Tag: KBEV

420 with CNW – UK Doctors to Start Prescribing Cannabis in November

Doctors in the UK (Wales, Scotland and England) will soon start prescribing cannabis for their patients who have conditions that can be improved by this substance.

This announcement was made by the UK Home Secretary, Sajid Javid. He stated that cannabis would see its status changed from a schedule 1 substance (substances with no therapeutic value but having a high likelihood of being abused) to a schedule 2 controlled substance.

That change would allow doctors to prescribe cannabis-products for those patients who would benefit from such derivatives (CBD oil, for example).

However, cannabis would still be controlled since its new status would still regard it as something that has a high potential for being abused.

The Home Secretary said as much when he reiterated that adult use of cannabis would not be accepted and no patient would be allowed to smoke cannabis as a way of treating his or her condition.

The new regulations that will amend the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 will come into force on November 1.

The amendments come hot on the heels of prominent cases in which several kids were denied the right to use cannabis oil as a way of controlling their epileptic seizures. Those cases were controversial because cannabis oil had been found to be beneficial for people suffering from refractory epilepsy.

The new regulations will permit three avenues through which a person can consume cannabis-based products. The first way is when the patient gets a prescription from a doctor to get a medical product made from cannabis.

The second way through which one can consume a cannabis product is when such a product is being used in an investigational program (clinical study) into which the user has been enrolled.

The third and final way through which one can consume a cannabis product is when such a product has been approved for sale by the relevant regulators. This category includes medicinal cannabis products that have been approved as over the counter products for which a prescription isn’t required.

The regulatory changes by the UK government comes at a time when an expert committee of the World Health Organization is set to meet in November to review the classification of marijuana as a schedule 1 controlled substance. That meeting also comes at a time when Canada has just made history as the first G8 member state to legalize recreational marijuana.

These positive actions in the cannabis industry are pieces of good news to Koios Beverage Corp. (CSE: KBEV) (OTC: KBEVF) and Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) who are convinced about the benefits that this product can bring.

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420 with CNW – American Cannabis Producers Fear Canadian Industry Dominance

Cannabis industry players in the U.S. are concerned that the stubborn insistence on prohibition by the federal government will give Canadian producers a chance to dominate the marijuana industry.

These sentiments were voiced by Derek Peterson, the CEO of marijuana firm Terra Tech based in California. He revealed that industry players in the U.S. are constrained by many factors which put a damper on their growth and activities.

First, cannabis cannot cross state lines since marijuana is still outlawed at the federal level. This restriction means that producers must operate at low capacity just for the market within the state where they are licensed to operate.

Secondly, the players in the marijuana industry cannot access funding from major banks since the banks fear federal repercussions resulting from doing business with an industry that is considered illegal. Marijuana companies therefore face funding challenges each time they want to expand or conduct expensive product research. In contrast, Canadian firms are trading publicly and amassing capital.

The third impediment is that Customs and Border Protection has vowed to deny entry to any marijuana industry investors. This has deterred some foreign nationals who may have wished to put their money in U.S. cannabis companies.

These shortcomings have given a chance to Canadian companies to spread their operations to the U.S. For example, Tilray was recently permitted to export marijuana extract capsules for use during a study on the impact of cannabis on essential tremor. This was after the researchers convinced the DEA that such products weren’t available locally.

Such inroads are likely to grow over time since Canada has had a head start due to the forward-looking regulatory framework that was passed in Canada upon the legalization of medical cannabis years back and the impending decriminalization of adult use of marijuana a few days from now.

Private firms were allowed to participate in the industry right from its legalization, and that private enterprise has permitted Canada to be a world leader in this young industry. In contrast, the U.S. has for long allowed only Mississippi University to hold the sole license for cannabis cultivation until states started decriminalizing marijuana and licensing their own producers.

The U.S. is therefore having to play catch up with Canada, but the federal prohibitionist stance still limits how quickly the domestic industry can grow since the players are fragmented and can only operate in small jurisdictions. The large U.S. market will only be exploited fully for rapid growth once cannabis is legalized at the federal level. That decriminalization will allow firms like Koios Beverage Corp. (CSE: KBEV) (OTC: KBEVF) and Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) to put all their energies in capturing the massive potential market across the nation.

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

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420 with CNW – Malaysia Considers Legalizing Medical Marijuana

A young man aged 29 was arrested, charged and sentenced to death for being found with a few liters of cannabis oil in Malaysia. Cannabis on all its forms is illegal in this Asian country. However, the uproar about that conviction and sentence has forced the cabinet of that country to have a discussion about decriminalizing marijuana for medical purposes. Muhammad Lukman, the young man in question, had argued in court that the cannabis oil and other products were for helping patients suffering from cancer and other terminal diseases.

Change.org drafted a petition calling for Lukman to be freed and that petition has so far been signed by more than 60,000 people.

Xavier Jayakumar, the Minister in charge of Water, Land and Natural Resources in Malaysia revealed that he was comfortable with voting to legalize medical cannabis if it could help patients in the Asian country.

However, he was well aware that convincing his cabinet colleagues to decriminalize marijuana would be no small feat since opinions are strongly against cannabis. Matters aren’t helped by the fact that there is limited research in that country showing the medicinal benefits of marijuana.

The task of changing the legislation of cannabis is likely to be harder given that the health ministry in that country doesn’t believe that cannabis has any medical value. The views of that ministry are likely to carry a lot of weight when that matter is formally tabled for consideration.

This prohibitionist stance by the Ministry of Health in Malaysia is in stark contrast to the counterpart Ministry in Thailand where pressure is being piled on the government to pass legislation allowing cannabis to be used for medical purposes. Such a decision would also boost the economy since Thailand can produce and export the product around the world following the lead of Canada.

It should be remembered that no country on the Asian continent has legalized medical or recreational cannabis. In fact, the possession, trafficking and consumption of cannabis can attract the death sentence in most Southeast Asian countries. Singapore and Indonesia are notable for routinely handing out capital sentences to anyone found using cannabis.

It therefore remains to be seen whether the cabinet’s interest in medical cannabis will mature into a law regulating the use of marijuana for medical purposes, or whether that interest will fizzle out once Mohammad Lukman is spared the death penalty since the cabinet has already agreed to spare him that punishment. The discussions going on in Malaysia could be of interest to companies like GreenBox POS, LLC (OTC: GRBX) and Kolos Beverages Corp. (CSE: KBEV) (OTC: KBEVF) that would relish the chance to operate in a wider market.

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

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

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

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

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

Adding to Health and Wellness

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

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

Reaching into the Grocery Market

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

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

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

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

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

Changing Regulations Drive Growth

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

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

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

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

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

Building a Business

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

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

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

Surge of CBD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About CannabisNewsWire

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

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