{"id":2837,"date":"2017-01-31T17:56:58","date_gmt":"2017-01-31T17:56:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.medicalmarijuanainc.com\/?p=20249"},"modified":"2017-01-31T17:56:58","modified_gmt":"2017-01-31T17:56:58","slug":"hempmeds-mexico-celebrates-one-year-anniversary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medicalmarijuanainc.com\/2017\/01\/31\/hempmeds-mexico-celebrates-one-year-anniversary\/","title":{"rendered":"HempMeds Mexico Celebrates Anniversary After Historic First Year"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Medical Marijuana, Inc. subsidiary HempMeds\u00ae Mexico has had a historic first year \u2013 creating the first commercially available CBD hemp oil product with no detectable THC, increasing access to CBD products for patients in Mexico and across Latin America, and participating in important events in shaping the discussion of cannabis reform in the country. <\/span><\/p>\n As the company celebrates its one year anniversary, we look back on the achievements of the first 12 months and glance ahead to what the changing landscape in Mexico will mean for the company in the upcoming year. <\/span><\/p>\n HempMeds\u00ae Mexico\u2019s year began as the company launched on January 31, 2016 and became the first ever to ship cannabis-based products into Mexico, making national headlines in Mexico and the U.S. <\/span><\/p>\n Medical Marijuana, Inc. created HempMeds\u00ae Mexico after the company\u2019s flagship CBD product RSHO-X\u2122 became the <\/span>first and only cannabis product<\/span><\/a> allowed for import into the country by COFEPRIS. The health department of Mexico, COFEPRIS issued the country\u2019s first-ever government permits in February to <\/span>import RSHO-X\u2122 to Maria Paula, 5, and Alina Maldonado Montes de Oca, 11<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Alina\u2019s father Abelardo made a 16 hour round-trip trek by bus to pick up his daughter\u2019s import authorization. Footage of his journey became part of the <\/span>documentary<\/span><\/a> Crisis<\/span><\/i>, which highlighted the struggle of families in Mexico fighting for access to CBD. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”5458,5502,6797″ size=”400×300″ column=”ig_col_3″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Another family close to HempMeds\u00ae Mexico is that of Grace Elizalde of the <\/span>Por Grace Foundation<\/span><\/a>. Grace was the first patient in Mexico to legally use CBD oil, unknowingly kickstarting the movement for CBD in Mexico.<\/span><\/p>\n Grace\u2019s father, Raul Elizalde, started the Por Grace Foundation to further access to CBD for Grace and others like his daughter. The premier cannabidiol advocacy group in Mexico, the Por Grace Foundation <\/span>works closely<\/span><\/a> with HempMeds\u00ae Mexico to help interested patients get RSHO-X\u2122.<\/span><\/p>\n In discussing the Por Grace Foundation, HempMeds\u00ae Mexico President Dion Markgraaff said, \u201cWe are going to continue our successful support of this foundation because the group has proven incredibly effective in educating the Mexican people about the power of cannabis and, in particular, CBD hemp oil. Raul and the Por Grace Foundation are at the tip of the cannabis movement in Mexico, piercing at people\u2019s previously misguided prejudices about the plant.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”5459,6795,6798,6796,17969,17962″ size=”200×200″ column=”ig_col_6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n To help punctuate the importance of the role Por Grace has played in Mexico\u2019s transition in cannabis policy, Raul was invited to join President Pe\u00f1a Nieto on stage in April to give an impassioned speech about the effects of cannabinoids on his daughter before the <\/span>Mexican President announced<\/span><\/a> that the country would be pursuing a more compassionate stance on the medical use of marijuana in the country. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”6786,6787,6784,6783″ size=”300×300″ column=”ig_col_4″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n HempMeds\u00ae Mexico made several key hires this year in their efforts to expand further into Mexico. The company appointed Dion Markgraaff, a 25 year veteran in the cannabis industry, as President of the company. HempMeds\u00ae Mexico has also hired Carlos Gonzalez to join their team as Head of Operations. <\/span><\/p>\n Gonzalez is an experienced lawyer and customs law expert in Mexico, giving him a unique knowledge of the administrative hurdles the company and its customers need to navigate. Gonzalez is responsible for overall daily operations for HempMeds\u00ae Mexico.<\/span><\/p>\n Before being named President of HempMeds\u00ae Mexico, Markgraaff served as a business development consultant for General Hemp\u2122 LLC, a private equity company founded to support growth in the commercial hemp industry. During this time, Markgraaff was instrumental in opening Mexico\u2019s cannabis market and introducing CBD into the country. He also helped HempMeds\u00ae Mexico solidify a partnership with Mexico\u2019s 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. As president of HempMeds\u00ae Mexico, Dion Markgraaff will be responsible for heading the company\u2019s push to reach out to Mexico\u2019s health officials, lawmakers, doctors, and patients.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI plan to assist Mexico through the current cannabis revolution that is happening there right now,\u201d said Markgraaff, regarding his new role with HempMeds\u00ae Mexico. \u201cThis plant is going to go back to its primary position in society of being revered and worshipped, from it\u2019s current status of being feared and fueling war.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Recognizing Markgraaff\u2019s potential, the CEO of Medical Marijuana, Inc. Dr. Stuart Titus responded, \u201dWe are thrilled that Dion Markgraaff will be heading up our HempMeds\u00ae Mexico subsidiary. Mr. Markgraaff\u2019s 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\u2019s benefits.\u201d<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”17965,17951,17958″ size=”400×300″ column=”ig_col_3″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n This year, HempMeds\u00ae Mexico also hosted their first National Symposium on the benefits of CBD titled <\/span>Cannabidiol, Medical and Therapeutic Uses<\/span><\/i><\/a>. Renowned Mexican physician <\/span>Dr. Saul Garza Morales spoke at the event <\/span><\/a>on the benefits of CBD, sharing compelling data from his recent, independent study of CBD\u2019s effects on epileptic children. <\/span>Cannabidiol, Medical and Therapeutic Uses<\/span><\/i> presented a unique educational opportunity for the doctors of Mexico to learn about cannabidiol and how to prescribe RSHO-X\u2122 to their patients. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOne of our objectives [for this event] is to share with health professionals the results of international clinical studies that focus on the neuroprotective properties of cannabinoids, as well as several clinical applications,\u201d said Dion Markgraaff, President of HempMeds\u00ae Mexico.<\/span><\/p>\n HempMeds\u00ae Mexico\u2019s RSHO-X\u2122 was at the center of a recent study on the effects of CBD and epilepsy. Renowned Mexican physician Dr. Carlos G. Aguirre Velazquez <\/span>announced the results<\/span><\/a> of a new survey conducted on children with refractory epilepsy. Participation in the study was voluntary, and study criteria required a diagnosis of refractory epilepsy such as Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Dravet, Doose, or other similar conditions, and the current use of medicinal cannabis (usually a pure CBD extract).<\/span><\/p>\n The survey, submitted to parents of the Por Grace Foundation, found that out of 53 cases of children who were treated with cannabidiol (CBD) hemp oil, 60 percent showed a reduction in seizures.<\/span><\/p>\n The study<\/span><\/a>, conducted by Dr. Velazquez, Professor of Pediatric Neurology at the Monterrey Institute of Technology\u2019s School of Medicine, also reported that in seizure crises treated with CBD hemp oil, 16 percent were completely controlled and 51 percent improved in either a \u201cmoderately to an important way\u201d. Results from the study were presented to other doctors across Mexico as part of an ongoing effort inside the country to inform health professionals on the therapeutic uses of cannabis.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”17957,17955,17954,17952″ size=”300×200″ column=”ig_col_4″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n HempMeds\u00ae Mexico was the main exhibitor at the Senate of Mexico\u2019s historic exhibition \u201c<\/span>Hemp for All<\/span><\/a>,\u201d held in October on the second floor terrace of the Senate building. The exhibition was held in an open space where medical cannabis advocates were be able to share information on the many therapeutic benefits of medical marijuana to both Mexican lawmakers and the media.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe are excited about the opportunity that the Mexican Senate is taking to learn more about cannabis and are optimistic that lawmakers in Mexico will continue working together to put together a complete marijuana reform bill that will benefit their citizens and continue their country\u2019s compassionate position on health,\u201d said Dr. Titus, CEO of Medical Marijuana, Inc. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n HempMeds\u00ae Mexico also worked to open several new Latin American markets this past year, expanding efforts into <\/span>Argentina, Chile<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Colombia<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Paraguay<\/span><\/a>. As the tide of opinion regarding medical marijuana continues to change in Latin America, HempMeds\u00ae Mexico and Medical Marijuana, Inc. will work alongside activists and patients in efforts to bring access to those who need it most.<\/span><\/p>\n The company announced this winter that RSHO-X\u2122 <\/span>received approval<\/span><\/a> from the Mexican health authority, COFEPRIS, similar to the FDA in the U.S., for import by a patient suffering from cancer. The patient was prescribed RSHO-X\u2122 for the treatment of pain associated with cancer treatment, as well as for improved general well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n The first patient with cancer to receive permission from COFEPRIS is a 44-year-old woman suffering from Stage 5 breast cancer. COFEPRIS has given the patient authorization to import and use THC-free RSHO-X\u2122 to treat the pain she experiences due to her chemotherapy treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n Traditional treatments \u2013 like chemotherapy \u2013 cause a number of harsh side effects, including headaches, muscle pain, and stomach pain, as well as pain from nerve damage most often found in the fingers and toes. COFEPRIS has approved the use of RSHO-X\u2122 hemp oil to address these side effects of chemotherapy and improve the patient\u2019s quality of life during treatment.<\/span><\/p>\nFirst CBD Products Ever Shipped to Patients in Mexico<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Partnership with Por Grace<\/strong> <\/span><\/h3>\n
Raul Elizalde Shares Stage with Mexican President<\/strong><\/h3>\n
New Leadership<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Educational Symposium in Mexico City<\/strong><\/h3>\n
CBD Study on Epileptic Children<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cHemp for All\u201d Mexico Senate Event<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Further Expansion into Latin America<\/strong><\/h3>\n
RSHO-X\u2122 Approved for Side Effects of Cancer Treatment<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Cannabis reform and new directions<\/strong><\/h3>\n