Cannabis Industry Veteran Dion Markgraaff to Take Helm of HempMeds® Mexico and Distribution of RSHO-X™, First-Ever Federally Approved Cannabidiol Product in Mexico
San Diego, CA – July 25, 2016 – Medical Marijuana, Inc.’s (OTC: MJNA) management team today announced that it has named Dion Markgraaff as President of its subsidiary HempMeds® Mexico, effective August 3, 2016.
With more than 25 years of experience in the cannabis industry, Mr. Markgraaff will help drive the sales, marketing and distribution of HempMeds® Mexico‘s non-psychoactive, THC-free hemp-based cannabidiol (CBD) product Real Scientific Hemp Oil-X™ (RSHO-X™) throughout Mexico. RSHO-X™ was the first-ever federally approved CBD product in Mexico, a country of 120 million residents that represents a significant potential market worth up to $12 billion annually.
”We are thrilled that Mr. Markgraaff will be heading up our HempMeds® Mexico subsidiary,” said CEO of Medical Marijuana, Inc. Dr. Stuart Titus. “Mr. Markgraaff’s extensive experience in working to revitalize the cannabis industry will be a tremendous asset as we continue working directly with the Mexican government to safely and legally provide access to CBD hemp oil products to the people of Mexico. In addition, Mr. Markgraaff will help us pursue our work to open up even greater access to our CBD-based products throughout the country, including developing additional ways to educate patients and health professionals on the plethora of medical marijuana’s benefits. If full legalization of all cannabis products becomes a reality in Mexico, Mr. Markgraaff will help us be in the right position to bring out products quickly to market.”
Prior to being named President of HempMeds® Mexico, Markgraaff served as a business development consultant for General Hemp™ LLC, a private equity company founded to support growth in the industrial hemp industry. During this time, Markgraaff was instrumental in opening the Mexico cannabis market and introducing RSHO-X™ into the Country. He also helped HempMeds® Mexico solidify a partnership with Mexico’s champion for cannabis reform Raul Elizalde and his Por Grace Foundation, the leading association fighting to ensure families receive the right to health care and medical access to CBD hemp oil in Mexico. Elizalde’s family was the first in Mexico to sue the federal government and win the right to import CBD hemp oil to treat their daughter Grace’s severe form of epilepsy known as Lennox-Gastaux Syndrome. Through the combined efforts of HempMeds® Mexico and the Por Grace Foundation, including sponsoring and participating in multiple public forums like the National Debates on Marijuana Use, major changes have occurred in Mexico’s marijuana policy. On April 21, 2016, Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto announced at a conference, at which Elizalde also spoke, his intent to move the country away from marijuana prohibition and towards science-based policies and human rights, including medicinal use.
During his career, Mr. Markgraaff has achieved many “firsts” for the cannabis industry, as founder of Europe’s first hemp store “Cannabis in Amsterdam” in 1993; organizer of the first medical cannabis dispensary in San Diego in 1997; and founder of one of the largest cannabis patient rights groups San Diego Americans for Safe Access in 2002. Mr. Markgraaff also spent ten years of his career at Dr. Bronner’s, the largest manufacturer of certified organic and fair trade soaps. Mr. Markgraaff graduated with a dual Bachelor of Arts and Science degree in Political Science and History from San Diego State University.
On Aug. 14 at 10:15 a.m. Markgraaff will introduce HempMeds® Mexico at the ExpoWeed Conference – the first-ever cannabis conference to be held in Mexico – which is taking place on Aug. 12-14 at the International Exhibitions and Conference World Trade Center in Mexico City. Markgraff will be joined by Elizalde and two of the first Mexico families to receive approval from the Mexican government to import RSHO-X™. Markgraaff will also partake in the press conference prior to the Expo on Aug. 10 at 10:00 a.m. at the World Trade Center. HempMeds® Mexico is a sponsor of the ExpoWeed Conference and will be exhibiting retail-ready cannabis products, including its zero-THC RSHO-X™, the first-ever cannabis product to receive approval from the federal government of Mexico for importation.
RSHO-X™ is also the first cannabis-based product to qualify as safe for World Anti-Doping standards and therefore could be safely used by Olympic athletes.
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About HempMeds® Mexico
HempMeds® Mexico is a Mexico-based company that made history by being the first company to receive a COFEPRIS federal government import permit for the cannabis product RSHO-X™ for a medical indication. HempMeds® Mexico plans to work directly with the Mexican government to safely and legally provide access to CBD hemp oil products. For more information, please review the company’s website at: http://www.hempmeds.mx.
About HempMeds®
HempMeds® offers mainstream marketing, sales, customer service, and logistics for the cannabis industry. HempMeds® is a corporate portfolio company of Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC Pink: MJNA) and the Company’s exclusive master distributor and contracted marketing company. In addition to handling sales and distribution, HempMeds® is the communication hub for the Medical Marijuana Inc. portfolio of companies.
About Real Scientific Hemp Oil™
Real Scientific Hemp Oil™ is a global headline-maker: The first cannabis product to receive federal government import permits from both the governments of Brazil and Mexico – now imported into Brazil for multiple medical indications and subsidized under the country’s healthcare system. Formulated using Medical Marijuana, Inc.’s state of the art and eco-friendly proprietary technologies, RSHO™ is the finest, most consistent and 100 percent natural CBD hemp-based cannabinoid oil in the world.
About Medical Marijuana, Inc.
Our mission is to be the premier cannabis and hemp industry innovators, leveraging our team of professionals to source, evaluate and purchase value-added companies and products, while allowing them to keep their integrity and entrepreneurial spirit. We strive to create awareness within our industry, develop environmentally-friendly, economically sustainable businesses, while increasing shareholder value. For details on Medical Marijuana, Inc.’s portfolio and investment companies, visit www.medicalmarijuanainc.com.
To see Medical Marijuana, Inc.’s video statement, click here. Shareholders are also encouraged to visit the Medical Marijuana, Inc. Shop for discounted products.
FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Medical Marijuana, Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein.
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) DISCLOSURE
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
LEGAL DISCLOSURE
Medical Marijuana Inc. does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act (US.CSA). These companies do grow, sell, and distribute hemp-based products and are involved with the federally legal distribution of medical marijuana-based products within certain international markets. Cannabidiol is a natural constituent of hemp oil.
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