{"id":3365,"date":"2015-05-14T21:55:09","date_gmt":"2015-05-14T21:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.medicalmarijuanainc.com\/?p=2794"},"modified":"2015-05-14T21:55:09","modified_gmt":"2015-05-14T21:55:09","slug":"letter-to-shareholders-by-ceo-stuart-titus-2014-annual-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medicalmarijuanainc.com\/2015\/05\/14\/letter-to-shareholders-by-ceo-stuart-titus-2014-annual-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Letter to Shareholders by CEO Stuart Titus"},"content":{"rendered":"
Re: Medical Marijuana Inc. 2014 Annual Report Dear Shareholder:<\/p>\n As the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA) I wanted to discuss with you, our shareholders, the 2014 Annual Report on the operations and condition of Medical Marijuana, Inc. as well as our future and the future of the cannabis industry. When reviewing the Annual Report, it becomes apparent why the Company has made changes and additions to the Management Team, including myself as President and CEO. We are currently seeking additional manpower in charge of operations and are putting new initiatives in place intended to improve financial and operating performance going forward.<\/p>\n I apologize to our shareholders for the tardiness of the annual report. Having taken the helm as CEO in mid-March, well after the close of fiscal year 2014, along with the addition of three new members to our Board of Directors, I felt it was important to do a fresh, careful review of our Q4 2014, year-end 2014 and Q1 2015 reports before releasing our Annual Report. I\u2019m committed to taking appropriate steps to improve all aspects of our reporting with a goal of greater transparency, clarity and timeliness. As part of that commitment, although not required, we will strive to act as a fully reporting company as we move into the future. I am enthused by the changes and progress that we have made to date in 2015 and especially enthused about our long-term future. I believe that we have the most diverse investments and highest quality products in the industry. We remain the unquestioned leader and innovator in the sector and the Company\u2019s untapped potential, through its operations and investments, is enormous. I would like to thank our shareholders for their continued support as we strive to solidify our market position and the position of the industry as a whole. You should be proud to know that your investment impacts the lives of people around the world through its innovative products and initiatives.<\/p>\n Strong Industry History, Commitment to our Shareholders and Clients<\/strong> We developed the world\u2019s first patent-pending cannabinoid-rich hemp oil vaporizer product called HempVAP \u00ae, which has had significant success in the market. The Company has formulated and developed over 150 products, most of which were or will be first to the industry and market. The true value of most of these products has yet to be realized.<\/p>\n Our direct investments have led to the patent of the first cannabinoid-based chewing gum, CanChew\u00ae, has been initially developed as a food – and is now a pharmaceutical formulation is undergoing clinical drug development in Europe.. We have developed the world\u2019s first complete cannabinoid oral care line. We developed the first hemp-based anti-aging cannabinoid skin care line including products for troubled skin.<\/p>\n Portfolio investment Company KannaLife Sciences Inc. was the first biotech company to receive licenses from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop the U.S. government\u2019s patent on the therapeutic usage of cannabinoids (US Patent # 6,630,507). To date, they have garnered one exclusive license and one non-exclusive license from the NIH.<\/p>\n We were the first public company to provide management services to the cannabis industry through our Wellness Managed Services subsidiary. Our MPSI division was one of the first dedicated security and risk mitigation provider companies exclusively for the cannabis industry.<\/p>\n Regarding patents and trademarks, we were one of the first companies to receive a U.S. trademark for a cannabis-based product and have developed many such marks over the years.<\/p>\n These \u201cfirsts\u201d were no easy accomplishment – building an industry never is. There have been hundreds of articles published worldwide that boosted our industry as a whole \u2013 as they knocked down generations of stigma and created a new awareness throughout the globe. Our efforts were instrumental in changing the legal landscape for cannabis and industrial hemp in the United States, a necessary accomplishment in order to have an accessible American CBD, hemp and cannabis market in the first instance. There have been hundreds of news articles around the world about the company and its products \u2013 and how they have impacted people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n We assisted with the drafting of legislation in many states and foreign countries (more will be discussed about this in the coming months). Our Company developed every aspect of production; from seed to eventual product sale. The team has been dedicated and driven to reach these accomplishments so that we can build shareholder value – by providing life-changing products for people around the world \u2013 and we will continue on this course.<\/p>\n The Year That Was<\/strong> While the initial intent of the article may have been for the good, facts arose that utterly refuted the article\u2019s claims, and the handling of the situation had a significant negative impact on Medical Marijuana Inc. Despite our efforts to resolve the situation amicably, the Company eventually had to file a lawsuit to protect the credibility of our products, our brands, our Company and to preserve the value created for our shareholders. The temporary damage to our Company\u2019s reputation caused by these false and misleading charges caused sales and revenues to fall significantly short of expectations. As we knew all along, the accusations about the quality of products were shown to be unfounded when the testing lab that was involved in part of the article, explained that the products are safe and well within tolerance. To date, two parties have settled in our litigation.<\/p>\n For MJNA\u2019s statement, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n For CannaVest\u2019s statement, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Another unfortunate and unexpected event involved our former partner firm, CannaVest Corp., when it cancelled our exclusive CBD hemp oil supply contract whereby they were to sell us a pre-arranged supply of CBD hemp oil. The net result for the Company was reduced sales revenue as we temporarily lost our entire supply channel (we are presently in litigation with CannaVest Corp. over this issue and expect this matter to be resolved in short order).<\/p>\n Though the year had its challenges, the Company still posted nearly a 300% increase in product sales versus the prior year to $14 million in 2014. Note that in 2013 we had extraordinary an gain of $24 million from the licensing of Phytosphere Systems to CannaVest Corp. (MJNA at the close of the year holds over $8m worth of seasoned securities in the public company, CannaVest.). In 2014 we re-launched Dixie Botanicals, wrote down and made inventory adjustments to reflect our new and lower cost of materials, upgraded computer systems, negotiated and acquired Kannaway \u2013 our biggest investment yet. Further, we launched five new product lines with over 20 SKUs.<\/p>\n Suffice it to say that the negative impact of prior events is now mostly behind us, illustrated by the fact that our new manufacturing of cannabinoid-rich hemp oil is of the highest quality \u2013 now available in nutraceutical products \u2026 and significantly less expensive. We are able to increase margins, pass savings to consumers and partners, and, in turn, we expect increased sales in the coming quarters.<\/p>\n The Year Ahead<\/strong> Medical Marijuana, Inc. continues to seek ways to reduce costs, maximize efficiencies then expand our distribution platform, expecting to significantly reduce administrative costs and expenses as the year unfolds. In 2014, one significant cost was our legal and consulting expense of $2.5 million due to ongoing litigation. We are also evaluating steps to improve our balance sheet in order to provide us with greater financial stability. Opportunities in the marketplace continue to show promise so we continue to evaluate potential joint venture, as well as merger and acquisition partners. We spent over $700,000 in 2014 on travel and lobbying expenses to help legalize Puerto Rico and several U.S. States as well as a few other markets we will touch on later in the year.<\/p>\n In late December of 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of Kannaway, LLC, a multi-level marketing company. At present, we are working on integrating operations and maximizing Kannaway\u2019s performance. We anticipate this taking no less than 6 months to complete. Kannaway provides us with an extensive line of additional hemp-based products that are marketable within the Kannaway MLM channels, which support our other traditional consumer distribution pipelines and overall company-wide sales revenues.<\/p>\n Kannaway has recently been given several industry awards, such as MLM start-up of the year and ranked eighth of 150 companies in 2015\u2019s Top Direct Selling Compensation Pay Plan Poll. At the recent Expo West Natural Products trade show, Kannaway\u2019s anti-aging skin care line was selected as a nominee for the \u201cWhats Next\u201d or \u201cNexty\u201d awards. Our Kannaway products have been featured in many national publications such as USA Today, Allure Magazine and others.<\/p>\n We have recently contracted with GH Investment Advisors to assist in our effort to better communicate with shareholders. GHIA is a third-party advisory service whose management has extensive experience in the securities industry.<\/p>\n The company also upgraded its website to better serve and communicate with shareholders. The www.medicalmarijuanainc.com<\/a> site now allows a shareholder the opportunity to communicate, the opportunity to purchase company products at a discount as well as provides updates and current news. We appreciate the support and loyalty of those who have shared our Company\u2019s vision and encourage you to get involved with the company via that platform.<\/p>\n In summary, I want my fellow shareholders to rest assured that MJNA has no intention of allowing a hurdles in 2014 to prevent it from capitalizing on and expanding upon its position as an industry leader and innovator. We intend to improve our top and bottom line, improve financial reporting, deleverage our balance sheet and set ourselves on a prosperous future course that doesn\u2019t just build value but also helps make the world a better place.<\/p>\n MJNA Investments<\/strong> CanChew Biotech<\/em> KannaLife Sciences Inc.<\/em> AXIM Biotechnologies, Inc.<\/em>
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\nMedical Marijuana, Inc. is a company of firsts. It was the first publicly held company vested in the cannabis and industrial hemp space in America. Though CBD-containing products have been marketed and sold as food and supplements for generations, the company was the first to develop a significant standardized manufacturing pipeline. We were also the first national and international distribution company (through our subsidiary HempMeds\u2122) fully focused on this industry and we now ship to more than 45 countries.<\/p>\n
\n2014 presented challenges for Medical Marijuana, Inc. and some of its subsidiaries. Our wholesale and retail product business was brought under attack from several fronts, including the unfortunate Project CBD Report titled \u201cHemp Oil Hustlers.\u201d Most concerning was the fact that up until the release of the report the Company was not contacted for comment. Up until that time, we as a Company had supported the efforts of Project CBD, a group of individuals whose focus (such as ours) had been on the education of the public regarding CBD and other cannabinoids for therapeutic use. Sadly, the report was filled with inaccuracies and false accusations that created unnecessary doubt about the Company and its products.<\/p>\n
\n2015 will be a year of redoubling our efforts to insure that Medical Marijuana, Inc. maintains its position as the industry leader and a remains a company of firsts. Our HempMeds\u2122 sales operation has been greatly streamlined and we have cut back on inefficient expenses. The world is waking up to the vast untapped potential of cannabinoid-rich hemp oil and our flagship product, Real Scientific Hemp Oil\u2122 (RSHO\u2122), continues to show increasing demand. Combining our reduced manufacturing costs with increasing demand by lower retail prices – we expect to see improving gross margins as the year progresses. Over the course of the last year we have been able to decrease our retail sales price by over 30% while still increasing margins and overall volume.<\/p>\n
\nI believe that it is critically important to again remind shareholders to keep their eyes on of the future potential of MJNA\u2019s impressive portfolio of investment holdings. I\u2019m concerned that shareholders might allow 2014 results to inadvertently deflect attention from MJNA\u2019s long-term potential. My concern is heightened by the fact that both the Company and the industry remain in their infancy and at a stage where an over-emphasis on fundamental analysis (much of which is written about by so-called analysts covering the medical marijuana space) may divert one\u2019s attention from the enormous developmental potential for the Company and industry. Your Company\u2019s investments in Canchew\u00ae Biotechnologies, LLC, Kannalife Sciences, Inc., Marijuana Protection Services, Inc. (\u201cMPSI\u201d) and recently AXIM Biotechnologies, Inc. present enormous future potential to increase shareholder value.<\/p>\n
\nCanChew has just received their U.S. Patent grant as of May 5, 2015 (US Patent # 9,023,322) titled: Chewing Gum Compositions Comprising Cannabinoids. CanChew will soon release a new version of their CBD hemp oil chewing gum and we eagerly await this improved product. CanChew\u2122 Gum supported the Adopt-A-Soldier program with a generous product donation, expanding awareness around CBD hemp oil in the convenient form of great-tasting chewing gum. For more information visit the Company\u2019s website at www.CanChewGum.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nKannaLife Sciences is a late-stage biotechnology company involved with the pharmaceutical development of new therapeutic compounds based on cannabinoids. KannaLife has garnered a licensing agreement with the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) for two indications: (1) Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) and secondly for traumatic head injury, known as (2) Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Dr. Bennet Omalu, the head pathologist who first discovered CTE in postmortem examinations of deceased NFL football players, has recently joined the KannaLife Scientific Advisory Board. Soon there may be hope for improved quality of life for these affected individuals. More information is available at: www.kannalife.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nRecently the Company has acquired ownership interest in AXIM Biotechnologies Inc. (OTC: AXIM). Shareholders can view various filings that relate to the ownership interest that MJNA holds in AXIM (currently 47% as of 10-K for year end 2014). AXIM is engaged in numerous initiatives including the development of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, dental, oral care and cosmetic products. AXIM also intends to build a modern manufacturing facility in The Netherlands, where it will produce products for internal and external use \u2013 this facility is also intended to be a location for clinical trials on various products. Company website: www.aximbiotech.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n