PR Newswire<\/p>\n
SAN DIEGO, March 20, 2013<\/p>\n
SAN DIEGO,\u00a0March 20, 2013\u00a0\/PRNewswire\/ —\u00a0Medical Marijuana Inc.<\/a>\u00a0(OTC Pink: MJNA) is pleased to inform shareholders that\u00a0Italy\u00a0and theCzech Republic\u00a0have recently legalized marijuana for medicinal use.\u00a0MJNA<\/a>\u00a0will be stepping up its presence and launching its portfolio of products and services, including its revolutionary Cannabidol (CBD) Over-The-Counter (OTC) health and wellness products in\u00a0\u00a0Europe,Canada, and the Caribbean Island Nations.<\/p>\n MJNA<\/a>\u00a0expects to soon launch its full portfolio of products and services into these new as well as existing markets.\u00a0 The recent licensing of\u00a0PhytoSPHERE Systems<\/a>\u00a0brand and the outsourcing of its manufacturing to\u00a0CannaVest Corp<\/a>\u00a0will serve to lower the overall cost of goods sold, while continuing to allow for significant research advances in genetics, seed and the overall cultivation of specialty high concentration CBD industrial hemp cultivars.\u00a0\u00a0 With this synergistic relationship new products as well as raw ingredients will be available, particularly as\u00a0MJNA<\/a>expects to invest into local manufacturers, distributors and adds CBD to existing brands. We are aggressively developing additional Over-The-Counter (OTC) products in\u00a0the United States\u00a0and will bring these products to the newly emerging markets.<\/p>\n Countries such as\u00a0Denmark\u00a0have been looking at legalization of cannabis and the possibility of importing product from\u00a0Colorado\u00a0and Washington States.\u00a0 A meeting is set for this Friday with US Officials in this matter.\u00a0 This presents another potential opportunity for\u00a0MJNA’s<\/a>\u00a0seed-to-sale tracking system, cultivation, extraction, manufacturing and packaging. Our services have recently been enhanced with our investment in\u00a0KannaLife Sciences<\/a>, who has among other things developed a proprietary packaging system, known as KannaPak. In conjunction with\u00a0PhytoSPHERE Systems<\/a>\u00a0technology for the production of consistent cannabis, high CBD cultivar development, and production of cannabis based cannabinoid oils, the KannaPak standardized testing, labeling and packaging systems provide for a true industry leading advantage. The services the company can now provide to government agencies, labs, universities, agricultural groups and producers of cannabis based products is truly second to none. More on\u00a0KannaLife Sciences<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0PhytoSPHERE Systems<\/a><\/p>\n In the\u00a0Czech Republic,\u00a0Medical Marijuana Inc.<\/a>\u00a0has previously had a significant presence with facilities and sites to grow and process industrial hemp.\u00a0 Many of these expansion opportunities can now be more fully developed as demand for these CBD-based products has escalated and the company looks to license and expand its industrial hemp and medical marijuana products and services.<\/p>\n Under a bill signed into law last month by President\u00a0Vaclav Klaus, the\u00a0Czech Republic\u00a0initially\u00a0will initially import medical cannabis from Israel and the Netherlands<\/a>\u00a0as it sets up a licensing system to eventually grow medicinal cannabis inside the country. \u00a0Patients will need a doctor’s prescription to buy cannabis, which will be sold at pharmacies (but likely not covered by health insurance plans).<\/p>\n The country is working on developing additional rules governing the sale of medicinal cannabis; however\u00a0MJNA’s<\/a>\u00a0Cannabidiol (CBD) based products are currently legal for marketing and sales. We have \u00a0a network of pharmacies which sell Over-The-Counter (OTC) nonprescription products as well as traditional pharmaceutical medications. Once the final guidelines are approved for medical cannabis manufacturing and distribution of THC based products, we expects an easy transition from our non-THC hemp-based products, to currently formulated THC medicinal cannabis lines such as Dixie Elixirs. Dixie Elixirs is the world’s most recognizable and trusted cannabis based brand, consisting of nearly 75 products. More on the\u00a0Dixie Brand\u00a0 \u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Medical Marijuana Inc<\/a>., having been involved in the\u00a0Czech Republic\u00a0and having operational centers there for manufacturing and distribution, the company is now just making this information about its operations and distribution capabilities available to the public after years’ in development.<\/p>\n Italy, with 60.8 million inhabitants is the fifth most populous country in\u00a0Europe, a member of the G8, G20 and NATO.\u00a0\u00a0Italy\u00a0is a founding member of the European Union (EU).\u00a0 In legalizing cannabis for medical purposes, the government has taken into consideration the following points:<\/p>\n (1). THC and Dronabinol are classified as medicines while cannabis had been classified as a dangerous and addictive drug<\/p>\n (2). Notes from the Italian Superior Institute of Health, the Italian Superior Council of Health and the Antidrug Policy Department were issued in support of the decision to legalize medicinal cannabis usage within the country.<\/p>\n The Italian government legally allows the medicinal usage of cannabis in all its forms while remaining in compliance with the UN Convention on Drugs.\u00a0 Ranked in the world’s top ten in terms of quality-of-life,\u00a0Italy\u00a0enjoys a very high standard of living and a high GDP per capita.\u00a0 Article:\u00a0http:\/\/sensiseeds.com\/en\/blog\/news-flash-italy-legalises-medicinal-cannabis\/<\/a><\/p>\n Given the various trade agreements that exist within the EU,\u00a0Medical Marijuana Inc.<\/a>\u00a0and its European counterparts expect to soon have products available in the Italian retail marketplace and will open online sales in April.\u00a0 This would be a natural extension of the\u00a0Czech Republic\u00a0operation, targeting pharmacies and direct to consumers sales.<\/p>\n As noted by MMJ Business Daily: “legalization will create at least some opportunities for US companies \u2013 such as those that have developed support products, services and technology for operations that handle medical marijuana \u2013 as well as consultants and individual experts who can advise on cultivation methods, security, inventory tracking, etc.”<\/p>\n According to MMJ Business Daily: “One US company began preparing for this development last year. \u00a0California-based Medical Marijuana Inc, a publicly traded firm that offers a variety of MMJ and cannabidiol-based edibles through its subsidiaries, recently\u00a0formed a European based holding company to distribute its products throughout the European Union. \u00a0While some of its offerings can be sold Over-The-Counter because they are derived from hemp and don’t have psychotropic effects, the company also hopes to sell its marijuana-infused products in European countries that legalize MMJ.”\u00a0 The Company plans to sell these products via licensing agreements to established sources of European product distribution.<\/p>\n Further from MMJ Business Daily: “Legalization of medical cannabis in the\u00a0Czech Republic\u00a0‘is a very positive development for the addressable market overseas just as it is here in the US; hence we formed the company last year in preparation for the legalization of MMJ within the EU,” said\u00a0Tripp Keber, head of Dixie Elixirs and Edibles, a subsidiary of Medical Marijuana Inc.<\/p>\n Aside from the business implications of legalization in\u00a0Italy\u00a0and the\u00a0Czech Republic, the development is significant enough in itself, signaling that views of marijuana in general are changing around the globe. The more countries that adopt medical cannabis laws, the stronger pro-MMJ arguments become in the US and the more significant are the opportunities for companies that have specialized products or services to offer.<\/p>\n In the Canadian market,\u00a0MJNA<\/a>\u00a0plans to bring in its full line of branded products and corporate identification to this previously untapped market.\u00a0 Raw ingredients, particularly the\u00a0PhytoSPHERE<\/a>\u00a0high concentration CBD oil will be available to Canadian businesses to infuse into health and wellness products.\u00a0 The new line of various CBD infused wellness products will be brought to\u00a0Canada\u00a0via marketing and licensing agreements that are in process.<\/p>\n In\u00a0Canada, patients classified as Category 1 covers any symptoms treated within the context of providing compassionate\u00a0end-of-life care<\/a>\u00a0or the symptoms associated with the following medical conditions listed below:<\/p>\n Category 2 is for applicants who have debilitating symptom(s) of medical condition(s), other than those described in Category 1. The application of eligible patients must be supported by a medical practitioner.\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0Health Canada<\/a>\u00a0permits marijuana for approved patients who can demonstrate a medical need for compassionate end-of-life care or debilitating symptoms.<\/p>\n Dispensaries, also called “compassion clubs,” currently provide cannabis-based medicines, education and other supports to between 25,000 and 50,000 patients in\u00a0Canada, a significant number of them in B.C.\u00a0 However the Liberal party, currently in power, estimates there are three million regular cannabis users in Canada.\u00a0 The Liberal party voted overwhelmingly to make cannabis legalization a part of its official platform at its biennial convention last year.\u00a0 If legalized, the Party estimates that it would require 2,700 retail outlets to service this demand, all of which will need our company’s products and full portfolio of services.<\/p>\n Medical Marijuana Inc.’s recent investment in\u00a0KannaLife Sciences<\/a>\u00a0where the US Government patent on the therapeutic usage of cannabinoids has been secured, will allow the Company to further its presence into the rapidly expanding cannabinoid arena.\u00a0\u00a0MJNA<\/a>\u00a0can easily plug THC into its new line of products, thus making a CBD, CBD-THC combination or pure THC product available to these developing federally legal markets.<\/p>\n Even in\u00a0the Netherlands\u00a0portion of St Maarten Island, marijuana is technically not legal.\u00a0 Although there are not coffee shops, one can easily access cannabis here and on other Dutch islands in the Caribbean.\u00a0 Police generally “look the other way” when cannabis is being used recreationally but will interfere in any “trafficking” activities.\u00a0 No island would want to be put in the US Department of State’s list of drug havens.<\/p>\n Certain\u00a0Caribbean\u00a0nations have reached out\u00a0 to Medical Marijuana Inc. in order to better understand our products, and the services we would be able to provide in terms of standardization of products, tracking from seed to sale, testing, distribution and product efficacy. Their goal is to provide for a medical cannabis regulatory environment that complies with all United Nations Treaties on Cannabis \u00a0and are looking\u00a0 to implement a medical cannabis program similar to\u00a0Colorado’s. \u00a0This presents\u00a0MJNA<\/a>\u00a0with additional opportunities to sell over-the-counter CBD and non-THC based products.\u00a0 These Departments of Health, Departments of Agriculture and Departments of Commerce have contacted\u00a0MJNA<\/a>. We are in the process of education one another of the potential benefits of implementing such a program.<\/p>\n Medical Marijuana Inc, the industry leader in terms of products and services, is not standing still and admiring their accomplishments.\u00a0 Rather the company is out exploring opportunities to develop markets and relationships around the globe.\u00a0 Through investment or acquisition, the company seeks new products, new markets and news ways to educate and inform a worldwide audience on the health and wellness benefits of phyto-cannabinoid based health and wellness products.<\/p>\n FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER<\/em><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n About Medical Marijuana, Inc.<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 We strive to create awareness within our industry, develop environmentally friendly, economically sustainable businesses, while increasing shareholder value.\u00a0 For more information, please visit the company’s website at:\u00a0\u00a0www.MedicalMarijuanaInc.com<\/a><\/p>\n About KannaLife Sciences<\/strong><\/p>\n KannaLife Sciences (“KannaLife”), is a late stage bio-pharmaceutical and phyto-medical technology company. We were created to develop natural, phyto-medical products to be used in\u00a0health and wellness<\/a>\u00a0regimens. We are also involved in the research and development of novel new therapeutic agents to be used as transport carriers for other compounds seeking to break the blood\/brain barrier as well as our own compounds to be used for the treatment and prevention of oxidative and neuro-toxic stresses born from a variety of ailments and illnesses. For more information, please visit the company’s website at:\u00a0\u00a0www.Kannalife.com<\/a><\/p>\n About PhytoSPHERE Systems<\/strong><\/p>\n PhytoSPHERE Systems is the world’s leading cannabinoid based biotechnology company that develops and builds technology specifically for the cannabis industry. This includes the research, development and production of specialty cannabis cultivars. The company acquires, develops and manages traditional cannabis agricultural facilities, as well as produces cannabinoid based high value oil, extracts and products for the wholesale and retail markets.<\/p>\n About Dixie Botanicals<\/strong><\/p>\n Dixie Botanicals offers innovative hemp oil products for health conscious consumers. Our formulation experts include scientists, clinical herbalists and nutritionists, who work to integrate our hemp oil into a variety of beneficial and uniquely effective over-the-counter (OTC) products\u2013 both\u00a0dietary supplements<\/a>\u00a0and a topical balm. For more information, please visit the company’s website:\u00a0http:\/\/dixiebotanicals.com<\/a><\/p>\n For additional information and media coverage of Dixie Elixirs and Botanicals click on any of the links below:<\/p>\n Fast Company “Innovation Agents”<\/a><\/p>\n 60 Minutes “Rocky Mountain High Segment”<\/a><\/p>\n 60 Minutes “Overtime” segment<\/a><\/p>\n Newsweek October 22 Cover Story, “The New Pot Barons”<\/a><\/p>\n Newsweek Cover Story Photo Gallery<\/a><\/p>\n WTSP Story:<\/a><\/p>\n Seattle Times:<\/a><\/p>\n Denver Post:<\/a><\/p>\n Stateline<\/a><\/p>\nCzech Republic<\/h4>\n
Italy<\/h4>\n
MMJ Business Daily Weighs In<\/h4>\n
Canada<\/h4>\n
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Caribbean Islands<\/h4>\n
A New World of Opportunities<\/h4>\n