drinks, have already earned their way into 125 retail locations in California and Colorado, and the company had already signed a deal with luxury department store Barney’s New York to open a luxury store called the High End, which opened on the fifth floor of Barney’s flagship Beverly Hills store in late March.

As the first cannabis company to join FCPC, HEXO Corp. (NYSE American: HEXO) continues on its journey to bring its brand value, cannabinoid isolation technology, licensed infrastructure and regulatory expertise to established companies. “HEXO is thrilled to be the first cannabis company to join the Food & Consumer Products of Canada, an established and industry leading association in the consumer-packaged goods space,” said HEXO co-founder and CEO Sébastien St. Louis. “We look forward to working with FCPC and all their members to forge new relationships and potential partnerships. It is an exciting time to be in the ever-evolving cannabis industry.”

Aphria Inc. (TSX: APHA) (NYSE: APHA) was provisionally awarded the fifth cultivation lot in Germany through its subsidiary, Aphria Deutschland GmbH, or Aphria Germany. The lot was secured following a review by a German court, which affirmed the BfArM’s decision. Aphria Germany has now won the maximum output from the German tender process — a total of five lots — and is the only licensed producer in Germany with permission to grow all three strains of medical cannabis approved by the BfArM.

As CBD’s cultural presence grows, companies with a strong media presence and the attention of celebrities and athletes seem certain to benefit.

For more information on Wildflower Brands, visit Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF)

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Untapped Cannabis Market Offers Spectacular Growth Opportunities

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: The explosive growth recently seen in the cannabis industry presents a rare chance for savvy companies to profit in a virtually untapped market.

Legal marijuana market projected to reach $146.4 billion.
United States and Canada current epicenter of cannabis growth.
Brand recognition and retail reach imperative for market share.

The cannabis bonanza has created a rare window of opportunity for companies that are able to capture market share and create long-term success. Brand recognition and retail reach look to be key to obtaining these lucrative rewards. Shortly after posting its tenth consecutive quarter of increased revenues, Wildflower Brands Inc. (OTCQB: WLDFF) (CSE: SUN) (WLDFF Profile) announced intentions to further expand its footprint with the acquisition of premier licensed cannabis retailer, City Cannabis Corp. A finalized accretive acquisition will add significant revenues to Wildflower, providing access to several valuable cannabis licenses in lucrative premium locations. Other companies in the sector are also looking to grow in the market through a variety of promising ways. Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB) announced it has entered into a binding letter agreement with Hempco Food and Fiber Inc. to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Hempco not already owned by Aurora. Green Thumb Industries Inc. (OTCQX: GTBIF) (CSE: GTII) has closed on the acquisition of Los Angeles-based For Success Holding Company, the creator of Beboe branded cannabis products. Acreage Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: ACRGF) (CSE: ACRG) announced that it has entered into a definitive arrangement agreement that grants Canopy Growth the right to acquire 100% of its shares. And as part of its strategy to become a multistate operator, Choom Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: CHOOF) (CSE: CHOO) (CHOOF Profile) has signed a letter of intent to purchase a 95% equity interest in a Florida-based vertically integrated cannabis applicant.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Extraordinary Market Development

The extraordinary development of the cannabis industry can be tied at least in part to a wave of public support that has turned into overwhelming acceptance. Fifteen years ago, only a third of Americans were in favor of federal legalization of marijuana. Today, an estimated two-thirds of Americans support legalization, up from only 54% two years ago. Among adults under age 35, a whopping 85% favor federal legalization. Public acceptance gained so much momentum so fast that the cannabis industry is struggling to meet the demand. As the cannabis industry and markets mature, acquisition and consolidation announcements have become almost daily occurrences.

The global legal marijuana market, valued at $9.3 billion in 2016, is expected to reach $146.4 billion by the end of 2025, an incredible 16-fold increase over nine years. Legal cannabis markets are still relatively new, and the market is nowhere near its total sales potential. An estimated 272 million global consumers use cannabis, equivalent to only about 4% of the world’s population. Staggering increases in those numbers appear to be all but certain. Perhaps nowhere is this hyper-growth more spectacular than North America. Wall Street’s top cannabis analyst forecasts the U.S. market to grow to $80 billion by 2030 assuming national availability.

Center for Growth

Cannabis demand is even greater north of the border. The industry has been facing cannabis supply shortages ever since recreational cannabis was legalized across Canada. For example, the cannabis market in country’s westernmost province, British Columbia, registered slightly over CA$19 million in legal cannabis sales in 2018, but that number is projected expected to explode to CA$722 million in annual sales in the next five years by — a mind-boggling 37-fold increase over six years.

Pegged to soar nearly 3,700% by 2024, British Columbia is an ideal center for cannabis growth. Headquartered in the heart of this upsurge, Wildflower Brands Inc. (OTCQB: WLDFF) (CSE: SUN) has already staked out an enviable market position and is further expanding its retail footprint and product distribution in the province. The company announced that it intends to acquire City Cannabis Corp. in an all-stock deal.

Holding two of the three City of Vancouver licenses to sell cannabis, City Cannabis is a premier cannabis retailer and the only company with multiple licenses in British Columbia. The Letter of Intent looks to solidify Wildflower’s position as a high-profile retail outlet of premium brands generating millions in revenues right in the heart of the B.C. cannabis boom.

“City Cannabis and Wildflower are the perfect combination of premier products and a premier consumer retail experience,” said Wildflower CEO William MacLean. “City Cannabis’ retail consumer data and insight will help shape development of Wildflower’s product line-up while the retail expertise of City Cannabis will aid Wildflower in its retail expansion. The combination of Wildflower and City Cannabis will form a truly global cannabis company.”

First established in British Columbia in 2012, Wildflower now has a retail reach that extends from Vancouver to New York. Wildflower Brands is constantly expanding development, design, marketing and retail distribution of its branded products in the cannabis sector. The company launched into Washington State in 2016 and has seen consistent growth ever since.

Creating a Global Brand

Today Wildflower markets its distinctive CBD+ products to more than 300 retailers in the health and wellness sector and operates in regulated cannabis markets throughout North America in accordance with jurisdictional regulations for THC and CBD+ products. Wildflower’s unique and holistic products are developed and manufactured at the company’s U.S.-based GMP facilities, tested by a third-party lab and backed by a 100%-satisfaction guarantee.

Each Wildflower product is synergistically formulated to create a unified global wellness brand. For example, Wildflower’s highly recognized Wildflower Wellness brand offers a broad array of hemp-based, full-spectrum, CBD-infused products from vaporizers and capsules to tinctures, soaps and topicals.

The company’s King Recharge is on the cutting edge of cannabis technology and delivery systems with its King Extracts, a sleek, rechargeable vaporizer offering five popular CBD strains and a unique pocket-sized charging and storage case.

Closely associated with select hospital oncology departments, Exclusive is Wildflower’s Los Angeles-based dispensary of premium cannabis products. Wildflower already owns 14 cannabis licenses in California for recreational and medical cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, retail and delivery. Activating all these licenses could be a jackpot for the company, driving revenues while minimizing risk.

Expansion into Canada with the acquisition of City Cannabis is the next step in Wildflower’s global strategy. The thriving retail outlet, with licenses for several more locations, provides Wildflower with a high-profile presence in what may be one of the greatest growth markets in the world. Wildflower plans to market its enormously successful products through the outlet and launch into the over-the-counter market with its CBD formulations and accessories.

An Expanding Footprint

Wildflower’s U.S. presence now encompasses more than 200 retailers in Washington state and more than 20 retailers in New York City. The company partnered with Retail Worx to establish shop-in-shop retail locations in the nucleus of New York and open its first Wildflower by Bridges General store.

A clear next move for Wildflower in this partnership is a rollout into other Bridges General’s stores in New York City and San Francisco. Retail distribution in other major U.S. markets includes over 80 wellness and healthcare practitioners and an army of retail stores nationwide numbering in the hundreds. Wildflower is aggressively expanding both brand recognition and retail reach.

Wildflower continues to capture increasing market share with innovation, retail expansion and a growing family of popular brands. The company’s strategic partnerships, acquisitions and organic growth are all strengthened by the company’s focus on creating loyal consumers.

Grabbing national and celebrity attention, Wildflower used ingenious product placement during the 2019 Oscars by including its CBD+ Healing Stick in each of the gift bags of the stars, and Hollywood is embracing the product.

But Wildflower didn’t just aim for the stars. Wildflower launched an infomercial campaign in Phoenix promoting the company’s Wellness’ Cool Stick. And across the country, the company has employed an innovative pop-up store technique in SoHo, New York, to introduce its Wildflower Wellness products. To make this happen, Wildflower identified a compatible high-profile retail venue and struck a deal with the outlet, then marketed its products with fanfare in the upscale establishment for a limited time period, raising market uptake and visibility.

Clearly Wildflower seems to be on a mission to create a global cannabis enterprise. With such rapid expansion of brand recognition and retail distribution, Wildflower is firmly establishing its hold on the cannabis bonanza.

Buying Up Cannabis

And Wildflower isn’t alone in focusing on the booming cannabis business. Several market leaders have announced recent moves designed to strengthen their positions in the sector.

With its acquisition of the remaining common shares of Hempco, Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB) gains low-cost, high-volume access to hemp for the extraction of CBD, a component that has been recognized for its therapeutic benefits across a wide range of medical indications and wellness applications. Aurora recognized this potential early, investing in Hempco as early as 2017. The company subsequently expanded its hemp-based infrastructure through the acquisitions of Agropro, Borela and ICC Labs.

By acquiring the Beboe product line, Green Thumb Industries Inc. (OTCQX: GTBIF) (CSE: GTII) reinforces its commitment to provide nationwide access to safe and effective cannabis. “The meticulously crafted suite of Beboe products supports the premium segment within GTI’s brand portfolio and is firmly aligned with our long-term growth strategy,” said GTI founder and CEO Ben Kovler. “Beboe has an extremely talented team, a robust innovation pipeline, an aligned vision on the future of cannabis and a ground-breaking partnership with Barneys New York. We are thrilled to have the visionary Beboe team officially on board with GTI.”

Acreage Holdings Inc.’s (OTCQX: ACRGF) CSE: ACRG) agreement with Canopy Growth gives CGC the right to acquire 100% of the shares of Acreage, with a requirement to do so when cannabis production and sale becomes federally legal in the United States. “From the first day we created our company, providing exceptional customer care and delivering shareholder value have been our top priorities,” said Acreage Holdings chairman, CEO and president Kevin Murphy. “This transaction will help accomplish both. When the right is exercised, having access to Canopy Growth’s deep resources will enable us to innovate, develop and distribute quality cannabis brands across the U.S. and continue expanding our U.S. footprint. At the same time, a confluence of factors is making it much more difficult for a multi-state operator to achieve its full potential, including the enormous amount of cash required to scale. Our Board of Directors, management team and I are pleased to deliver significantly increased liquidity to our shareholders and put ourselves in an even stronger position to deliver continued and significant upside.”

An emerging adult and medical use cannabis company that has secured one of the largest national retail networks in Canada, Choom Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: CHOOF) (CSE: CHOO) is looking to expand into Florida. The cannabis applicant at the heart of the company’s equity interest agreement is progressing on its master license application to operate up to 25 retail locations as well as a microprocessing and cultivation facility for medical purposes. Upon completion of the transaction, Choom will use its medical brand, Clarity Medical Centres, to create a network of branded medical marijuana treatment centers.

Some have called what is happening now in the cannabis sector a once-in-a-generation opportunity and predict that this is the start of a decade-long cannabis bull market. All indications point to those predictions being correct.

For more information on Wildflower Brands, visit Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF)

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Increasing Growth, Acceptance Move CBD Market Toward Mainstream

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: The CBD market is seeing strong growth and a move towards the mainstream.

The North American CBD market, worth more than $9 billion in 2017, is projected to be worth $47 billion by 2027.
Growth is possible partly through mainstream acceptance, with pressure on a variety of institutions to accept medical CBD.
Leaders are emerging within the CBD and cannabis markets, as leading voices gain recognition for their work.

Wildflower Brands Inc. (OTCQB: WLDFF) (CSE: SUN) (WLDFF Profile), which focuses on health and wellness products, is benefiting from this growth through the establishment of strong distribution deals. Focused on the organic market, Green Organic Dutchman (OTCQX: TGODF) (TSX: TGOD) has significantly increased its output to meet demand. Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB) has earned its CEO industry-wide recognition through strong growth and a powerful place as a market leader. HEXO Corp. (NYSE American: HEXO) (TSX: HEXO) is pushing CBD and cannabis toward the mainstream through connections with food and consumer product companies. Significant developments in science and agriculture, where Charlotte’s Web Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: CWBHF) (CSE: CWEB) is making great steps forward in developing low-cost high-quality hemp, is also strengthening the plant.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Growing Goodness

The CBD market has seen huge growth over the past few years, appearing out of nowhere to become an industry worth billions of dollars. This growth has been driven in large part by CBD’s potential for health and well-being, a subject that many researchers are busy exploring. Companies have leapt upon the opportunity to offer consumers the benefits associated with cannabis without some of the other issues regularly linked with the drug, including getting users high.

If the past few years have been fruitful, the future looks even brighter for CBD. Soaring sales, growing acceptance within mainstream sports, and the recognized influence of some of the major players within the broader cannabis industry all point to positive movement forward for CBD. And as companies overcome the challenges offered by distributing a previously obscure product to a broad market, the industry looks set to soar.

A Rising Global Market

The growth of the CBD market has so far come mostly out of North America, where the likes of health and wellness company Wildflower Brands Inc. (OTCQB: WLDFF) (CSE: SUN) have marketed a wide range of CBD products. This geographical focus is thanks mostly to questions of legality, as CBD is extracted either from cannabis or from its nonhigh-inducing form hemp. Though legalization of cannabis remains variable in the United States, hemp is now legal at a national level in both the U.S. and Canada, with cannabis growth widely permitted.

As a result, the North American cannabis market, including that for CBD, has grown in spectacular fashion. The market was worth $9.2 billion in 2017 and is predicted to reach $47.3 billion by 2027. It’s this market that has proved so fruitful for the likes of Wildflower Brands.

The European CBD market has seen less expansive growth. Within the EU, the range of processed products that can be made incorporating cannabis is more limited, and there’s been less of a concerted push towards legalization for both CBD and cannabis products. Consequently, market growth there has been less impressive.

But that may be about to change, according to analysis from market intelligence firm the Brightfield Group. The company recently predicted 400% growth in the European CBD market from 2018 to 2023, a massive rise in a short five-year span. It looks as if the CBD boom may be set to go global.

Sports and CBD

Of course, the CBD market hasn’t only been shaped by years of cannabis prohibition; contributing factors also include society’s acceptance of cannabis and CBD. The rules of organizations not normally associated with cannabis can provide a hindrance to companies such as Wildflower Brands. But as the legal market develops, those institutions are shifting their attitudes as well.

The world of sports is an ideal example. During the war on drugs, many teams, leagues and professional organizations took a firm public stance against cannabis, laying down rules that prevented their players from indulging. The NFL, for example, has strict rules against cannabis consumption. Currently, however, former players are campaigning for a change to those rules, not just to allow players access to the same experiences as other people but to tackle issues specifically related to sports.

Cannabis and CBD are used in a wide range of pain treatments and products, including those such as Wildflower’s topical treatments. Given the injuries frequently incurred in professional sports, pain management is essential, and players seek access to the best range of medicines. Currently the ban on cannabis and CBD restricts players from choosing such seemingly effective options, fueling the call for change.

Changes could also have a significant impact on the sponsorship side. Currently, only one professional sports team in the United States has a cannabis-related sponsorship, despite the growing wealth and influence of the industry. As barriers come down, the time may come for CBD, much like other recreational and medical products, to gain attention in the sport and beyond through sponsorship and supporter arrangements.

The Challenge of Delivery

Of course, all this expansion comes with significant challenges. As the market grows and evolves, CBD companies must find ways to distribute products to a sector that didn’t exist a decade ago. The infrastructure most other industries take for granted is being built from scratch.

Fortunately, the companies moving into this space are willing to adapt and move quickly to support their expansion. This involves forging alliances with other players within the cannabis sector to increase their combined reach. Wildflower has recently done this through a delivery fulfillment agreement with HelloMD, a leading digital healthcare platform for cannabis doctors, consumers and brands. The deal will allow Wildflower to potentially reach more customers through HelloMD’s expansive e-commerce platform.

Such moves should increase opportunities for CBD businesses to accelerate their expansion and reach a broader customer base, reversing years of prohibition. These partnerships may not only boost individual businesses but also add to the rising tide of CBD.

Cannabis Leaders Emerge

Celebrated leaders are starting to emerge at the head of the cannabis industry. Some have come from outside, their fame drawing attention to the industry. Others have come from within.

A recent list of the top 100 figures in the industry includes actor Jim Belushi, former Mexican president Vicente Fox and retired boxer Mike Tyson. The list also includes cannabis executives such as Terry Booth of Aurora and Elizabeth Hogan of GCH.

Wildflower Brands CEO William MacLean was included in the list, thanks to his hands-on approach to sales and marketing. His extensive travels to hospitals in North America have also given him insight into patient experience and the benefits that cannabis and CBD can offer. Combined with years of marketing experience, this impressive background puts MacLean in a strong position to market his brand and build teams of skilled experts for ongoing growth.

Cannabis Companies Reach New Highs

As the cannabis sector expands, many companies are going through periods of growth and rising revenues. Over the past few years, this rocketing trajectory has allowed the cannabis sector to diversify in interesting ways.

One of those is the growing interest in organic and sustainably grown cannabis, which aligns with the existing market for organic fruit and vegetables. Green Organic Dutchman (OTCQX: TGODF) (TSX: TGOD) has seen success moving into this niche and is now growing to meet the massive demand. The company is building two new facilities to expand its production base, with growing capacity set to increase from 156,000kg to 202,500kg. Green Organic Dutchman is also looking at the wider global market, with an investment in Jamaican cannabis.

One of the largest cannabis companies in Canada, Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB) has benefited from that country’s liberal approach to the issue. Early and widespread legalization have given Canadian cannabis companies an opportunity to expand in both the recreational and the medical markets. Aurora is one of the highest trading cannabis stocks on the NYSE and is going from strength to strength. The company’s acquisition of 51% interest in a Portuguese cannabis company has positioned the Aurora for expansion in Europe as that market starts to mature.

Like many cannabis companies, HEXO Corp. (NYSE American: HEXO) (TSX: HEXO) started out as a medical provider but has shifted to include the recreational market in its work. As the first cannabis producer to join Food & Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC), the company is offering cannabis products as part of its wider range of consumables, reducing the stigma and barriers to entry. Such bold moves have led to a 1,269% increase in gross revenue, a performance made possible by a combination of strong leadership and market growth.

Some companies are focused only on CBD, such as Charlotte’s Web Holdings Inc. (OTCQX: CWBHF) (CSE: CWEB). The company’s work in producing high-quality, low-cost hemp through proprietary genetics earned its vice president of cultivation Jared Stanley a place in the cannabis top 100. The science of cannabis cultivation is still in its infancy, but it’s moving fast, and by improving knowledge and techniques, pioneers such as Stanley are laying the groundwork for future growth.

With scientific and business innovation being led by a raft of far-sighted and innovative pioneers, the cannabis and CBD industries look set for another decade of incredible growth.

For more information on Wildflower Brands, visit Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF)

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CBD Going Mainstream amid Flood of New Products, Celebrity Endorsements, and Emerging Consensus about Benefits

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Analysts at Brightfield Group see CBD (cannabidiol) gobbling up a sizeable chunk of a projected $100 billion nutraceuticals 2022 U.S. market.

$22 billion-plus CBD market could eclipse broader cannabis market
Growing consensus about health benefits backed by clinical work, personal endorsements
CBD found in everything from beverages and dog treats to pharmaceuticals and wellness products

The opening of the CBD floodgates represents a huge opportunity for plant-based wellness and health-product developers such as Wildflower Brands Inc. (OTCQB: WLDFF) (CSE: SUN) (WLDFF Profile) and Green Growth Brands Inc. (OTCQB: GGBXF) (CSE: GGB), a lifestyle-oriented developer of cannabis and CBD consumer products. Similarly, some of the fastest-growing producers in the industry today, such as Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB), Green Organic Dutchman (OTCQX: TGODF) (TSX: TGOD) and HEXO Corp. (NYSE: HEXO) (TSX: HEXO) all stand to benefit as the rising tide of the CBD market continues to see tremendous growth for a number of reasons.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

An Established Wellness Ingredient Goes Mainstream

The recent passage of the Hemp Farming Act in the 2018 U.S. farm bill made hemp an ordinary agricultural commodity, swinging open the door for hemp-derived CBD. The industry is seeing everyone from A-list celebs at the Oscars to noted medical professionals such as American neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta extolling the health benefits of CBD.

Already incorporated into to a wide variety of functional foods and beverages, CBD has also started to show up in coffee and cocktails, with CBD drinks being added to menus at bars and coffee shops across America. Many users swear by the efficacy of CBD to combat ailments such as various anxieties, sleeplessness or physical pain. Little wonder that CBD is going mainstream, and product developers have been racing to put the stuff into every kind of consumer product imaginable, from health and beauty items for the skin to tasty treats for the family pet. The accumulating evidence for CBD’s health benefits also owes a great deal to watershed achievements such as Epidiolex, a CBD-derived anti-seizure medication that has been through numerous clinical trials, becoming FDA-approved in severe forms of childhood epilepsy.

There appears to be an emerging consensus among consumers that CBD is strong enough to treat something like epilepsy but also safe enough to be used for daily aches and pains or address the myriad anxieties that plague the modern mind. This awareness, combined with the rapid proliferation of CBD consumer products ranging from vape pens to functional foods, has led to a kind of grassroots market revolution. Any stigma remaining due to laymen confusing CBD with THC is rapidly eroding, particularly with the likes of homemaking legend Martha Stewart now providing her knowledge of consumer products to CBD developers. And household names such as Kim Kardashian, Olivia Wilde and Jennifer Aniston are also going on record as having enjoyed the health benefits associated with their personal consumption of CBD products.

Growing Consensus about Healing Power of Plants

Speaking of A-list celebrities and CBD products, it was the Wildflower Brands Inc. (OTCQB: WLDFF) (CSE: SUN) CBD+ Healing Stick that found its way into the gift bags of the stars during Oscar weekend 2019. Packing a walloping 500mg of highly concentrated, full-spectrum CBD, Wildflower’s cooling and soothing stick is easy to apply for targeted pain relief and skin care, providing relief through a unique CBD blend that includes therapeutic ingredients such as arnica, wintergreen and other essential oils.

A reputable brand whose stated mission is to connect people to the healing power of plants via the company’s increasingly sophisticated line of CBD vaporizers, capsules, tinctures, soaps and topicals, Vancouver-based Wildflower Wellness packs its extracts with essential amino acids and beneficial terpenes, the organic compounds that give plants flavor and scent.

The company’s products are made in the United States at Wildflower’s GMP facilities and are third-party lab tested; they are also backed by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. Such well-formulated, convenient and discrete products as Wildflower’s disposable ACHES CBD+ vaporizer are increasingly enjoying widespread acceptance. This is in part due to education of the consumers by cannabis and wellness influencers.

Wildflower Wellness has even partnered with Bridges General to take that company’s reimagined convenience store concept to the next level. The partnership fuses together the popularity of the Bridges General design-centric retail space that delivers convenience for the on-the-go urban professional with an engaging opportunity to experience and learn about the benefits of CBD. The partnership is already serving some of the most innovative minds in tech at its Lower Manhattan store, as well its Madison Avenue Bridges General store. The company has also engaged Retail Worx to establish shop-in-shop retail availability at more than 20 locations in the heart of New York City’s booming cannabis market.

Industry Seeing Retail Renaissance in Consumer Products

Wildflower also has a surprisingly impressive retail reach for a company of its size, with the Wildflower Wellness brand already enjoying distribution in key states, such as Washington at more than 200 retailers. The company’s California-based King Extracts brand is focused on cannabis technology and delivery systems.

King Extracts’ flagship product, the King Recharge, is a discreet but powerful little pocket vaporizer that comes in its own sleek charging and storage case, which has room for two 500mg cartridges and a backup battery. King Recharge offers fractionally distilled CO2 extractions in exceptionally clean and sophisticated blends that utilize proprietary terpenes in order to deliver a full, robust flavor profile. Sativa, Indica and Hybrid, as well as two limited-edition Sativa flavors (watermelon and bubble gum), are currently available. Additionally, Wildflower’s growing national distribution arm includes over 80 other wellness and healthcare practitioners, bringing the company’s total to some 300-plus stores nationwide.

The company has even branched out into physical retail itself, harnessing the power of increasing brand recognition, a firm footing in the California market and tightly knit relationships with local hospital oncology departments and community programs. The company has launched its own dispensary in Los Angeles and provides on-demand, legal and licensed cannabis delivery services to adults in the L.A. area. The second quarter of 2019 saw the 10th consecutive quarter of increased revenue for Wildflower, with $1.4 million in sales underscoring a burgeoning direct-to-consumer online channel that witnessed 300 percent growth last year alone.

Many analysts are saying that the CBD rush is just getting started. One recent estimate indicates that the CBD market alone could eclipse the entire remainder of the cannabis market combined. Wildflower can apparently read the handwriting on the wall and intends to apply the $1.882 million in proceeds from the company’s recent, oversold private placement to good use.

A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats

Green Growth Brands Inc. (OTCQB: GGBXF) (CSE: GGB) is also enjoying the upside as CBD goes mainstream, with increasing traction for the company’s Seventh Sense CBD-infused body care collection. Similar upside is being seen across the company’s other retail arms, including curated product mix Meri+Jayne, CAMP lifestyle product kiosks, women’s wellness focused Green Lily and Nevada-based The +Source dispensaries. Its Indiana shop marks the start of a massive retail push that will see Green Growth Brands leverage newly gained access to some 108 prime retail locations at thriving malls throughout the United States. The push is backed by an $85 million private placement from late last year, which will also bolster the company’s XanthicBiopharms operation and may open the door to a variety of strategically significant new products.

Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB), one of the biggest and fastest growing producers in the industry today, has seen a somewhat meteoric rise since opening the company’s initial facility in Alberta in 2013. Today, Aurora is engaged in an aggressive international expansion, grounded in an increasingly diverse constellation of subsidiaries and strategic partnerships. Global reach and proprietary high-yield production technologies and techniques have put Aurora on the map as a funded producer, which can deliver more than 500,000 kilograms per year.

Green Organic Dutchman (OTCQX: TGODF) (TSX: TGOD), a premier certified organic Canadian producer, is another input supplier benefitting from the increased market exposure CBD has been getting, with 2018 being a pivotal year for the company. Green Organic Dutchman executed two bought deals worth $101.2 million in gross proceeds and pulled another $77.6 million in gross proceeds via private placements. The company was also able to report a healthy $263.5 million in cash and restricted cash for 2018. The Green Organic Dutchman is in a solid position to expand existing facilities and pursue international growth into markets such as Jamaica.

HEXO Corp. (NYSE: HEXO) (TSX: HEXO) is a notable low-cost producer with more than 579,000 square feet of production capacity and a 1,000,000-square-foot facility currently under construction. The company recently moved to acquire an additional 470,000 square feet of production space via an all-share acquisition of Newstrike Brands Ltd., valued at approximately $263 million. This news comes on the heels of the company’s recent announcement that it is the first cannabis company to join the FCPC (Food & Consumer Products of Canada), arguably the biggest voice in Canadian food, beverage and consumer products. This prestigious feather in HEXO’s cap was acquired just days prior to announcing impressive results for what is the first full quarter following the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Canada.

With the 2018 Farm Bill thrusting hemp-derived CBD into the limelight, the broader industry likely stands to experience a rising tide that will lift all boats.

For more information on Wildflower Brands, visit Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF)

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CBD Industry Soars in Wake of Farm Bill; Massive Growth Projected to Continue

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Following the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD sales have continued their massive growth in the United States and beyond.

Cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical found in cannabis, has seen a huge growth in sales over the past few years.
CBD can be derived from hemp, and the passing of a new farm bill in the States makes this form of cultivation legal at a federal level.
This forms part of wider growth in the cannabis market, as companies expand their operations in North America and even beyond.

Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF) (WLDFF Profile) is among the companies benefiting from this market, with an increase of more than 300 percent in online sales for its CBD products last year. Some companies are specializing in particular niches, such as The Green Organic Dutchman (OTCQX: TGODF) (TSX: TGOD) with its focus on sustainable organic plants. Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB) is making moves into Europe, with cannabis oil sales in Germany and investment in a Portuguese grower. Green Growth Brands Inc. (OTCQB: GGBXF) (CSE: GGB) is launching new products and opening its own shops across the United States. And HEXO Corp. (NYSE: HEXO) (TSX: HEXO), which recently expanded from medical cannabis into the recreational space, has seen gross revenue increase more than 1,000 percent as part of this rising tide.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

CBD Drives Growth for Hemp

Hemp, a plant that has long been out of the public eye, is returning to the spotlight in a big way. A non-intoxicating form of cannabis, hemp was primarily used for centuries as a natural source of fibers, which were used in cloth, rope and even building materials. Many ships in the great age of sailing relied on hemp for their riggings.

But in the sweeping anti-drug crusades of the 20th century, hemp became caught up in attacks on cannabis. Campaigners who were determined to save consumers from their own pleasures had cannabis outlawed at a time when there was little effective way of distinguishing between hemp and other forms of cannabis. No longer needed for cloth and rigging, hemp was made illegal.

Now all that has changed — nowhere more dramatically than in the United States of America.

The Farm Bill

Hemp is making a comeback thanks to the growing popularity of cannabidiol (CBD), an active ingredient found in many forms of cannabis. It’s an ingredient that companies such as Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF), a creator of plant-based health and wellness products, have been making extensive use of in recent years. Combined with other naturally occurring plant compounds, full-spectrum CBD is used in a range of Wildflower products, including capsules, topicals, soaps, tinctures and vaporizers.

Until recently, the production of CBD in the United States faced serious restrictions and uncertainties. Many states had legalized the production of cannabis in some form, either for medical or for recreational use. In addition, there were licensed trials of the cultivation of hemp, which can be rich in CBD. But all of these plants were illegal at a federal level, meaning that even with state-level approval, cultivators faced financial limitations and the threat of government action.

All that changed in December with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. One of a regular series of bills governing the U.S. agricultural sector, this bill removes hemp from the list of controlled substances, making it unambiguously legal for farmers to grow hemp. This changes the landscape for CBD products in the States. Companies such as Wildflower, which has already got its products into many outlets in the health and wellness sector, will be able to expand their reach even further.

States have the right to set their own rules around restricted substances, and some states have taken an unsympathetic attitude to CBD. The Farm Bill doesn’t force states to change this attitude, but there are already signs that public opinion on all levels are changing. The regulations in many states assume adherence to the federal guidelines, and some states, such as Alabama, have already softened their stance since the Farm Bill became law.

Under the Farm Bill, hemp production will be tightly regulated. Most states already have existing regulations in place, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be developing its own regulations as well. But for an established company such as Wildflower, which already works in California, Washington and New York, this shouldn’t be a problem. Cannabis companies are accustomed to working in a tightly controlled environment and meeting the legal standards set by state legislators, as well as the product standards required by retail outlets. In that context, working within new federal regulations shouldn’t present a significant challenge, while the existence of consistent national standards will create opportunities for growth.

CBD Demand Grows

The Farm Bill has been driven in large part by the growing demand for CBD. An obscure and seldom discussed chemical a decade ago, CBD has emerged as an important consumer product. The gradual legalization of cannabis and research into its medical effects drew attention to the fact that those benefits were not all related to THC, the psychoactive chemical that gets cannabis users high. Identified as a chemical with great potential for health and wellness, CBD has started to be marketed in its own right and is used in products such as the Wildflower Wellness line.

Public interest in CBD has grown seemingly from nowhere. Tapping into interest in both cannabis and natural remedies, and offering treatments that may succeed where others have failed, CBD sales have soared. Hemp-derived CBD alone was a $390 million market in 2018 and is expected to reach $1.3 billion by 2022. And that doesn’t even include all the CBD products derived from other forms of cannabis.

The results for producers have been staggering. Wildflower saw its online sales grow by more than 300 percent in just nine months in 2018. In response, the company opened its first New York retail store, a sure sign of a product’s popularity in an age when so many companies are shedding their brick-and-mortar presence.

Looked at globally, CBD is in even better health. The Brightfield Group has estimated that CBD’s value will reach $5.7 billion this year and $22 billion by 2022. While research on the topic is still in its infancy, there is growing evidence that CBD could be used to treat a number of ailments, including certain extreme forms of childhood epilepsy. Even the United Kingdom, a country whose government remains staunchly opposed to the legalization of cannabis, has allowed the use of a CBD drug for this purpose.

Companies producing and selling CBD products are springing up across North America, Europe and beyond. Demand is growing, especially among millennials. That’s bolstering the impressive sales of companies such as Wildflower and putting pressure on politicians to further liberalize the laws around hemp.

Making the Most of a New Market

A lot of companies are now making the most of the growing popularity of cannabis, CBD and hemp.

Given the crossover between liberal attitudes on drugs and an interest in protecting the environment, it’s hardly surprising that specialist companies have arisen that grow organic cannabis. One of these is The Green Organic Dutchman (OTCQX: TGODF) (TSX: TGOD), which announced last year that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of privately held HemPoland in an immediate accretive cash-and-share transaction. The move gives Green Organic Dutchman access to HemPoland’s vast distribution network, premium Cannabigold brand, and state-of-the-art hemp oil extraction technologies, as well as providing a strategic pathway into the European market for TGOD’s medical and recreational products and licensing deals.

Canada is at the forefront of cannabis legalization, as one of the early adopters of medical cannabis and the first G8 country to legalize its recreational use. As a result, the country has developed several large cannabis companies, including Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB). Aurora has an eye on the global market for cannabis and CBD, recently agreeing to acquire a 51 percent interest in a Portuguese cannabis company, as well starting sales of cannabis oil in German pharmacies.

Like Green Organic Dutchman, Green Growth Brands Inc. (OTCQB: GGBXF) (CSE: GGB) is leaning into the hippy image of cannabis through a brand that places an emphasis on health, wellness and happiness. The company is doing well with the continuing CBD craze and has recently announced the opening of CBD shops in malls in Indiana and Tennessee. The company has also formed an agreement with another company to work on CBD-infused personal care products, as CBD product ranges diversify.

A leading cannabis producer, HEXO Corp. (NYSE: HEXO) (TSX: HEXO) has expanded its interests to include the recreational as well as the medical market. Focusing on cannabis’s place in the wider market, HEXO was the first cannabis producer to join Food & Consumer Products of Canada, a group representing the Canadian food, beverage and consumer products industry. This comes as the company announced a 1,269 percent increase in gross revenue compared with the same quarter a year before, growth exceeding even the impressive performance of the wider cannabis market.

The changing legal status of CBD and the popularity of its products is just one part of a wider picture of cannabis growth, a picture that appears to be bright and promising for companies establishing a stronghold in the industry.

For more information on Wildflower Brands, visit Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (OTCQB: WLDFF)

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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)

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Cannabis Cultivators Profit from Growing Legal Market

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: The growth the legal cannabis market has created has turned cultivation facilities into invaluable assets.

The cannabis market is predicted to generate $146 billion in revenues by 2025.
Legal changes are accelerating this expansion in the United States and beyond.
Cultivation facilities are fundamental to this growth, providing the raw materials for the cannabis industry.

Cannabis Strategic Ventures (OTC: NUGS) (NUGS Profile) recently announced plans to establish a multi-acre cultivation facility in California to meet market demands. Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is increasing its cultivation space through the acquisition of Natura Naturals Holdings. In addition, the need to equip cultivation facilities is fueling growth for hydroponic suppliers such as GrowGeneration Corp. (OTCQX: GRWG). Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB) has issued a letter of intent to acquire Whistler in an effort to increase cultivation. Meanwhile, Canopy Growth Corp. (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) is looking beyond North America, cultivating new markets in Europe.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Cannabis Cultivation Provides Prime Opportunity

The continuing growth of the cannabis industry has created a powerful investment opportunity around cultivation sites. These farms are the bedrock of the industry, producing the raw materials that are essential to both medical and recreational customers around the world. Given the balance of supply and demand, companies with cultivation sites can practically guarantee themselves a market for their product.

One of the reasons behind the high value of these sites is the continuing development of cannabis-friendly regulations. State and federal laws becoming more cannabis friendly, and as that happens, the industry appears destined for substantial growth.

Potential of the Cannabis Cultivation Market

The growth of the cannabis sector has led to the rise of companies such as Cannabis Strategic Ventures (OTC: NUGS), a holding company for cannabis industry start-ups and growth-stage enterprises that is moving into cannabis cultivation in Northern California. Such companies are keen to talk up the potential of the cannabis market, and unlike some other sectors, cannabis shows every sign of living up to the hype.

The global market for legal marijuana was valued at $9.3 billion dollars in 2016. By the end of 2025, the market is forecast to reach $146.4 billion. That’s staggering growth for an industry that didn’t even exist legally a mere 20 years ago and that has only recently started to attract substantial investor attention.

The largest part of the market is currently medical cannabis and cannabis-derived wellness products. Medical use provided cannabis with its foot in the door of the legal economy, thanks to its applications in providing pain and nausea relief, but the potential has exploded from there. Legalization has allowed better research into the effects of cannabis’ active ingredients, in particular tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The plant is used in a wide variety of health and wellness products tailored to increasingly specific customer bases, such as Cannabis Strategic Ventures’ Fitamins brand, formulated to relieve muscle pain in athletes.

The breakthrough research is driving demand for cannabis in various forms. The plant itself can be preserved and smoked for medical and recreational effects. Plant derivatives are used in a wide range of pills and ointments. And CBD and THC oils can be vaped or used in even more products.

As it becomes easier for companies to legally process cannabis, these companies are exploring making cannabis edibles. The changes are even fostering a surge in the production of hemp, a variety of the cannabis plant that doesn’t contain high-inducing quantities of THC. And in addition to being used in the manufacture of CBD products, hemp is also used to make textile products.

Legal Changes for Cannabis

The societal clamor for access to cannabis’ derivative benefits is driving new waves of legislation, including the legalization of recreational cannabis in several U.S. states as well as countries such as Uruguay and Canada. Across the United States, 70 to 75 percent of the cannabis trade is reportedly still in the hands of criminals, while in states with legalization, only about 30 percent of the activity continues to be criminal, according to Grand View Research. The potential to reduce the income of criminals, increase tax revenue and tackle drug abuse through public health measures are all fueling a movement that could drive even more radical growth in the legal cannabis market over the next generation.

The wave of cannabis-friendly legislation has allowed companies such as Cannabis Strategic Ventures to get their businesses started and access a broad legal customer base. Other legislation has maintained a lower profile but is equally important for the industry. In December, the 2018 Farm Bill belatedly passed through Congress after months of negotiations. In the process, it lifted the ban on commercial hemp, making it far easier for cultivators to produce this form of cannabis.

Even in states where the cannabis industry is already legal, legislation is becoming friendlier towards the industry. The California legislature has proposed a temporary reduction in taxes for cannabis businesses to help them make inroads into the illegal industry. For California-based companies such as Cannabis Strategic Ventures, this is great news as it frees up capital for further expansion and provides the incentive to continue operating in a friendly state.

More Cultivation

Under the circumstances, venturing into production was a natural move for Cannabis Strategic Ventures. With the industry growing and the legal landscape looking friendlier than ever, the company is preparing to break ground on a major new cannabis cultivation site.

The six-acre site in Northern California — dubbed the NUGS Farm — will establish the company as a direct producer and position it to make the most of the potential the market has to offer.

“Establishing the NUGS Farm and securing these licenses are significant milestones for Cannabis Strategic Ventures,” said Simon Yu, CEO of Cannabis Strategic Ventures. “As the cannabis industry expands, and as we work to make cannabis legal on a federal level, Cannabis Strategic Ventures will be in position to touch on all areas of cannabis production.”

Though the main purpose of the farm will be to cater to Californian cannabis users, the largest market for the plant in the United States, the move is also a significant step toward wider operations.

“They say that the way California goes, the direction of the country goes,” added Yu. “We are optimistic that federal regulations will become more cannabis friendly in the near future and are excited for the positive impact it can have on our company.”

With more than 20 licenses for the cultivation, manufacturing and distribution of cannabis within California, Cannabis Strategic Ventures appears to be perfectly positioned to leverage opportunities within the state. In addition, these strategic moves may ideally prepare the company for expansion prospects throughout the rest of the country.

The Rise of the Cannabis Companies

The changing cannabis landscape has led to the emergence of several major players in the industry.

Many of the most important companies are based in Canada, where federal-level legalization and a large market for cannabis have made it easier for businesses to develop. Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is one of the industry leaders, a pioneer in the cultivation, production and distribution of cannabis and its derivatives. With affiliates and subsidiaries in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and most recently Latin America through Tilray Latin America SpA, the company is developing a global presence. It is also expanding within Canada and has recently announced a pending acquisition of Natura Natural Holdings Inc., a multimillion deal that will give Tilray an extra 662,000 square feet of growing space.

The rise of cannabis companies is proving a boon for the suppliers of cultivation equipment as well, especially those specializing in hydroponics. Among those to profit is GrowGeneration Corp. (OTCQX: GRWG), a seller of hydroponic systems and the associated nutrients. Like Tilray, GrowGeneration has developed enough financial power to use acquisition as a route to growth. It recently obtained all the assets of Denver-based Chlorophyll Inc., increasing its influence across the United States.

Another of the big Canadian companies, Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB), has also demonstrated the importance of increasing cultivation space. A large part of the rationale behind its recently announced letter of intent to acquire Whistler was the desire to get hold of that company’s two production facilities. These facilities are expected to produce 5,000 kilograms of quality cannabis a year, providing Aurora an avenue to increase its market share.

Canopy Growth Corp. (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) is looking beyond its immediate market. Though legalization is not as widespread in Europe as in North America, change is also expected there in the long term, and the company is positioning itself to make the most of this. It has established subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and Poland to make the most of the very different situations in those two countries. In Poland, the company has passed through a regulatory process that will allow it to import and sell its cannabis in the country for medical use. In the United Kingdom, where the door has only just opened a crack to the use of cannabis derivatives in the most extreme medical cases, the company has formed a joint venture with a local research group, placing Canopy Growth as one of the first cannabis companies operating in the United Kingdom.

The market for cannabis is expanding as attitudes and laws change. This momentum may drive a need for more product and thereby provide promising opportunities for companies with cultivation facilities.

For more information on Cannabis Strategic Ventures, visit Cannabis Strategic Ventures, Inc. (NUGS)

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Outside Investment, New Technology Support Growing Cannabis Industry

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: Revolutionary innovations and advancements within the cannabis industry are drawing significant investment from big corporations.

Technology currently in development will make it easier to consume active ingredients in cannabis.
Advances have attracted investment for the technology’s use in tobacco as well as cannabis.
These improvements could move consumers to healthier forms of consumption than smoking.

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) (LXRP Profile) has benefited from recent investment by Altria to support its innovative research and design work. Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) has received substantial investment from a beverage company, which will support the development of cannabis drinks. Within the sector, Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB) is in the process of acquiring an organic grower. Outside investment is bolstering Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON), a cannabis company with global reach. And another innovator, GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) (OTC: GWPRF), has run successful trials on a new drug to tackle a form of childhood epilepsy.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Finding Funds for Cannabis

The quest for finance is important in any industry, but for cannabis businesses, which are going through a period of impressive growth thanks to legal and social changes, this need for money is particularly time sensitive. Those who find substantial funding now may be in the best position to expand in the growing market.

Only a select few companies in the cannabis industry have successfully attracted capital from — and built relationships with — Fortune 500-type corporations. Though cannabis is growing, the sector is still relatively small compared with those big names, and the perceived reputational issues can be a deterrent. Even among cannabis companies that have drawn big money, few have established a partnership allowing them to retain control, much less receive money in return for license rights and minority ownership in a subsidiary. Instead, most of these companies aim to be bought out by bigger businesses.

But there have been exceptions.

A Better Deal for a Cannabis Company

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) is an example of one company that has built a big funding deal on its own terms.

Biotech company Lexaria is perhaps most known for its DehydraTECH technology, a revolutionary system for processing molecular compounds to make them more suitable for human consumption. Applicable to molecule such as THC and cannabidiol, the active ingredients in cannabis, the technology makes these compounds taste better, increases the body’s ability to absorb them, and speeds up their impact on the body. Together, these changes can increase the efficacy of both medical and recreational drugs.

To provide the funding for further work on this technology, Lexaria has struck a deal with industry giant Altria, which will cover the use of DehydraTECH to deliver nicotine.

The milestone deal is between Lexaria Nicotine LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lexaria, and a subsidiary of Altria, Altria Ventures Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Altria will initially provide $1 million of finance towards a Lexaria research and development program, with the option for funding of up to $12 million.

Unlike so many other deals in the biotech sector, the partnership won’t see Altria gain any ownership over Lexaria itself. Instead, the company will receive minority ownership of the Lexaria Nicotine subsidiary, with the option to increase its stake in that company through multiple phased private financings. Lexaria retains its independence while benefiting from the money that big tobacco can provide. Critically, Lexaria’s shares have not been diluted by this fresh source of finance.

In addition to a minority stake in Lexaria Nicotine, Altria has received a license to use DehydraTECH technology in oral nicotine delivery products, on an exclusive basis in the United States and a nonexclusive basis elsewhere in the world. This will provide Lexaria with a new revenue stream, as it is slated to receive royalties for any DehydraTECH products Altria launches. The impact on Lexaria’s financial statements of a Fortune 500-derived royalty stream could be significant.

Tobacco companies are eagerly searching for alternatives to traditional cigarettes, to reduce their damaging impact on health and the reputational damage this brings. These factors give Altria a strong motive to develop products using DehydraTECH, providing profits for Lexaria and demonstrating the potential of DehydraTECH to other interested parties.

Starting with a $1 million stake might seem small compared with other big headline deals. But by gaining Altria’s buy in without selling any part of its main company, Lexaria has struck a profitable balance between raising finance and retaining its independence. It’s a unique transaction that other cannabis companies haven’t been able to achieve.

Applying the Technology

Though this recently announced deal is about tobacco, Lexaria’s attention is very much on the cannabis market.

There are three main routes for the active ingredients in cannabis to enter the body — by inhalation, by being placed under the tongue, and by being eaten. Each has its own drawbacks. Inhalation has the highest level of bioavailability, or how much of the chemical is absorbed, but is harmful to the consumer’s lungs. Consumption by under-the-tongue methods has a moderate level of bioavailability but an unpleasant taste. Eating cannabis products has a low level of bioavailability, giving consumers a low bang for their bucks, plus flavor challenges usually met through the addition of large amounts of sugar.

DehydraTECH transforms the situation by seriously reducing the downsides of eating cannabis.

The technology involves combining active ingredients with fatty acids such as those found in sunflower oil, which provide a protective bond, with a patented dehydration process. The molecules within the fatty acids are believed to keep active ingredients away from bitter taste receptors, significantly reducing their unpleasant flavor, thus vastly reducing the need to disguise them with sugar. Low-calorie edibles that taste great are possible!

Fatty acids also help active ingredients in cannabis as they pass through the digestive system. They protect cannabinoids from damage while passing through the stomach, increase the extent to which they’re absorbed by the intestines and can even bypass the liver’s first attempts to filter them out. This leads to much higher absorption, significantly increasing their bioavailability.

This process makes cannabis edibles, which are already healthier than smoking the drug, far more appealing and better value for money. This has led to deals such as Lexaria’s licensing of DehydraTECH to Nuka for use in its cannabis-infused chocolates.

To make the most of this potential, Lexaria has created subsidiaries specializing in the use of DehydraTECH for cannabis. Lexaria CanPharm Corporation focuses on the cannabis market, providing DehydraTECH and other enhancements to the global cannabis industry. The company is in discussions to license its technology in Canada, the United States, and Europe.

Lexaria Hemp Corporation. operates within the related hemp industry, which works with a specific form of cannabis that is low in psychoactive THC but potentially rich in other active ingredients. Lexaria Hemp is in discussions with a number of companies about how its products is used to deliver cannabidiol (CBD) derived from hemp.

With a groundbreaking technology, a carefully developed corporate structure and now a new Fortune 500 source of funding, Lexaria appears to be in a strong position within the cannabis industry.

A Crop of Cannabis Companies

The dramatic growth of legal cannabis in recent years has created a range of important companies focused on the sector.

Like Lexaria, Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) has had success in attracting finance from bigger players outside the cannabis sector. The company has received $4 billion in investment from an American beverage company, which has bought a significant stake in the core company. This will help to finance the development of cannabis-infused drinks and is seen as part of a wider trend, as tobacco and cannabis companies look to vary their product lines while health concerns constrict their sales.

The expansion of the cannabis market has seen a string of investments and purchases within the sector. Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB), one of the big players in Canada, recently signed a letter of intent to acquire Whistler Medical Marijuana Corporation in a deal valued at $175 million. This will give Aurora control of a well-established organic cannabis brand, increasing its market appeal.

Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) has, like Lexaria, drawn investment from Altria, in the amount of CA$2.4 billion. In this case, the funds have come in exchange for shares in the core company, giving Altria a great deal of influence at Cronos. Cronos already does business in North America, Latin America, Europe, Australia and Israel, so this will provide Altria with a way into global cannabis markets, as the spread of legalization expands cannabis markets around the world.

Other companies, such as GW Pharmaceuticals Plc (NASDAQ: GWPH) (OTC: GWPRF), are strongly oriented towards the use of cannabis for medical purposes. As well as selling strains of medical cannabis, GW has been carrying out research to develop medicines based on it. The company recently saw positive results from the second round of trials of an oral solution created to tackle Dravet syndrome, a severe and hard-to-manage form of epilepsy.

With more money coming in from big-value companies and new technology in development, the cannabis industry looks set for a bright year.

For more information on Lexaria Bioscience Corp., visit Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP)

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Companies Explore Market Potential for Ready-to-Drink CBD Beverages

CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage: The market for cannabidiol (CBD) beverages alone could achieve a value of $260 million in the United States by 2022. CBD beverages form part of an even wider market for marijuana-infused drinks that is predicted to reach a value of $600 million in three years’ time.

U.S. market for CBD and THC beverages could reach $600 million by 2022.
Cannabis-infused drinks could outperform other cannabis products.
Non-cannabis and cannabis companies alike are joining this new market.

Savvy companies are looking to position themselves in this burgeoning market, often by partnering with companies that provide invaluable experience in the sector. Youngevity International Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) (YGYI Profile), an established omni-direct lifestyle company, has formed a cross-marketing agreement with a bottled spring water company, which will see the pair develop new products including a ready-to-drink CBD beverage. Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) is partnering with the world’s largest brewer in a $100-million joint venture to research cannabis-infused nonalcoholic drinks. Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) recently received a $4 billion investment from a leading beer maker. Other companies are looking to grow in additional cannabis spaces. Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB) recently received a license from Health Canada permitting the sale of cannabis softgel capsules. And GW Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: GWPH) announced that its FDA-approved anti-epileptic drug is now available in the United States.

To view an infographic of this editorial, click here.

Injecting Growth into Product Portfolios

Recent reports by Canaccord Genuity indicate that cannabis and CBD-infused beverages have the potential to outperform cannabis products, reaching up to 20 percent of the market for cannabis-containing consumables by 2022. “While these trends represent a significant opportunity for U.S. cannabis companies, they have not gone unnoticed by large mainstream beverage players looking to inject growth into their product portfolio,” said Canaccord analyst Bobby Burleson, who also predicts that ready-to-drink CBD beverages will form part of the growing market for wellness drinks.

Indeed, a number of U.S and Canadian pharmaceutical, cannabis, beverage and even lifestyle companies have developed or are planning to develop CBD-infused beverages. These developments often begin with, or result in, new partnerships.

Joining Forces to Share, Build and Develop

Youngevity International Inc. (NASDAQ: YGYI) has entered an exclusive cross-marketing agreement with Icelandic Glacial™. The agreement includes plans to develop new products including CBD drinks in order to extend the market for Youngevity’s lifestyle brands and Icelandic Glacial’s market reach.

Icelandic Glacial bottled water will be added to Youngevity’s roster of health, wellness, food and beverage brands. Owned by Icelandic Water Holdings and registered in Iceland, the Icelandic Glacial brand offers water that comes from the naturally alkaline spring Ölfus Spring, has a low mineral content and is certified CarbonNeutral®.

Youngevity and Icelandic Glacial have agreed to partner for three years. Icelandic Glacial bottled water will be sold alongside Youngevity’s direct selling supplements, including 90 for Life, CBD products, pet supplements and the coffee holdings of Youngevity’s wholly owned subsidiary, CLR Roasters. During the three-year period, Youngevity will not promote any other bottled water, and Icelandic Glacial will not promote any other supplement businesses or products.

“With its rare, naturally occurring, high-pH level, low-mineral content, and unique lava rock filtering system — as well as its positioning as the world’s first CarbonNeutral bottled water company — Icelandic Glacial is perfectly positioned to serve not only customers who want a pure-tasting water that makes them feel and perform their best but also eco-friendly consumers who want to make sure their money goes to brands with a conscience,” said Steve Wallach, CEO of Youngevity International Inc.

Youngevity will use its marketing and multilevel marketing expertise to help Icelandic Glacial build its brand and reach new customers in the United States and around the globe. In return, Icelandic Water Holdings plans to introduce its customers to Youngevity’s health and nutrition products. Icelandic has a 14-year history of serving health and quality-conscious consumers while building a brand known for purity. The company has a completely sustainable operation fueled solely by geothermal and hydroelectric power. Icelandic Water is committed to reaching a target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Entering the CBD Product Market

The development of a ready-to-drink CBD beverage will be the first of the partnership’s potential new products. Future ideas may include possible special products for a range of markets based on CBD and other life-enhancing supplements.

Youngevity first entered the $7.7 billion cannabis industry with the introduction of its Hemp FX™ brand in October 2018. The new product line includes three blends of hemp-derived cannabinoid oil products: a topical cream, softgel capsules and a relaxing sleep oil. Each formula contains organically grown hemp-derived cannabinoids combined with Youngevity signature nutrients.

“Hemp-derived cannabidiol aligns with what we do very well,” said Wallach. “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.”

Youngevity operates a hybrid direct-sales business model combined with e-commerce and social selling to deliver a virtual main street of products and services under one entity. Its entire range includes products from eight top-selling retail categories including health/nutrition, home/family, food/beverage (including coffee), spa/beauty, fashion, essential oils and photo.

A Global Market Worth $22 Billion by 2020

Reports suggest the entire hemp-derived CBD market will hit $22 billion globally by 2022. Much of the focus on CBD-infused products and drinks is towards the healthy lifestyle consumer market. However, more big brand beverage companies are expected to enter the industry and create CBD-infused non-alcoholic beverages for a broader spectrum of consumers. CBD-focused developments and partnerships are likely to increase as industry regulation becomes clearer.

For example, medical cannabis company Tilray (NASDAQ: TLRY) announced a research partnership with Labatt Breweries parent company AB InBev to explore the potential of THC- and CBD-infused non-alcoholic beverages. This partnership will be limited to Canada, with Tilray participating through its Canadian adult-use cannabis subsidiary. The partnership calls for each company investing up to $50 million in the project.

Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED) continues to benefit from a massive multibillion-dollar investment by Corona-beer maker Constellation Brands. The move will extend the collaboration from the development of cannabis-based beverages to co-developing products across a complete range of cannabis extracts. It also allows Canopy Growth to build scale in the more than 30 countries considering legalization of medical cannabis and establish essential infrastructure required to supply new recreational adult-use markets.

After obtaining the required licensing, Aurora Cannabis (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB) has commenced shipments of cannabis softgel capsules for both the Canadian medical and adult-use markets. The company expects to start exporting to international markets early this year. Aurora intends to make its smoke-free softgel product available to all of its domestic and international target markets over time where legally possible. “Softgels are a high-volume, high-margin product for both the medical and adult-use markets that are in strong demand, and Aurora is one of few companies making these products available to patients and consumers alike,” said Aurora CEO Terry Booth.

Apart from cannabis-infused beverages, GW Pharmaceutical’s (NASDAQ: GWPH) product EPIDIOLEX is the first FDA-approved CBD oral medicine available by prescription in the United States for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome in patients two years of age or older. Its Sativex brand was the first-ever natural cannabis plant derivative to achieve market approval.

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

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Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference Will Bring Cannabis Visionaries and Investors Together

Presented by Benzinga, the upcoming cannabis conference will be held at the Eden Roc in Miami Beach, Florida; it is the go-to source event for investors who want the latest news and opportunities from the burgeoning sector
The conference will kick off on January 15 with an invite-only C-Suite retreat for cannabis operators; the audience will be just 100 C-Suite executives; a pre-retreat reception will be held the night prior
The conference will feature company presentations, networking receptions and an all-star lineup of knowledgeable keynote speakers talking about the global opportunities for cannabis

Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference (CCC) will offer attendees a fast-paced comprehensive lineup of speed networking, a specially selected lineup of keynoters, corporate presentations for investors and a look at the future of cannabis internationally. It will be held January 15-16 at the Eden Roc in Miami Beach (www.BenzingaCannabisConference.com).

The attendee mix is expected to consist of 25 percent institutional investors, 20 percent retail investors, 40 percent public cannabis companies, 10 percent private cannabis companies and five percent media.

Reserve your place and book hotel rooms for CCC now at http://cnw.fm/42sPg. Be sure to learn more about how you can qualify for special discounted tickets and hotel rooms.

“Benzinga’s Cannabis Capital Conference brings together the crème de la crème of the cannabis world,” Neal Hamilton, vice president of marketing for Benzinga, stated in a recent press release. “Benzinga has long presided as a financial media leader, offering broad coverage relative to the cannabis space. We now bring that standout expertise to a live setting where entrepreneurs and investors can network, forge deals and learn from today’s top cannabis influencers, policymakers and innovators.”

CCC will showcase the following public and private companies:

AmeriCann Inc. (OTCQB: ACAN)
Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX: ACB) (NYSE: ACB)
Cannex Capital Holdings Inc. (CSE: CNNX) (OTCQX: CNXXF)
Harvest Health & Recreation Inc. (CSE: HARV)
CEDR HR Solutions
CuraLeaf Holdings Inc. (CSE: CURA)
DionyMed Brands Inc. (OTC: HMDEF)
Growcentia
iAnthus Capital Holdings Inc. (CSE: IAN) (OTCQX: ITHUF)
InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OTCQX: IMLFF) (TSX: IN)
KushCo Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: KSHB)
LGC Capital Ltd. (TSX.V: LG)
Liberty Health Sciences Inc. (OTCQX: LHSIF)
MariMed Inc. (OTCQB: MRMD)
Medicine Man Technologies Inc. (OTCQX: MDCL)
Medipharm Labs Corp. (TSX.V: LABS)
MJ Freeway
New Frontier Data
Newstrike Brands Ltd. (TSX.V: HIP)
Plus Products Inc. (CSE: PLUS)
Pure Global Cannabis Inc. (OTC: PRCNF) (TSX.V: PURE)
Radicle Inc./Gage Cannabis
Starbuds/Compass Cannabis
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTC: TCNNF)
Valens GroWorks Corp. (OTCQB: MYMSF)
Wayland Group Corp. (OTCQB: MRRCF) (CSE: WAYL)
High Tide Inc. (CSE: HITI)

For more information, visit the event’s website at www.BenzingaCannabisConference.com

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