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Empower Clinics $CBDT.ca Announces Closing of Private Placement the Launch of Immune System Tele-Medicine Services and Patient Visits Up 480% $WEED.ca $CGC $ACB $APH $CRON.ca $OGI.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 7:22 AM on Friday, April 17th, 2020

Empower Clinics closes private placement of $653,000.00 to support the Company growth plan and goes live with physician based immune boosting tele-medicine consultations with online professional supplement dispensing

  • Recently announced digital health initiative, has added physician based tele-medicine consultations to address immune system boosting requirements for existing patients and new patients, on a nationwide basis
  • The Company clinics have also seen a 480% increase in patient visits in the first half of April 2020

VANCOUVER, BC / April 17, 2020 / EMPOWER CLINICS INC. (CSE:CBDT)(Frankfurt:8EC)(OTCQB:EPWCF) (“Empower” or the “Company”), a vertically integrated life sciences company, is pleased to announce the closing of its non-brokered private placement of an aggregate of 16,325,000 units of the Company (each, a “Unit”) at a price of $0.04 per Unit for gross proceeds of $653,000.00 (the “Offering”).

The proceeds of the Offering are expected to be used by the Company for general working capital and corporate purposes.

The Company, as part of the recently announced digital health initiative, has added physician based tele-medicine consultations to address immune system boosting requirements for existing patients and new patients, on a nationwide basis. The Company clinics have also seen a 480% increase in patient visits in the first half of April 2020.

“Securing additional capital provides our Company more flexibility to support our staff and patients, during such a difficult time in history”, said Steven McAuley, Chairman & CEO. “We are hiring physicians and administrative staff right now to meet patient demand and adding technology resources to ensure our new services are available nationwide.”

In addition, our network of physicians will now be able to dispense over 250 premium supplement products to support patients’ needs, through a new online Sun Valley Health supplement store.

“Our new telemedicine platform is extremely robust, giving us the opportunity to provide a variety of modalities to our patients.” said Dustin Klein, Director and SVP Business Development. “We are focused on helping patients boost their immune systems and reduce stress and anxiety that may arise with isolation and social distancing.”

Each Unit is comprised of one Share and one Warrant, with each Warrant exercisable into one Warrant Share at an exercise price of $0.10 per Warrant Share for a period of two years following the Closing.

The Units, and the underlying Shares, Warrants and Warrant Shares (collectively, the “Securities”), are subject to restrictions on resale under applicable Canadian securities laws for a period of four months and one day from the closing of the Offerings. None of the Securities have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would require registration or otherwise be unlawful.

ABOUT EMPOWER

Empower is a vertically integrated health & wellness company operating a network of physician-staffed wellness clinics, focused on helping patients improve and protect their health, through innovative physician recommended treatment options. The Company has its first hemp-derived CBD extraction facility under development, to produce proprietary lines of cannabidiol (CBD) based products to distribute through company owned and franchised clinics, wholesale partnerships, online channels and developing retail channels nationwide in the U.S.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Steven McAuley
Chief Executive Officer

Investors: Dustin Klein
Director
dustin@svmmjcc,com
720-352-1398

Investors: Steven McAuley
CEO
[email protected]
604-789-2146

For French inquiries: Remy Scalabrini, Maricom Inc., E: [email protected], T: (888) 585-MARI

DISCLAIMER FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” (collectively “forward looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements can frequently be identified by words such as “plans”, “continues”, “expects”, “projects”, “intends”, “believes”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “may”, “will”, “potential”, “proposed” and other similar words, or information that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding; the Company’s intention to open a hemp-based CBD extraction facility, the expected benefits to the Company and its shareholders as a result of the proposed acquisitions and partnerships; the effectiveness of the extraction technology; the expected benefits for Empower’s patient base and customers; the benefits of CBD based products; the effect of the approval of the Farm Bill; the growth of the Company’s patient list and that the Company will be positioned to be a market-leading service provider for complex patient requirements in 2019 and beyond. Such statements are only projections, are based on assumptions known to management at this time, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including; that the Company may not open a hemp-based CBD extraction facility; that legislative changes may have an adverse effect on the Company’s business and product development; that the Company may not be able to obtain adequate financing to pursue its business plan; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; failure to obtain any necessary approvals in connection with the proposed acquisitions and partnerships; and other factors beyond the Company’s control. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this release, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable laws.

INTERVIEW: After 478% Increase In Q1 Patients, Empower Clinics $CBDT.ca Adds Telemedicine Access To Physicians and E-Commerce $WEED.ca $CGC $ACB $APH $CRON.ca $OGI.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, April 14th, 2020

With 165,000 patients, Empower Clinics (CBDT:CSE) (EPWCF:OTCQB) has a database that almost every medical cannabis and CBD company would kill for.  Patient visits increased 800% in February. 590% in March and 480% for Q1.  But will Coronavirus social gathering imitations put the clinic network at risk?

No.  In fact, it has had the opposite effect, with the clinics being designated an essential service.  Moreover, Empower had to actually increase operating hours due to demand from existing patients who need their CBD medication more than ever, as well as, new patients who are experiencing anxiety and stress through the COVID-19 pandemic.

BUT THAT WASN’T ENOUGH

The Company has now entered expanded into telemedicine across multiple states for patients who can’t get to a clinic but need a consultation with doctors over the phone to determine the best CBD medications, as well as, 250 new homeopath products for their newly launched immunotherapy initiative …. all which can be fulfilled through the company’s e-commerce platform.

Oh …. and did we mention that psychedelics are on the way?  Empower Clinics has already announced its intention to expand into the field of Psilocybin and psychedelics.  The new telemedicine platform now accelerates this initiative.

Watch this interview with the Company’s CEO, Steven McAuley, who is Six Sigma certified under the quality initiative of legendary GE chairman Jack Welch. We’ve never seen a Six Sigma certified CEO in the Canadian small cap markets. Never …. which also explains how McAuley has been able to guide Empower Clinics through the most disruptive retail environment in recent history and turn it into real growth.

Grab your favourite beverage and settle in to watch what may be your next great small cap investment

INTERVIEW: Empower $CBDT.ca #CBD Clinics Visits Climb By 478% In Q1 As #Coronavirus Stress Drives Demand For CBD $WEED.ca $CGC $ACB $APH $CRON.ca $OGI.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 7:41 PM on Sunday, April 5th, 2020

With 165,000 patients, Empower Clinics (CBDT:CSE) (EPWCF:OTCQB) has a database that almost every medical cannabis and CBD company would kill for.  Patient visits increased 800% in February. 590% in March and 480% for Q1.  But will Coronavirus social gathering imitations put the clinic network at risk?

No.  In fact, it has had the opposite effect, with the clinics being designated an essential service.  Moreover, Empower has had to actually increase operating hours due to demand from existing patients who need their CBD medication more than ever, as well as, new patients who are experiencing anxiety and stress through the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Moreover, the Company has also  entered expanded into telemedicine across multiple states for patients who can’t get to a clinic but need a consultation with doctors over the phone to determine the best CBD medications for home delivery.

Watch this interview with the Company’s CEO, Steven McAuley, who is Six Sigma certified under the quality initiative of legendary GE chairman Jack Welch. We’ve never seen a Six Sigma certified CEO in the Canadian small cap markets. Never …. which also explains how McAuley has been able to guide Empower Clinics through the most disruptive retail environment in recent history.  

Grab your favourite beverage and settle in to watch what may be your next great small cap investment

North Bud Farms Inc. $NBUD.ca – Edible Arrangements: The Global Cannabis Edibles Market $WEED.ca $CGC $ACB $APH $CRON.ca $HEXO.ca $TRST.ca $OGI.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:53 AM on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019

SPONSOR: North Bud Farms Inc. (NBUD:CSE) Sustainable low cost, high quality cannabinoid production and procurement focusing on both bio-pharmaceutical development and Cannabinoid Infused Products. Click Here For More Information

NBUD: CSE

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Edible Arrangements: The Global Cannabis Edibles Market

  • The global cannabis edibles market is one of the most promising segments of the overall industry, presenting a world of opportunity for cannabis edibles companies to set themselves apart with unique and appealing products.
  • For cannabis connoisseurs, cannabis edibles have always been an alluring proposition.

For cannabis connoisseurs, cannabis edibles have always been an alluring proposition. Take something you already enjoy, and add it to something delicious. What’s not to like? The classic “special brownie” and the famous “space cakes” that have been enjoyed at Amsterdam coffee shops for decades are only just the tip of the edibles iceberg. Today, cannabis is being added to candy, artisanal baked goods, coffee, jerky, pizza, upscale cuisine and so much more, meaning the possibilities are endless for the global cannabis edibles market.

It’s no surprise that the Canadian legal cannabis industry is hungrily eyeing cannabis edibles as they promise to account for a huge portion of the overall cannabis market as soon as Health Canada allows it. In the meantime, however, this highly promising market segment faces some significant regulatory challenges. That won’t stop companies from taking an interest in edibles, as they already make up a huge portion of the market in legal jurisdictions where they are allowed, such as California and Nevada.

Edibles to take cannabis market by storm

The consumer appeal of edibles is obvious. The sheer amount of variability creates countless possibilities for cannabis companies looking to make their products stand out. Edibles can be tailored to any type of cannabis consumer, from high-end dark chocolates served at posh dinner parties to gummy candies enjoyed before a rock concert. It’s easy to make edible cannabis products eye catching and appealing. For newcomers trying cannabis for the first time after legalization, edibles may provide a less intimidating entry point than smoking or vaping. And medical users often appreciate the stronger and longer-lasting effect of orally ingested cannabis.

An October 2018 report by ArcView Market Research and BDS Analytics projects the North American cannabis edibles market to hit more than $4.1 billion by 2022. According to the report, food and drink products accounted for approximately 11.4 percent of total cannabis spending in Canada and the United States in 2017. As the cannabis market matures and develops, and as edible products return to dispensary shelves in Canada, classic dried cannabis flower is expected to steadily lose market share to edibles and extracts.

Regulatory challenges and solutions

Right now in Canada, though, the more immediate future of the cannabis edibles market is less certain. Edibles were not included in the first wave of cannabis legalization that took place in October 2018, with Health Canada opting to conduct further study and consultation before rolling out regulatory rules by October 2019. This put a wrench in the gears for the hundreds of cannabis companies that had made edibles a key part of their initial business strategy. In early 2019, Health Canada began a two-month public consultation period as part of the process of determining the edibles regulatory scheme. By all accounts, the restrictions are likely to be heavy. Chief among the rules will be restrictions on potency and mandates on accurate potency labeling.

The concerns over potency and accurate labeling aren’t entirely unwarranted. Cannabis edibles have always been tricky in the way they hit the user. Cannabis ingested through the digestive system can take an hour or more to for the user to notice the effect, and inexperienced users have commonly been known to make the rookie mistake of taking more under the belief that they haven’t taken a high enough dosage. Due to the intense nature of edible products, the appeal of edibles to inexperienced cannabis users in particular can be a recipe for disaster. Excessive dosage of cannabis is not highly dangerous in that it will not cause poisoning or other health emergencies, but cannabis-related panic attacks can still present a risk.

This is why cannabis companies that plan on making edibles a significant part of their business model have dedicated considerable resources to developing precision dosing technology. The challenge stems from the fact that the rate in which cannabis breaks down as it enters the bloodstream varies significantly based on a number of factors, including the specific physiology of the consumer.

Recent years have seen the development of tools for manipulating cannabis at the molecular level for greater bioavailability, allowing edibles manufacturers to provide a more predictable product for easier regulatory compliance and greater consumer trust.

Regulators have been placing a range of other regulatory hurdles in the way of the edibles market. Health Canada is expected to enforce tight restrictions on edibles packaging, limiting the use of colorful graphics and other eye-catching elements largely with the intent of limiting the products’ appeal to children. Packaging will also need to be child resistant. Regulators in various jurisdictions have often restricted potency, with Health Canada expected to limit products to 10 milligrams of THC per dose. Similarly, California has focused its regulations around keeping cannabis edibles out of the hands of children with a universal cannabis product symbol, a government warning, child-proof packaging and clear labeling for potency and recommended dosage.

Takeaway

Not every cannabis consumer is particularly interested in smoking or vaping, but everyone is interested in tasty treats. Meeting regulatory hurdles for dosing and keeping products out of the hands of children has been a challenge, but these challenges hardly reduce the potential of what promises to be, and in many jurisdictions already is, one of the primary market segments of the cannabis industry.

Source: https://investingnews.com/innspired/global-cannabis-edibles-market/

INTERVIEW: NORTHBUD $NBUD.ca Discusses Binding LOI For Acquisition of Multi-State Licensed Operator Eureka Vapor $WEED.ca $CGC $ACB $APH $CRON.ca $HEXO.ca $TRST.ca $OGI.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 1:37 PM on Tuesday, March 12th, 2019

NORTHBUD (NBUD:CSE) is already a late stage applicant at the “Confirmation of Readiness” stage for 25,000 square feet of indoor and 500,000 square feet of outdoor growing space, for the sole purpose of growing GMP pharma-grade cultivation and food-grade extracted inputs.

But Ryan Brown didn’t get this far in the cannabis space by sitting still … and he has made one hell of a great deal with the $20 MILLION acquisition of Eureka Vapor, a multi-state licensed operator in the USA.  The acquisition is subject to typical closing and due diligence but Ryan has a close relationship with the CEO and is confident it will close.

If and when it does close, Eureka will bring about $11.5 million in revenue at a 16% profit margin, which will be immediately accretive to the bottom line of NORTHBUD.  Accretive is actually an understatement.

I also love this acquisition because of its’ terms, which shows the confidence that both sides have in each other.  For example, the Eureka team can earn an extra $25 million if they hit certain milestones.  That says a lot about how Eureka may grown once it is a part of NORTHBUD.

On the flipside, the Eureka group only gets 10% of their shares on closing, with the rest dripped out over the next 24 months. That says a lot about the confidence Eureka has in NORTHBUD.

Find out more about NORTHBUD and this great deal in this interview with Ryan, who has already made a name for himself and is now on his way to growing that success, pun intended.

North Bud Farms Inc. $NBUD.ca – From cannabis edibles to plant proteins: 2019 food trends $ACB $WEED.ca $HIP.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 2:39 PM on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019

SPONSOR: North Bud Farms Inc. (NBUD:CSE) Sustainable low cost, high quality cannabinoid production and procurement focusing on both bio-pharmaceutical development and Cannabinoid Infused Products. Click Here For More Information

NBUD: CSE

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From cannabis edibles to plant proteins: 2019 food trends

  • Cannabis will soon be a major driver in the food and beverage category.
  • This year should see edible products incorporated into Bill C-45 (the Cannabis Act), opening up opportunities for health foods and supplements, snack foods, packaged meals, restaurants and tourism.

(MENAFN – The Conversation) Food continues to find its way into the consciousness of Canadians.

It’s in our news feed, on our television screens and, more and more, part of our day-to-day conversations. The challenge is to separate the fact from the fiction, the ephemeral from the soon-to-be everyday. The University of Guelph’s newest Food Focus Trends Report highlights six key trends likely to be front and centre this year.

Flexitarians on the rise

While vegans and vegetarians get all the attention, the flexitarians are rapidly growing in number — and in clout. A flexitarian is someone who is eating less meat rather than giving it up entirely.

Almost 85 per cent of Canadians claim to eat at least one vegetarian meal per month, with nearly 50 per cent saying they do so at least once a week. Despite only seven to eight per cent of Canadians identifying as vegetarian or vegan, the conscious consumption of flexitarians will likely have a profound impact on the quantity and types of meat we eat as well as spurring the growth of protein alternatives.

By choosing to eat less meat, consumers are likely to indulge in more premium cuts while sacrificing staples like ground beef.

Plant-based proteins are also sure to grow in popularity, as are those from previously taboo sources, such as insects. Canada’s new Food Guide also recommends an increased focus on plant-based foods.

Read more: In defence of Canada’s Food Guide

Should Canada’s meat industry be concerned? Possibly, but increased international demand should keep overall prices in our country steady for the foreseeable future and population growth here will also continue to increase the total demand for meat.

Easing fears about gene-editing

If comic books and horror movies have taught the average Canadian anything, it’s that nothing good ever comes from playing with genes.

Unfortunately, fiction can sometimes be more believable than facts. When it comes to agriculture, gene editing increases yields, develops tolerances to things like drought or pests, removes allergens (to make gluten-free wheat, for example) and enhances nutritional quality.

The Canadian government approved the sale of genetically modified golden rice that’s fortified with Vitamin A. It’s an example of a GM food that directly benefits consumers. Josep Folta/Flickr

And the biggest benefit may be for the world’s poor. Basically, gene editing is doing what animal and plant breeders have been doing for hundreds and hundreds of years, only in a way that’s much faster, much cheaper and much more specific.

The only challenge? Reducing unfounded fears and communicating the incredible potential of genetically modified crops and foods in a way that Canadians can fully embrace.

Protecting our pollinators

In recent years, the humble bee has gone from picnic pest to cause célèbre. The decline of bee populations and its potential impact on food resources has Canadians rallying in support. And with good reason — a third of the world’s crops rely on pollinators .

A third of the world’s crops need pollinators like bees. But some of them also require pesticides that are harmful to bees. Jenna Lee/Unsplash

In Canada, the contribution of bees to crops like apples, blueberries and canola has been estimated at over $5 billion.

So shouldn’t we all be behind the bee? It’s not that simple.

While they are essential for some crops, other crops rely on methods of pest control that are associated with the decline of pollinators.

As we’ve seen with the neonicotinoids debate, striking a delicate balance between the needs of farmers and the protection of pollinators is an ongoing challenge and a goal that will not be easily achieved.

Read more: Why it’s time to curb widespread use of neonicotinoid pesticides

Canada is high on cannabis edibles

Cannabis will soon be a major driver in the food and beverage category. This year should see edible products incorporated into Bill C-45 (the Cannabis Act), opening up opportunities for health foods and supplements, snack foods, packaged meals, restaurants and tourism.

A recent Deloitte report found that 58 per cent of current Canadian cannabis users intend to consume edibles once they’re legalized.

Most Canadian cannabis users say they intend to consume edibles once they’re legal. Shutterstock

But these highs do have some potential lows — work will need to be done to ensure proper dosing and to prevent unintended secondary consumption by children and pets.

As well, the path to market for cannabis products in Canada goes through three different pieces of legislation: the Cannabis Act, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Food and Drugs Act.

Read more: How to keep your pets safe from marijuana poisoning

In addition, products for medical consumers must also meet the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations that are included in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. But with the total market estimated at more than $7 billion (on par with Canada’s wine industry), the future is nonetheless bright for cannabis companies.

Prospering in a time of protectionism

The whirlwind of trade deals and disputes in the past few years has left many Canadians reeling. While there has been much hand-wringing over inter-provincial barriers, NAFTA/USMCA and new agreements with Europe and the Pacific Rim, freer trade in food has actually provided Canadian farmers with markets that are hungry for our products.

Plus, Canadian consumers have benefited and now enjoy a wider range of affordable food products.

The one downside? Our regulated dairy industry, along with other supply managed commodities, has ceded nearly 10 per cent of its market through recent trade deals.

Read more: In defence of Canada’s dairy farmers

This will not only be painful for the dairy sector, but it isn’t likely to result in lower prices for Canadians — although we will probably see a broader array of cheeses and other dairy products. Overall, though, trade has been good for Canada and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

Growing divide between food & farms

Farms may feed people, but they have very little to do with the price you pay for food.

A farmer is seen on his Nova Scotia farm in 2014 with some of his laying hens. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

Fluctuating prices of agricultural commodities like corn, wheat or soybeans often fuel news stories but the reality is the increases in food prices Canadians have seen over the years have been relatively consistent.

Put simply, food and farm prices are not the same and the relationship between the two continues to weaken. Today, the farmers’ share of the food dollar is around 20 per cent — higher for less processed foods (nearly 50 per cent for eggs) and lower for more processed foods (two per cent for corn, which is used as a sweetener in manufactured food products).

While the effect of low commodity prices may be felt in farming regions and associated industries, it has little impact on Canadians when they’re checking off their grocery lists — and that isn’t expected to change in 2019.

Source: https://menafn.com/1098111116/From-cannabis-edibles-to-plant-proteins-2019-food-trends

North Bud Farms Inc. $NBUD.ca – New Cannabis Products Which Could Disrupt the Industry in 2019 $ACB $WEED.ca $HIP.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 2:55 PM on Monday, February 4th, 2019

SPONSOR: North Bud Farms Inc. (NBUD:CSE) Sustainable low cost, high quality cannabinoid production and procurement focusing on both bio-pharmaceutical development and Cannabinoid Infused Products. Click Here For More Information

NBUD: CSE

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New Cannabis Products Which Could Disrupt the Industry in 2019

  • If there is one large-scale category of cannabis product which is likely to emerge in 2019, it is edibles.
  • When Canada moved to legalize recreational marijuana usage among adults, it did not include regulations for edibles and other products which might be confused for non-cannabis alternatives

By Nathan Reiff Updated Feb 2, 2019

The cannabis industry enjoyed tremendous investor enthusiasm in 2018, fueled in large part by major developments which seemed to open up the space for new opportunities. Canadian legalization of recreational marijuana use, the continued adoption of legal medical or recreational cannabis in more states across the U.S., and high-profile achievements from some of the industry’s emerging top contenders all fueled interest. In spite of the fact that cannabis stocks overall failed to perform up to expectations last year, 2019 has already revealed continued anticipation regarding this growing industry.

If cannabis stocks are to thrive going forward, it’s likely that many companies will have some growing up to do. Overextended balance sheets will need to be strengthened, highly speculative mergers and acquisitions must be kept in check, and quarterly figures will have to confirm that there is good reason for the hype surrounding these companies.

One way that up-and-coming marijuana businesses can bolster their fortunes in 2019 is through the release of new cannabis-based products. While it’s true that there has already been a flood of new marijuana products to the market, it’s likely that only a few will emerge as winners capable of driving sales and firming up particular companies’ dominant status in this fledgling market. Below, we’ll take a look at some new cannabis products which may be able to change the game in this way.

Edibles

If there is one large-scale category of cannabis product which is likely to emerge in 2019, it is edibles. When Canada moved to legalize recreational marijuana usage among adults, it did not include regulations for edibles and other products which might be confused for non-cannabis alternatives. The Canadian government allowed itself a one-year window from the initial legalization date of October 17, 2018 to sort out regulations for edibles products. In the meantime, Canadian marijuana companies have gotten a head start on developing new cannabis edibles for retail sale, even as retailers are giving away product that they are not yet allowed to sell. A recent survey indicated that about a quarter of Canadian cannabis customers had received a free edible in the last month.

When Canadian edibles become legal for retail sale on or before October 17, 2019, expect a rush to get these products into retail shops. Edibles alone could become a billion-dollar industry in the years to come.

Cannabis Beverages

One of the biggest cannabis headlines of 2018 reported on news that Constellation Brands (STZ), the beverage company behind Corona and Modelo brand beers, had partnered with Canopy Growth Corp. (CGC), the largest cannabis producer in Canada. The alignment of a major cannabis company with a top producer of alcoholic beverages has many analysts and investors speculating that there could be joint product launches in the near future. Indeed, other pairs of companies have also matched up in recent months as well: Molson Coors announced a partnership with Canadian producer HEXO also.

It’s unlikely that any existing products from companies like Constellation and Molson will change because of these partnerships. However, expect a THC-infused beverage market to crop up as a subcategory of the larger edibles space. These products could include THC- or cannabidiol (CBD)-infused juices, waters and seltzers or coffees. CBD products may be marketed as “health” drinks aimed at reducing anxiety and inflammation without generating a “high” feeling in the same way that THC does.

Cannabidiol Products

Before 2018 was finished, CBD had already begun to make its way into all manner of products for sale. Although cannabis includes dozens of chemical components, CBD has emerged early on as a popular one for extraction and subsequent inclusion in drinks, vaping products, bath bombs and more. CBD has been marketed as a product with wide-ranging health benefits which can help to cure everything from pain to insomnia. While it’s difficult to say exactly how accurate this claim is, it has nonetheless been sufficient to generate widespread interest in CBD, even among consumers not interested in the traditional “high” associated with cannabis. Expect a continued proliferation of CBD-based products in the months to come. Beauty and skin care products are among the most popular of these new offerings.

Cannabidiol has also made its way into drug treatments developed in the medical marijuana space. Indeed, the first FDA-approved cannabis-based drug makes use of a pharmaceutical CBD oil. Companies like GW Pharmaceuticals (GWPH) and Cara Therapeutics (CARA) are rushing to develop and test new CBD-based drug treatments. While this process takes a much longer time than the development of retail CBD-based products, it has the potential for tremendous industry-wide staying power, not to mention the benefit of providing more evidence of the efficacy of medical marijuana on a broader level.

Source: https://www.investopedia.com/new-cannabis-products-which-could-disrupt-the-industry-in-2019-4586411

Bougainville Ventures Inc $BOG.ca – Canada’s chronic shortage of legal cannabis expected to drag out for years $CROP.ca $VP.ca NF.ca $MCOA

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 12:19 PM on Tuesday, January 29th, 2019
SPONSOR:  Bougainville Ventures Inc (CSE: BOG) Converting irrigated farmland to greenhouse-equipped farmland. Bougainville does not “touch the plant” and only provides agricultural infrastructure as a landlord for licensed marijuana growers. Click here for more info.
BOG:CSE
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Canada’s chronic shortage of legal cannabis expected to drag out for years

One industry insider expects shortage to continue until 2022, as more legal cannabis diverted to edibles

Canada’s licensed producers are growing more cannabis than ever. But they still aren’t making enough to balance supply and demand. (Derek Hooper/CBC)

Canada’s persistent shortage of legal cannabis could drag on for years. The impending legalization of edible pot will only divert more product away from empty store shelves across the country. One industry insider said he now expects that shortage to endure until 2022.

“If it was just the current product set, I’d say a year to 18 months,” said Chuck Rifici, CEO of the Toronto-based cannabis company Auxly.

“But because we have edibles and a bunch of new product types coming in October, I think it’ll be the better part of three years before we have true equilibrium and oversupply in the space.”

Licensed producers have been adding capacity in droves. Millions of square feet of new greenhouse space has been built since last summer. But for every new gram produced, new demand is piling up as well.

“The medical cannabis market still grows by about five per cent a month,” said Rifici. “We have about 300,000 Canadians accessing medically, so that’s a drain on the system, as well as international exports that are starting to amplify.”

Edibles industry ramps up

Meanwhile, the edible cannabis side of the industry is only starting to ramp up. The makers of Corona beer and Kim Crawford wines teamed up with Canopy Growth and expect to roll out cannabis-infused beer and wine. Budweiser partnered with Tilray, and Molson-Coors created their own joint venture with Quebec-based Hexo.

Cannabis-infused food and drink promises to open a whole new segment of the market. A recent report by Deloitte found 49 per cent of probable cannabis users in Canada are willing to try edibles. But that growth comes with a whole new batch of regulations and expectations.

It may take as many as three years before licensed producers are growing enough to supply the recreational, medicinal and edible markets. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)

Health Canada will require strict rules around shelf life and refrigeration. There will be specific rules around doses per serving. And that’s where Kevin Letun and Pacific Rim Brands hope to step in. His company has partnered with labs at the University of British Columbia in Kelowna and the British Columbia Institute of Technology to dig into the science behind all that.

“Because this is a brand new consumer product and it’s utilizing a schedule-1 drug that’s been illegal for the last 80 years, consumers are going to want to trust the brand that they’re going to be trying in the future,” said Letun.

Right now, Pacific Rim Brands is working on getting the specific formulations for these products. Once that’s completed, the company expects to start human testing to gather data. Essentially, the company is aiming to have formulations ready and approved this summer.

“Then, our goal is to look to either license these to existing beverage companies, potentially licensed producers or even develop our own brands,” said Letun.

When the legal recreational market opened on Oct. 17, 2018, stores like this one in NWT quickly sold out of product. (Hilary Bird/CBC)

Letun said edibles will prove to be a much larger segment of the industry than the current smokeable pot.

“In the next ten years, you’re going to see the smokeable cannabis (comprising) maybe only 10 to 20 per cent of the market,” he said.

He expects edibles and infused drinks will take off once legalized. And he said that will go well beyond cannabis-infused beer and wine.

“There are so many other applications on the medicinal side too, when it comes to sleep aids or sports recovery when it comes to inflammation, pain, sports recovery.”

Public consultations into the legalization of edible cannabis are open now and are expected to conclude at the end of February. As rules become more clear, the summer will see another surge in demand as companies look to get products ready for a market expected to open up on October 17.

It has only been three months since cannabis was legalized in Canada. There’s something to be said for the fact that the highest profile issue to stem from such an enormous change in drug policy is a lack of supply.

That issue is moving toward resolution, perhaps more slowly than expected.

Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canada-cannabis-shortage-years-1.4988195

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