Tetra Bio-Pharma Takes One Step Closer to the Commercialization of Cannabis Oil-Based Retail Products
Momentum Public Relations
Press Release: September 24, 2018
Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc., a leader in cannabinoid-based drug discovery and development (TSX VENTURE: TBP) (OTCQB: TBPMF), has made significant progress in its clinical trial for PPP005 the cannabis oil-based capsules destined for the natural health products market.
Tetra and its clinical research partner, Santé Cannabis, announced that the clinical trial in non-cancer chronic pain patients will be completed later this autumn as promised. This was the first clinical trial of its kind in evaluating the safety and efficacy of different doses and ratios of cannabis oils versus placebo. The study included a dose titration phase (gradually bringing patients to the required dose) allowing us to better understand the side effect profile of the oils as well as the development of tolerance to these effects. Thus far, no other company in the medical cannabis space has undertaken such an exhaustive study to understand the therapeutic benefits and side effects of a cannabis oil-based capsule.
Dr. Chamberland, interim CEO and CSO added, “We continue to deliver on our business model that provides for evidence-based research to support the usage of cannabis-derived products and provide the medical community with the data they have been demanding from this sector. The trial has already provided unique valuable clinical data on both safe and efficacious dose levels of CBD and THC-CBD oils. This data will allow Tetra to advance to the next phase of product development wherein the company is developing products for its commercial partner Genacol Corporation Canada, as well as food supplements for the retail market and finally, our capsules that we intend to use in the treatment of chronic and cancer related pain. Tetra has already established itself as a trailblazer in the natural health product segment with the announcement of our intention to launch a Hemp Energy Drink and we intend to build on that momentum.”
About Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc.
Tetra Bio-Pharma (TSX-V: TBP) (OTCQB: TBPMF) is a biopharmaceutical leader in cannabinoid-based drug discovery and development with a Health Canada approved, and FDA reviewed, clinical program aimed at bringing novel prescription drugs and treatments to patients and their healthcare providers. The Company has several subsidiaries engaged in the development of an advanced and growing pipeline of Bio Pharmaceuticals, Natural Health and Veterinary Products containing cannabis and other medicinal plant-based elements. With patients at the core of what we do, Tetra Bio-Pharma is focused on providing rigorous scientific validation and safety data required for inclusion into the existing bio pharma industry by regulators, physicians and insurance companies.
For more information visit: www.tetrabiopharma.com
- Published in Life Sciences, Medical Marijuana, News Home, Tetra Bio Pharma
CROP Boosts Nevada CBD Farm to 1,865 Acres
Momentum Public Relations
Press Release: September 24, 2018
CROP Infrastructure Corp. (CSE: CROP) (OTC: CRXPF) announced today that its subsidiary, Elite Ventures Group LLC, has signed a 3-year lease agreement for 800 additional acres of turn key pivot-irrigated agricultural property. The lease cost will be $550 USD per acre in 2019 and $700 USD per acre 2020 forward, paid quarterly commencing in March 2019. The property is in close proximity to CROP’s existing 1,065-acre Hemp CBD Farm in Nye County Nevada.
The combined Nevada properties, including the original one of 315 acres, have a total pivoted area of 1,340 acres but will require the installation of additional pivots and water wheels at a cost of $300,000 USD. Seasonal fertilizer, planting and seed costs are not expected to exceed $600,000 USD. All harvesting and commercial drying equipment have been paid for during the 2018 season.
According to cannabis industry analysts the Brightfield Group, it is estimated the hemp-CBD market alone could hit $22 billion by 2022.
The two existing strains planted during the 2018 season with approximately 12-19% CBD will be planted for 2019 along with 3 additional genetics in the same range of CBD. The farm will be planted and maintained to be organic to ensure the end product is to the specification of interested buyers.
CROP CEO, Michael Yorke, stated: “CROP is preparing for the upcoming Hemp Farming Act of 2018 which would remove hemp’s controlled substance designation, thus legalizing the crop under federal law, and allowing CBD isolate to be sold across all 50 states and exported internationally. As we enter the next phase of project development in Nevada we look forward to building our GMP extraction facility and introducing our made in America CBD Isolate to infuse in to our recently announced CannaDrink beverages and licensed topical lines.”
Yorke concluded: “CROP has the largest real estate foot print in Nevada dedicated to hemp-CBD. Once the additional upgrades are completed, we anticipate that our tenant and brand licensee will have 1,340 acres under irrigation. With two crops expected annually in 2019 we foresee a harvest potential of approximately 2,680,000 lbs of CBD flower. We expect to comfortably use funds from our 2018 harvest (next 30-60 days) to organically grow into the projects new foot print.”
CROP Nevada Hemp Initiatives For 2019
- Develop 300 acres additional pivots on newly leased land as per announced as per August 22, 2018
- Planting of 1,340 acres of High CBD Hemp strains
- Initial 1-ton per day processing capability GMP ISO 9000 extraction facility for pharmaceutical grade CBD
Hemp Farming Act of 2018
The Bill, supported by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, is awaiting congressional approval, which would replace the 2017 Farm Bill, which expires on September 30th. The full legalization of hemp would open the door for investment and provide access to a full range of financial, market development and advisory services that have been unavailable because of its classification as a controlled substance. These services would include small business loans (SBA’s), federal crop insurance, access to banking, USDA research.
About CROP
Crop Infrastructure Corp. is publicly listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange and trades under the symbol “CROP” and in the US under the symbol “CRXPF”. CROP is primarily engaged in the business of investing, constructing, owning and leasing greenhouse projects as part of the provision of turnkey real estate solutions for lease-to-licensed cannabis producers and processors offering best-in-class operations. The Company’s portfolio of projects includes cultivation properties in California and Washington State, Nevada, Italy, Jamaica and a joint venture on West Hollywood and San Bernardino dispensary applications. CROP has developed a portfolio of assets including Canna Drink a cannabis infused functional beverage, US and Italian distribution rights to over 55 cannabis topical products and a portfolio of 16 Cannabis brands.
Company Contact
Michael Yorke – CEO & Director
E-mail: info@cropcorp.com
Website: www.cropcorp.com
Phone: (604) 484-4206
- Published in Business, CROP Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Medical Marijuana, News Home
North Bud Farms Launches “CEO Verified” Discussion Forum on AGORACOM to Act as Primary Investor Social Media Platform
Momentum Public Relations
Press Release: September 21, 2018
North Bud Farms Inc. (“NORTHBUD” or the “Company”) (CSE:NBUD) is pleased to announce the launch of a “CEO Verified” Discussion Forum on AGORACOM. The forum will serve as the Company’s primary social media platform to interact with both shareholders and the broader investment community in a fully moderated environment.
The Company will also receive significant exposure through millions of content brand insertions on the AGORACOM network and extensive search engine marketing over the next 12 months. In addition, exclusive sponsorships of invaluable digital properties such as AGORACOM TV, the AGORACOM home pageand the AGORACOM Twitter account will serve to significantly raise the brand awareness of the Corporation among small cap investors.
MODERATED DISCUSSION FOR PUBLIC COMPANY EXECUTIVES AND SHAREHOLDERS
AGORACOM “CEO Verified” provides the first ever identity verification of small cap executives on a finance platform. For the first time ever, small cap CEO’s and other company officers can post or communicate within a discussion forum without the risk of impersonation leading to catastrophic consequences. As the ultimate influencers of their own companies, “CEO Verified” Forums will create incredible levels of engagement between companies and investors that have long desired civilized, constructive and factual conversation, with no limitations as to the number of characters.
Posts to AGORACOM are shareable on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, which enables the Company to continue utilizing these channels while making AGORACOM the primary HUB of investor engagement.
There are no log-in requirements for investors to visit the forum and read posts. Those wishing to post questions, comments and interact with company officers can quickly log-in using their Facebook or LinkedIn accounts, or create an anonymous new user account.
The North Bud Farms Discussion Forum can be found at:
https://agoracom.com/ir/NorthBudFarms
Verified officer at launch:
- Ryan Brown, CEO
- Edward Miller, VP of Investor Relations
Ryan Brown, Founder and CEO stated, “Social media participation is very important for growth companies such as ours and AGORACOM forums are purpose built to facilitate intelligent discussions. I encourage everyone to read and participate in our CEO Verified Discussion Forum to create great, vibrant and constructive discussion for the long-term benefit of everyone.”
George Tsiolis, AGORACOM Founder stated “This is a service that is long overdue for small cap companies, executives and long-term shareholders that have had no choice but to watch their company message get hijacked on unmonitored forums by unscrupulous investors. CEO Verified Discussion Forums is the killer solution and it is free, so every small cap CEO in North America should be using it and every small cap shareholder should be demanding it.”
SHARES FOR SERVICES
The Company intends to issue common shares in the capital of the Company (the “Common Shares”) to AGORA in exchange for the Services. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Company will be issuing a total fee of $50,000 (plus HST), to be paid as follows:
- $50,000 + HST to be paid via Shares For Services
- $10,000 + HST Shares For Services upon Commencement September 15, 2019 for initial set up of HUB, marketing materials and search engine programs.
- $10,000 + HST Shares For Services at end of Third Month December 15, 2018
- $10,000 + HST Shares For Services at end of Sixth Month March 15, 2019
- $10,000 + HST Shares For Services at end of Ninth Month June 15, 2019
- $10,000 + HST Shares For Services at end of Twelfth Month September 15, 2019
The number of Common Shares to be issued at the end of each period will be determined by using the closing price of the Common Shares of the Company on the Canadian Securities Exchange (“CSE”) on the first trading day following the end of each period for which the Services were provided by AGORA.
The term of the Agreement is for 12 months effective September 15, 2018 and the Agreement is subject to exchange approval.
About North Bud Farms Inc.
North Bud Farms Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary GrowPros MMP Inc. which was acquired in February 2018, is pursuing a license under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR). North Bud Farms will be constructing a state-of-the-art purpose-built cannabis production facility located on 95 acres of Agricultural Land in Low, Quebec. North Bud Farms will be focused on Pharmaceutical and Food Grade cannabinoid production in preparation for the legalization of edibles and ingestible products scheduled for October 2019.
For more information visit: www.northbud.com
About AGORACOM
AGORACOM is the pioneer of online marketing, broadcasting, conferences and investor relations services to North American small and mid-cap public companies, with more than 300 companies served. AGORACOM is the home of more than 767K investors that visited 5.2 million times and read 53 million pages of information every year. The average duration of visit of 8min 43sec is more than double that of global financial sites, which can be attributed to the implementation and enforcement of the strongest moderation rules in the industry (All Metrics Average 2008 -2017).
AGORACOM traffic ranks within the top 0.5% of all websites around the world. These traffic results are independently tracked and verified by Google analytics. AGORACOM traffic can be attributed to its strategy of maintaining the cleanest, moderated small-cap discussion, as well as, implementation of the first ever Investor Controlled Stock Discussion Forums in 2007. 10 years later, in 2017, AGORACOM launched the first ever “CEO Verified” Discussion Forums to allow Small Cap CEO’s and Company officers to post comments in a fully verified, moderated and social media shareable environment.
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the “CSE”) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-looking statements
Certain statements included in this press release constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, “forward-looking statements”), including those identified by the expressions “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “should” and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect current expectations regarding future results or events. This press release contains forward- looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and various estimates, factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the risk factors included in North Bud Farms’ final long form prospectus dated August 21, 2018 which is available under the issuer’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
North Bud Farms Inc.
Edward Miller
VP, IR & Communications
Office: (855) 628-3420 ext. 3
investors@northbud.com
- Published in Medical Marijuana, News Home, NorthBud
North Bud Farms Closes $944,500 Private Placement
Momentum Public Relations
Press Release: September 20, 2018
North Bud Farms Inc. (CSE: NBUD) (the “Corporation“), is pleased to announce the closing of a non-brokered private placement offering (the “Private Placement“) consisting of 3,778,000 units (“Units“), at a price of $0.25 per Unit, for gross proceeds of $944,500. Each Unit is comprised of one Common Share and one-half (1/2) of a Common Share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder hereof to acquire one additional Common Share at a price of $0.40 per Common Share until September 20, 2020. No fees or commissions were paid in connection with the Private Placement. The terms of the Private Placement are the same as the Corporation’s previously-completed private placement (July 25, 2018, as disclosed in the Corporation’s prospectus dated August 21, 2018).
Mr. Andre Audet, the Chairman of the Corporation, participated in the Private Placement by subscribing for 200,000 Units (the “Insider’s Participation“). The Insider’s Participation is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements provided under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101“) in accordance with sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101. The exemption is based on the fact that neither the fair market value of the Insider’s Participation nor the consideration paid by such insider exceeds 25% of the Corporation’s market capitalization. The Corporation did not file a material change report at least 21 days prior to the completion of the Private Placement since the Insider’s Participation was not determined at that moment.
The Corporation intends to use the proceeds of the Private Placement to continue to advance the license application of GrowPros MMP Inc. under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) and for general working capital purposes.
The securities acquired by the subscribers are subject to a hold period of four months plus one day from the closing date, ending on January 21, 2019, except as permitted by applicable securities legislation.
About North Bud Farms Inc.
North Bud Farms Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary GrowPros MMP Inc. which was acquired from Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc. (TSX-V: TBP) (OTCQB: TBPMF) in February 2018, is pursuing a license under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR). North Bud Farms will be constructing a state-of-the-art purpose-built cannabis production facility located on 95 acres of Agricultural Land in Low, Quebec. North Bud Farms will be focused on Pharmaceutical and Food Grade cannabinoid production in preparation for the legalization of edibles and ingestible products scheduled for October 2019.
For more information visit: www.northbud.com
- Published in Medical Marijuana, News Home, NorthBud
North Bud Farms to trade on CSE Sept. 20
Momentum Public Relations
Press Release: September 19, 2018
The common shares of North Bud Farms Inc. have been approved for listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange.
Listing and disclosure documents will be available on the CSE website on the trading date.
North Bud Farms, through its wholly owned subsidiary, GrowPros MMP Inc., is pursuing a licence under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR). North Bud Farms will be constructing a state-of-the-art purpose-built cannabis production facility located on 95 acres of agricultural land in Low, Que. North Bud Farms will be focused on pharmaceutical- and food-grade cannabinoid production in preparation for the legalization of edibles and ingestible products scheduled for October, 2019.
Issuer: North Bud Farms
Security type: common shares
Symbol: NBUD
Number of securities issued and outstanding: 51,768,000
Number of securities reserved for issuance: 11,629,000
CSE sector: life sciences
Cusip No.: 658043 10 4
ISIN: CA 658043 10 4 8
Board lot: 500
Trading currency: Canadian dollar
Trading date: Sept. 20, 2018
Other exchanges: not applicable
Fiscal year-end: Nov. 30
Transfer agent: Computershare Investor Services Inc.
- Published in Medical Marijuana, News Home, NorthBud
Tetra spinout North Bud to start trading tomorrow
Momentum Public Relations
Press Release: September 19, 2018
North Bud Farms Inc. (“NORTHBUD” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce that its common shares will commence trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange (“CSE”) at the opening of the market on Thursday, September 20, 2018 under the stock symbol “NBUD”.
“We are proud to achieve this milestone in advance of the historic legalization of Cannabis in Canada on October 17, 2018 and less than 10 months since the Company’s inception which is a testament to the dedication and execution of our experienced management team,” said Ryan Brown, Founder and CEO of North Bud Farms.
Concurrently with the CSE listing, the Company also announces that the board of directors has authorized the grant of 5,100,000 incentive stock options to certain of its directors, officers, employees and consultants. Each such option entitles the holder to acquire one common share for a period of 5 years at an exercise price of $0.25 per common share.
About North Bud Farms Inc.
North Bud Farms Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary GrowPros MMP Inc. which was acquired from Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc. (TSX-V: TBP) (OTCQB: TBPMF) in February 2018, is pursuing a license under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR). North Bud Farms will be constructing a state-of-the-art purpose-built cannabis production facility located on 95 acres of Agricultural Land in Low, Quebec. North Bud Farms will be focused on Pharmaceutical and Food Grade cannabinoid production in preparation for the legalization of edibles and ingestible products scheduled for October 2019.
For more information visit: www.northbud.com
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the “CSE”) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
- Published in Life Sciences, Medical Marijuana, News Home, Tetra Bio Pharma
Moody’s Predicts Battery Metal Shortage
Walmart, Pepsi, UPS, Annheuser-Busch and Loblaw are all buying Tesla Electric Semis with a Two Year Payback
California Going Carbon Neutral
Momentum Public Relations
Blog: September 18 2018
Early September featured a couple of announcements that bode well for Mother Nature, energy efficiency, battery metals and battery metals investors.
First there was an announcement by Walmart Canada that it had ordered 30 Tesla 18 wheelers for its delivery fleet. This joins an earlier order for ten all electric 18 wheelers for a total of 40 and joins orders from Fortigo Transport and Loblaws.
The Canadian Press story by Ross Marowits appeared on September 6th and quoted Walmart as saying that the electric transportation trucks would cost less than diesel to run.
Walmart intends to electrify 20% of its transportation fleet by 2022 and the entire fleet by 2028. Half of the fleet will be used in Mississauga while the other half will go to Walmart’s Surrey distribution center which is under construction with a 2022 move-in date. The Surrey operation will be Walmart’s first completely electric distribution facility.
According to Tesla the trucks will be able to go from 0-100km/h in 20 seconds, fully loaded. Tesla also maintains that the trucks will be the safest trucks on the market because of enhanced autopilot, and blind spot cameras. The driver’s seat will be in the middle of the cab offering the driver an improved ability to see everything on the road. The top of the line model will have an 800 km range.
Tesla also claims that because there are fewer automotive systems to maintain and because electricity cost less than half the price of diesel that the Tesla Semi will provide $200,000 in energy savings and a scant two year payback period.
In April, Business Insider stated that Pepsi had ordered 100 trucks, Anheuser-Busch 40 and UPS 125. The story also said that Loblaws had ordered 25 of the trucks and intended to be 100% electric by 2030.
The good news for battery metals investors is that despite Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate accord major American industry is moving away carbon and towards fleet electrification.
Further good news for battery metals investors and producers came when Jerry Brown, Governor of California announced that the state would be carbon neutral by 2045. In a story published in the Guardian on September 11, 2018 Oliver Millman reported that not only was California going carbon neutral, with all of its electricity generated by renewable resources but that Brown had also signed an executive order that the state eliminate all net emissions across its economy including transportation and agriculture by the same date.
The story goes on to note that Brown had successfully reduced greenhouse gases from the state back to 1990 levels and done so during a time of strong economic growth. By doing so Brown proved false the claims that promoting energy efficiency and reducing emissions strangled the economy.
A May 5, 2018 story in Fortune stated that California, with an economy valued at US$2.7 trillion and a population of 39.5 million had a larger economy than the entire UK with a population of 65.6 million. In terms of global economies California ranks fifth after the USA, China, Japan and Germany.
A May 1, 2018 story in mining.com by Cecilia Jasmasmie should provide those who have already bought into battery metals confidence in their investments. According to the story, credit rating and investors research house Moody’s has predicted a slowing in electric vehicle uptake because of a looming shortage of battery metals. Nothing drives price like demand.
Moody’s analysts posited that declining copper ore values and a lack of investment in new copper mines would hobble EV production. Moody’s has also predicted that the amount of copper used in EV production could multiply by a factor of six.
The company also predicts that cobalt, lithium and nickel will be in short supply.
All of the above argues a robust future for the right kind of battery metal mine. The wiley investor might be delighted by the thought that because electric cars and their batteries are the future that it might be more than a good idea to invest in a battery metal miner that could also be described as having found a way to bring mining technology into the future.
Canada Cobalt Works, (TSXV: CCW) fits that description. The company’s flagship property is the Castle Mine Silver/Cobalt Project located on a 128 square km land package in Cobalt, Ontario. Cobalt has been primarily seen as silver camp and the Castle Mine was a big silver producer until it was shut down because of low silver prices.
Now it is rising again thanks to the vision and ability of CEO and President Frank Basa. Basa understands the mineralization at Castle because he worked there during the 1980s when silver production was in full bloom. Castle was one of the highest grade silver producers in the camp with head grades of 15+ ounces of silver per ton.
Cobalt is usually found in small percentages mixed in with other ores. In Cobalt the cobalt was found mixed in with silver, nickel and at Castle recent bulk sampling has shown some gold. In general 0.05% cobalt is considered a good grade.
Recent bulk sampling at Castle showed 1.05% to 5.2% cobalt, averaging out to 2.3%. In the world of cobalt this is high grade ore. Canada Cobalt Works has a host of advantages going for it and management that means to wring value out of every penny spent. There are 11 different levels at Castle which means that mine infrastructure doesn’t need to be built.
The company started bulk sampling in June. Thanks to Basa, who has invented a proprietary green technology processing method, Re-20X the company doesn’t have to build a smelter because Re-20X produces 99% recoveries for cobalt and 81% for nickel. This is a value added proposition because it will also allow the company to produce cobalt sulphate, the very building block of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.
As well the company plans to process the waste rock from the time that cobalt was simply thrown away and use Re-20X to recover the battery metals from computers and cell phones. All in all, CCW has the ability to produce, cobalt, silver, manganese and nickel. An added plus is that they have also recently found gold showings. If you believe in the future you should take a look at Canada Cobalt Works.
This blog has been written for information purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice.
- Published in Blog, Canada Cobalt Works, Mining, News Home
Coca-Cola Planning to Have Drinks With Aurora Cannabis?
Momentum Public Relations
Blog: September 18 2018
Coca-Cola Planning to Have Drinks With Aurora Cannabis
Global Soft Drink Market Pegged at US$605.6 Billion by 2025
Marijuana Industry Acquisitions Continue
Acquisitions, partnerships, branding and product development have all been on the increase in the legal marijuana industry this year as recreational marijuana legalization comes closer to becoming reality.
You can now begin to see a consumer product rollout that is remarkable in many ways. A new industry that cuts a broad swath in consumer goods is being developed and that Canadian industry is doing its best to reach out and conquer world markets. As well as medical and recreational marijuana CBD infused cosmetic and wellness products are being developed, as well as hemp clothing and THC infused beer.
On Monday September 17, 2018 the news broke that Coca-Cola (KO-NYSE) and Aurora Cannabis (ACB-TSX) were in talks about developing a non-psychoactive cannabis infused soft drink. CNBC reported that pot stocks jumped on the news with Aurora gaining more than 15% as of mid-day. Speculation exists that Coke wants to develop a CBD infused beverage in Canada so that it can launch it in America when marijuana laws there are relaxed.
Earlier in the summer Molson-Coors announced a deal with Hydropothecary (HEXO-TSX) to develop a THC infused beer. Marijuana is going mainstream faster than imagined and industry players are scrambling to gain a piece of what may be one of the last and biggest market rollouts.
Coca-Cola is the largest beverage company in the world and if the Molson-Coors (TAP-NYSE) Hydropothecary beer agreement didn’t give the industry legitimate credibility then the forthcoming agreement with Coca-Cola should. Based on information from an anonymous source the story said that if consummated the partnership would develop health-focused beverages or recovery drinks designed to alleviate inflammation, pain and cramping.
In a statement Aurora issued to CNBC the company described the infused-beverage space as having “incredible potential.” In a statement that Coca-Cola sent to CNBC Coke said: “Along with others in the beverage industry, we are closely watching the growth of non-psychoactive CBD as an ingredient in functional wellness beverages around the world. The space is evolving quickly. No decisions have been made at this time.” The anonymous source described the discussions as “serious.”
Grand View Research has predicted that the global soft drink market will hit US$605.6 billion by 2025.
Crop Infrastructure (CROP-CSE) announced on September 13, 2018 in a press release that it too was entering the soft drink market with a cannabis-infused beverage, Canna Drink, that would have zero calories, be non-GMO, ketogenic-friendly and be available in both tea and coffee versions. Crop Infrastucture Director and CEO Michael Yorke said in the release that: “We see it as a tremendous opportunity for Crop Infrastructure’s branding & IP portfolio and as an auxiliary opportunity for each of our cultivation tenants globally.”
“Functional beverages are a new class of products that offer beyond basic nutritional ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids and probiotics. We believe that cannabis’s medically known benefits will enhance our own formulations, so we are bang on target with our CANNA DRINK line.”
Crop Infrastructures is a sophisticated company that has modelled its business plan on REITs, creating a real estate type marijuana investment trust. It owns properties in jurisdictions where recreational marijuana is legal and offers tenants infrastructure, branding and expertise. The company has recently expanded to Jamaica . Crop has also announced that by the end of the year it will open two retail locations in Northern Italy to sell the Urban Juve product line of hemp oil infused wellness, cosmetic and therapeutic products.
While the secondary market, products infused with CBDs, is roaring into life, acquisitions and agreements are still being made as legalization approaches.
Aurora Cannabis’ $290-million all share deal to buy ICC Labs is the latest acquisition to fuel rising share prices. Aurora has already bought up to 10 companies in the last two years. The deal is a reminder that Canada is not the only marijuana playing field and that industry leaders are busily paving the way for international expansion when more countries legalize recreational consumption.
In a telephone interview with The GrowthOp, Postmedia’s marijuana news website, Aurora’s chief corporate officer Cam Battley said: “We feel a significant sense of urgency to rapidly establish a powerful global footprint. We see ICC as the jewel of the South American market. This is going to be our anchor in South America and we have very big plans for that continent.”
The jewel that prompted Aurora’s purchase was the fact that ICC has 70% or more of the Uruguayan market. Uruguay legalized marijuana in 2013, becoming the first country in the world to do so. As well as having majority market share in Uruguay, ICC Labs also comes with Columbian licenses to grow medical marijuana and an agreement to sell CBD products to Mexico.
In the meantime, Aphria (APH-TSX) has more or less cleared the decks by selling its interest in Liberty Health Sciences for almost $60 million. According to a Canadian Press article published on September 6, 2018 in the Financial Post Aphria has sold the shares to several investors and the deal contains an option to repurchase the shares within five years.
Aphria now has money in its war chest to finance further acquisitions and opportunities. TSX regulations forced the company to sell its shares in Liberty because marijuana is illegal under federal American legislation and Aurora was threatened with delisting if it did not comply. The company intends to return to the American market when regulations change, hence the buyback option.
Canada’s largest marijuana producer, Canopy Growth(WEED-TSX), appears to just keep getting bigger. On September 5, 2018 it announced that it had acquired Hiku Brands in exchange for Canopy Growth shares. The deal improves Canopy’s retail and branding position.
Hiku is an attractive acquisition for Canopy. It has a subsidiary, DOJA Cannabis, a licensed ACMPR producer with two British Colombia based production facilities in the Okanogan Valley. Another subsidiary, TS Brandco Holdings has one of four master retail licenses in Manitoba. The company also has a chain of retail outlets branded as Tokyo Smoke in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.
All of this only goes to show that the Canadian marijuana industry is a global leader and that as countries begin to decriminalize possession, Canadian companies will be able to significantly grow their operations because of their existing footprint. All the major Canadian marijuana producers have foreign operations.
This blog was written for information purposes only and should not be mistaken for investment advice. In the interests of transparency Crop Infrastructure is a Momentum client.
DIAGNOS to Provide Retinal Image Analysis using its AI Technology to 20/20NOW, the Leading Ocular Telehealth Provider in the United States
Momentum Public Relations
Press Release: September 18, 2018
Diagnos Inc. (“DIAGNOS” or “the Corporation”) (TSX Venture:ADK), (OTCQB: DGNOF), a leader in early detection of critical health issues through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), announces today a three-year agreement to provide its CARA (Computer Assisted Retina Analysis) to 20/20NOW. 20/20NOW will use CARA to upload their retinal images and retrieve the results after analysis by our algorithms to detect anomalies caused by diabetic retinopathy in real time. Identifying diabetic retinopathy (“DR”) in its early stages, when it’s most treatable, is critical to prevent blindness and help at lowering health care costs.
“At DIAGNOS, we’re pleased to welcome an innovative company, 20/20NOW, as a new customer and business partner. We also want to extend a warm welcome to their network of more than 60 customers located across the United States. We will exclusively provide rapid and early detection of DR to their customers in the optical space. As 20/20NOW expands their network, we will provide them with fast and reliable detection of DR. As we introduce new healthcare applications, we will work with 20/20NOW to leverage their network and provide early detection of other illnesses to the benefit of their patients.” said Yves-Stephane Couture, Vice-President of Sales at DIAGNOS.
Telehealth industry veteran and 20/20NOW CEO, Chuck Scott, stated “Our mission at 20/20NOW is to expand access to comprehensive eye exams while also improving the standard of care, at a lower cost to our patients. Through the use of cutting-edge AI technology provided by DIAGNOS, our Ocular Telehealth eye exams represent a cost-effective tool to help solve one of the most pressing health care issue in our country today.”
Mr. Scott further stated “The opportunity exists to combine the use of AI and Ocular Telehealth to cost effectively screen and detect other critical health diseases beyond diabetic retinopathy. We believe there will be a vast array of ocular diseases that can be detected through AI and retinal screenings in the future. We look forward to partnering with DIAGNOS to bring these capabilities to market.”
About 20/20NOW
20/20NOW is the pioneer and innovator of ocular telehealth. Using state-of-the-art technology, proprietary software and patented exam processes, 20/20NOW provides comprehensive eye exams, including eye health screenings, via telehealth. The company’s telehealth model allows eye care professionals and optical retailers to provide their patients with increased access to high quality eye exams at a lower cost.
Additional information is available at www.for2020now.com.
About DIAGNOS
DIAGNOS is a publicly-traded Canadian corporation with a mission of early detection of critical health issues through the use of its Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) tool CARA (Computer Assisted Retina Analysis). CARA is a tele-ophthalmology platform that integrates with existing equipment (hardware and software) and processes at the point of care. CARA’s Artificial Intelligence image enhancement algorithms make standard retinal images sharper, clearer and easier to read. CARA is accessible securely over the internet, and is compatible with all recognized image formats and brands of fundus cameras, and is EMR compatible. CARA is a cost-effective tool for screening large numbers of patients in real-time and has been cleared for commercialization by several regulatory authorities such as Health Canada, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union.
Additional information is available at www.diagnos.com and www.sedar.com.
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