Paraguay approved two cannabis products as medicines, allowing cannabidiol (CBD oil) Real Scientific Hemp Oil-X (RSHO-X) and RSHO Blue Label by Medical Marijuana Inc.

While Paraguay has long been known as a world leader in producing black market cannabis, it has been illegal to grow cannabis in Paraguay until just last week.

Paraguay’s congress passed a bill on Dec. 5 creating a state-sponsored system to import cannabis seeds and grow medical cannabis, a decision that followed Peru, Chile, Argentina and Colombia’s medical cannabis legalization. Uruguay has fully legalized growing and selling cannabis for any use, according to Reuters.

This marks only the third botanical cannabis product to be approved as a medicine in the world. Many European countries approved cannabinoid medicine Sativex, an oral spray for MS Spasticity and chronic cancer pain, in 2013.

Epidiloex, a cannabinoid medicine for epilepsy syndromes, has also been approved in Europe and is being considered for approval by the United States’ Food & Drug Administration. There is one other approved cannabis product called Marinol, which treats vomiting symptoms from cancer medications, but it is synthetic versus botanical.

Medical Marijuana, Inc. CBD oil products will be available through Paraguay’s medical distribution channels. The company is the first publicly traded cannabis company in the United States.

Real Scientific Hemp Oil-X is used to treat epilepsy symptoms and chronic pain. It is non-psychoactive with trace amounts of THC.

“This is yet another example of the international trend of acceptance of medical research on CBD for medical use,” said Medical Marijuana, Inc. CEO Dr. Stuart Titus.

“We are continually encouraged by the decisions of governments to permit use of our products for patients suffering from multiple medical indications, where conventional medicine has had modest effects.”

Medical Marijuana, Inc.’s CBD hemp oil products have been used by over 100 citizens in Paraguay with medical indications ranging from cancer, pain, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and various other neurological diseases, according to a release. In 2016, Real Scientific Hemp Oil became the first medical cannabis product approved and imported for use in Paraguay as a supplement.

“We are a company of firsts, and we are excited about this new historic milestone of being the only company to have a CBD product registered in Paraguay,” said Titus.

Earlier this year, RSHO was also the first cannabis product approved for Brazil and Mexico. Medical Marijuana, Inc. reported a total gross profit of 297 percent compared to Q3 2016, after focusing on international expansion and cannabinoid research this year.

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In light of Jeff Sessions rescinding the Cole memo, cannabis businesses should focus on compliance with their state and local regulations, according to Los Angeles cannabis attorney Kellsi Booth.

“Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded the Department of Justice principles specific to marijuana enforcement that federal prosecutors, states, and cannabis industry participants have relied upon for years,” Booth said.

Sessions reaffirmed that marijuana is a ‘dangerous’ drug and marijuana activity remains a ‘serious crime’ in the eyes of the federal government. In place of the Ogden and Cole memos, Sessions encouraged federal prosecutors to consider the ‘general principles’ governing federal prosecutions in determining which marijuana activities to prosecute.

Booth got her start in the cannabis industry with the Maryland Department of Health, where she helped the Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Cannabis Commission create regulations for their medical cannabis program.

Booth shared this feedback on how cannabis businesses should approach the news.

Are there any actions businesses should take to protect themselves?

As long as marijuana remains a schedule I drug, marijuana businesses are at risk. However, I am certain that states like California and Colorado who have invested significant amounts of time and money into developing comprehensive medical and adult use marijuana programs will not let these businesses go down without a fight.

Businesses should continue to comply with all state laws and regulations, and establish positive relationships with the communities they serve to show that cannabis can be a benefit rather than a detriment. Finally, everyone who believes that marijuana should be legalized should push their federal lawmakers for marijuana law reform.

Can we expect any immediate action from federal prosecutors?

This announcement has created confusion and uncertainty. However, the practical implications of this policy change remain to be seen. Marijuana has always been a schedule 1 drug, and the Obama-era policies did not change that.

Rather, the Ogden and Cole memos spelled out certain enforcement priorities that I believe are largely in keeping with the general federal prosecution guidelines Sessions refers to in his own memo.

Should we anticipate more changes in federal law?

The fact of the matter is federal law is out of touch with reality. “Legal” marijuana is the fastest-growing industry in the United States, and the states have shown that marijuana can be decriminalized and regulated safely and effectively.

This is a wakeup call for Congress to change the antiquated laws and move forward with marijuana law reform.

In the coming weeks, I will be carefully watching to see whether Congress will take a stand or will follow the DOJ’s lead by removing the protections provided for the medical marijuana industry by the Rohrbacher-Blumenauer amendment.

Read Booth’s advice on 8 Factors California Cannabis Businesses Need to Know About State Licensing.

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Attorney General Jeff Sessions has rescinded the Cole Memo, a policy that allowed for the legal cannabis industry to flourish across the country, according to AP reports.

The Obama-era Cole Memo allowed states to make decisions on legal cannabis, without federal intervention or prosecution of cannabis businesses. Sessions’ new stance allows federal prosecutors to enforce federal law prohibiting growing, sales and distribution of cannabis.

Cannabis industry leaders, who long anticipated prohibitive action from Sessions, are prepared for what’s ahead.

Marco Hegyi, CEO of Growlife Inc, a nationally recognized cultivation brand, said he does not anticipate an impact on GrowLife’s business. “The legal rights granted by the California government to its citizens is a political issue that is beyond our control, however, we do not see it impacting GrowLife’s business,” he said. “GrowLife sells ‘picks and shovels’ to cultivators and does not sell the cannabis plant.  Therefore it does not see a reason to have any more legal exposure than the electric company, water utilities or facilities provider in providing its supplies to its customers.”

Concerns as to whether medical cannabis patients and consumers will be vulnerable to federal prosecution remain.

“This is my personal concern,” Hegyi said. “We are dealing with serious health matters where patients may be directly affected.  The potential of turning ailing US citizens into criminals is reprehensible.  Our veterans suffering from PTSD have found legal relief with Cannabis as have cancer patients and children with radical epilepsy.”

I am a businessman not an activist but at some time we must take a stance and not permit bureaucracy to threaten lives and livelihoods. This is not a money issue but one of human rights,” Hegyi said.

Investor confidence in the cannabis industry will be affected, said Avis Bulbulyan, CEO of SIVA Enterprises. “By far, the biggest impact and hit will be to investor confidence. This will probably slow down some of the money that’s been rolling in, at least for the immediate future, but understanding how far the industry has come, and understanding that it’s highly unlikely the industry is going to be shut down, this could be a great opportunity for investors to really get more bang for their buck. It’s going to come down to risk tolerance levels.”

More cannabis industry leaders react:

MARCO HEGYI, CEO of Growlife Inc:

“GrowLife is a public company that sells supplies and equipment for indoor cultivation where its customers range from food to legal Cannabis farmers.  We intend to stand by our customers, the US States and their governors who have used the election process to put a compliant process that helps and protects its citizens.  As the Cannabis industry fully supports these compliance laws, I expect that the White House Administration will also learn to support these laws and the industry, which is diminishing the Black Market for Cannabis and its predatory actions.”

JANE WEST, CEO of Jane West:

“The Department of Justice does not speak for the majority Americans who support legalization and the 29 states where medical or adult-use cannabis is now legal. By rescinding the Cole memo, the old guard is signaling just how terrified they are of this viable and vibrant new industry. This decision does not respect the will of the people, and any money spent prosecuting compliant, state-legal cannabis businesses is money we’re not spending to fight the opiate epidemic. We must continue to support the small businesses, organizations, and industry leaders who are fighting the war on drugs, creating jobs, and generating tax revenue.”

AVIS BULBULYAN, CEO of SIVA Enterprises:

“Earlier last year, there was talk that MJ was going to be held as a bargaining chip against states for negotiation on immigration issues. This could very well be intended as a distraction for the administration to keep people focused on this while a different agenda item is pushed along. Reality is that cannabis has tremendous support across the country regardless of party affiliation, and has a higher approval rating than the administration, really any prior administration and it’s probably going to take a whole lot more than nixing the Cole memo to shut it down.”

GUILLERMO BRAVO, CEO of Foottraffik:

“This is unfortunate for the cannabis industry, especially with the biggest cannabis market California going recreational this week. This is going to reduce investment money, interest, and cut back spending within the cannabis industry as well. The clear goal of the administration is to slow down the progress of the cannabis industry in any form, and this is a clear shot at California, Colorado, Washington, and the entire industry in general.”

JAIME LEWIS, Founder and CEO of Mountain Medicine, Chairwoman of the Board for National Cannabis Industry Association:

“For Jeff Sessions and the current administration, the War on Drugs is not over, but we’re also not done fighting to end it. This policy change does not mean a wholesale dismantling of the regulated markets that now exist in over half of US states. Now more than ever, it is of the utmost importance that we continue to support our colleagues and the organizations that are fighting for a legitimate, regulated marijuana industry and safe, legal access to cannabis medicine.”

LAURA BIANCHI, Director of Cannabis, Business/Corporate Transactions and Estate Planning Departments, Rose Law Group:

“We have always known Jeff Sessions is anti-marijuana and while it is certainly alarming to see him take this position, I see it as having little to no impact at this stage. The 2013 Cole memo provided guidance; however, as I have consistently reminded clients, it is not law, it is not an order and it is not precedent. So while certainly something to keep an eye on, I do not think this is cause for panic. With 29 states and Washington DC having implemented some form of a medical marijuana program, to undo this industry would be like closing Pandora’s Box once it’s been opened. It would be a Herculean effort that would undermine another Republican cornerstone, which is the importance of states’ rights. I advise clients continue to focus on operating their businesses in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations and try to ignore the chaotic, political, and shock-motivated headlines which have unfortunately become the norm.”

JOSE BELEN, Founder and CEO of Mission Zero:

“Jeff Session’s decision to rescind the Cole memo is abhorrent and will cause massive negative ramifications to veteran community. I say this as a proud combat veteran. Prior to becoming a medical cannabis patient, my 13-year battle with PTSD cost me my job, my home, my financial stability, and very nearly my life. That is why I am one of the six individuals suing the federal government to remove marijuana from its list of Schedule I drugs. My fear is that the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of veterans like myself will now have to live in fear of federal reprisal. As veterans we do not ask for much from our government. In this case we are simply asking for care from our country that we proudly would have died for.”

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Sessions came into office with the promise of cracking down on cannabis – including medical marijuana – at the federal level.

“The marijuana business has since become a sophisticated, multimillion-dollar industry that helps fund some government programs. Eight states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for recreational use, and California’s sales alone are projected to bring in $1 billion annually in tax revenue within several years,” AP reports.

The Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety, a group of prosecutors and federal law enforcement officials, declined to create new policy recommendations to advance the attorney general’s aggressively anti-marijuana views in 2016. The group’s report largely reiterated the Justice Department’s standing policy on marijuana.

California and Oregon submitted reports on the results of legal cannabis in their states to Sessions’ task force in 2017. Both reported positive effects on public safety and local economies.

In December, Sessions cited the American Medical Association policy when responding to a Department of Justice intern question about the risks of legal cannabis.
Cashinbis wrote the AMA and received their most up-to-date policies on cannabis. A document from the American Medical Association House of Delegates shows that these policies have changed slightly since September 2016, when the organization resolved to scratch that the “sale of cannabis should not be legalized.”

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Cannabis businesses are looking forward to a greener future – and the high demand for product that will come along with recreational cannabis legalization.

Three states are planning to legalize recreational cannabis in the next year. California plans to open retail cannabis stores by January 1, while Massachusetts and Maine plan to open stores in summer 2018.

Recreational cannabis is already legal in Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

California will issue new regulations for recreational cannabis in November. These could include water usage, licensing rules, and education training.

“We are in the process of stockpiling cannabis in order to fulfill the market needs,” Zach Lazarus, COO of the Green Alternative told KTLA.

“We believe there will be a huge rush. We go through two to four pounds [per day] on average, and we anticipate going through three to four times as much when we open the doors for recreational.”

The cannabis industry had 6.7 billion in sales last year, according to Arcview Market Research. California sales are expected to total $2.76 billion this year. With recreational marijuana, sales are estimated to rise to $3.8 billion in 2018, and to $6.6 billion in 2025, according to New Frontier Data.

In Massachusetts, small farms are lobbying to develop rules that will make it easier for small scale cultivators to compete when recreational cannabis takes off.

Nevada had over $3 million in sales when the state legalized recreational cannabis this July, prompting governor Brian Sandoval to declare a state of emergency so that state officials could increase distribution licenses, Newsweek reported.

Nevada is taxing recreational marijuana at 34 percent. In Colorado, it’s taxed at 28 percent. Colorado tax revenue from legal marijuana was $200 million in 2016.

Meeting regulations, ensuring quality control and packaging challenges are hot issues as cannabis industry leaders across the country anticipate greater demand with recreational legalization, and potentially federal legalization down the road.

“Medical marijuana was one of the “hot topics” at the recent PACK EXPO Las Vegas/Healthcare Packaging EXPO,” according to Packaging World.

“The initiative right now is being able to keep up with growth in the industry while keeping a high level of product integrity. We want to make sure as we’re growing quickly, we’re not losing quality. Quality control is important to the industry,” said Dan Williams, CEO of EnviroGrow.

Although California, Maine and Massachusetts will bring the total of recreational cannabis states up to eight, the U.S. has some catching up to do. Canada plans to have recreational cannabis for sale in July 2018.

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The State of Mexico is making a historic purchase of Medical Marijuana, Inc.’s HempMeds Mexico products for its citizens, starting with 11 epilepsy and cancer patients. Real Scientific Hemp Oil-X (RSHO-X) is cannabinoid hemp oil with zero THC.

This is the first time a government in Mexico has purchased CBD products for its citizens. The Mexican government’s move would be similar to Medicaid covering medical cannabis here in the states, and is a huge development in medical cannabis history. A report published in Health Affairs found that if all American states had legalized medical marijuana in 2014, Medicaid could have saved $1 billion in spending on prescriptions.

To mark the announcement, State of Mexico Governor Eruviel Avila distributed HempMeds Mexico’s flagship product Real Scientific Hemp Oil-X to the first 11 epilepsy and cancer patients at the inauguration of a new hospital in the State of Mexico on Thursday, August 17, 2017.

Numerous patients with neurological diseases, lung disease, epilepsy and other health problems have reported that they use fewer prescription medicines and have seen remarkable progress after using HempMeds products.

Nearly half of cannabidiol patients stop using traditional medicines according to a recent report on CBD oil user experience by Brightfield Group and HelloMD, who anticipate that the total cannabidiol market will reach $467 million in 2017.

Dr. Saul Garza Morales, pediatric researcher and neurologist in Mexico, recently shared the positive results of a recent study he conducted on the effects of Medical Marijuana, RSHO-X product in treating children with severe epilepsy, in which 86 percent of the 29 patients he studied experienced statistically significant (greater than 50%) reduction in motor seizures. Seventeen percent of the children were fully seizure free for a 4-month period.

HempMeds® Mexico is the first company to receive government import permits for a cannabis product via approval by the Mexican Health Department, COFEPRIS.

HempMeds made international news last month for opening its Monterrey, Mexico office, which serves as the hub for distribution of RSHO-X to Mexican distributors and patients.

Mexico legalized the cultivation, production, and use of cannabis products with less than one percent THC for medical use when President Pena Nieto signed a bill into law on June 19.

“We want to congratulate the State of Mexico’s government for this historic purchase of our CBD products to help relieve the suffering of its citizens,” said Medical Marijuana, Inc. Dr. Stuart Titus. “We are a Company of firsts and we are excited about this new historic milestone of being the first Company that a government has purchased our CBD products to benefit its citizens. The plethora of benefits of medical cannabis to treat several types of indications in undeniable and we are encouraged to see not only health professional, but also now governments, are becoming increasingly interested in how CBD hemp oil can help heal.”

Mexico represents a potential $1 to $2 billion cannabidiol (CBD) hemp oil market over the next ten years for Medical Marijuana, Inc, part of an anticipated upward global trend for the industry to reach $63.5 billion by 2024. The company plans to invest over three million dollars in scientific research, product development and educative programs for health professionals by 2019.

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Bloomberg, NBC Spotlight Only Female CEO in Final Running for Coveted Los Angeles County Cannabis Business Licenses

The City of Lynwood in Los Angeles County decided to pre-approve 13 applicants to cultivate legal cannabis last week.

Bloomberg, NBC and Telemundo have covered the decision, bringing international attention to this development in the green rush.

NBC said Lynwood county officials are making a ‘big move’ in allowing legal cannabis cultivation, and mentioned Priscilla Vilchis, CEO of Cali Premium Produce, as the only woman in the running.

“There are a lot of people watching. If this goes well, there’s going to be a domino effect with other local cities,” Vilchis told Bloomberg.

Vilchis told Telemundo that cannabis is known to treat epilepsy in children, and depression.

As the world learns more about the only minority woman pre-approved to cultivate cannabis in LA county, Vilchis’ accomplishments in building multimillion-dollar businesses have come to light.

Vilchis’ previous businesses include Leading Toxicology, Elite Management, and Ample Billing Solutions – each of which operate in states coast to coast in either the distribution of prescription pain medications through physicians, or the urine drug testing of patients of third-party physicians to determine the use of various pain medications.

“We’re excited to bring all this knowledge we have to the city of Lynwood,” she said. “We’re looking forward to creating jobs . . . doing community outreach to educate everyone here and let them know that marijuana isn’t something bad, it’s something that’s going to be able to help the future.”

Vilchis’ previous work is in the treatment of injured workers in various state workers’ compensation systems. As a result, she believes that the use of cannabis for the treatment of injured workers will result in savings to states’ health care systems by relieving pain – enabling workers to return to work earlier than with other medications.

Now setting her sights on Los Angeles County, Calif., Vilchis said she is eager to apply her business savvy to provide an ever greater number of consumers access to clean, safe cannabinoid products.

Coverage:

• Hollyweed: Legal Pot Gains Foothold in Rich California Market (Bloomberg)

• LA NBC News Announces Cali Premium Produce Among Lynwood Preliminary Marijuana License Winners (NBC)

• Telemundo Los Angeles Speaks with Cali Premium Produce CEO Priscilla Vilchis
  

• One of L.A.’s First Legit Cannabis Entrepreneurs Is Latina (LA Weekly)

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Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court has allowed a Crohn’s disease patient to sue her former employer for wrongful termination after they fired her for using medical cannabis. The case, Cristina Barbuto vs. Advantage Sales and Marketing, LLC is the first of its kind in the United States, and could raise questions over workplace policies regarding medical cannabis, including pre-employment drug testing practices.

Cristina Barbuto is suing Advantage Sales and Marketing, who fired her from a marketing position in 2014 after she failed a drug test. Barbuto, 35, uses medical cannabis to treat pain and symptoms from Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel condition. Barbuto had worked one day on the job when she learned she’d been fired, despite informing her employer of her medical cannabis use prior to starting the job. In her recent appeal, Barbuto’s lawyers wrote: “Ms. Barbuto explained to ASM that she did not use marijuana daily and would never consume it before work or at work.”

Barbuto initially filed an anti-discrimination law complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination in 2015, and told Boston Globe: “This is something that needs to change. I don’t want people to fear looking for these types of jobs and be humiliated because of this.” She later withdrew her MCAD complaint to file another complaint with the Superior Court, which dismissed it. Then she appealed to the Supreme Judicial Court.

On July 17, Chief Justice Ralph Gants of the Supreme Judicial Court wrote, “In 2012, Massachusetts voters approved the initiative petition entitled, ‘An Act for the humanitarian medical use of marijuana,’ St. 2012, c. 369 (medical marijuana act or act), whose stated purpose is “that there should be no punishment under state law for qualifying patients . . . for the medical use of marijuana.” . . . We conclude that the plaintiff may seek a remedy through claims of handicap discrimination. . . and therefore reverse the dismissal of the plaintiff’s discrimination claims.”

“We remand the case to the Superior Court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion,” the court found.

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White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer caused a bit of chaos among state lawmakers and cannabis business leaders last month after he alluded to a federal crackdown on states that have passed adult use cannabis laws. Spicer told reporters that the Trump administration had no plans to uphold the Obama-era policy of allowing states to implement recreational marijuana laws.

Despite President Trump repeatedly saying he supports the right of states to decide on marijuana legislation, the nation’s legal marijuana industry has been weary following the nomination and eventual confirmation of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a vocal opponent to legal cannabis. Spicer’s recent comments have boosted those concerns.

“There is still a federal law we need to abide by in terms of when it comes to recreational marijuana and other drugs of that nature,” Spicer said at the February 23 press conference.

When reporters asked whether states that have legalized adult use cannabis could be targeted, Spicer responded, “I do believe that you’ll see greater enforcement.”

What would a Crackdown mean for the Nation’s Cannabis Industry?

Since the passing of the Controlled Substances Act in 1970, marijuana has been federally prohibited and classified as a Schedule I substance. Despite federal law, 28 states have passed laws allowing marijuana for medical purposes and eight of those have also legalized it for recreational use.

Despite the legal cannabis market industry being in its infancy, it’s growing faster than the 2000s dot-com boom. The market, valued at $6.7 billion in 2016, is projected to have a gross domestic growth rate of 25 percent and exceed $21 billion by 2010. Colorado, the oldest recreational marijuana state, eclipsed $1.3 billion in sales last year.

Enforcement of federal laws against marijuana by the Trump administration would jeopardize $2.5 billion projected revenue this year alone, and $8.6 billion by 2020, according to a recent report from cannabis market research firm New Frontier Data, and would cost hundreds of thousands of jobs.

“Legal cannabis has been one of the fastest growing industries in the country for the past three years and any disruptions would substantially impact the economic activity stemming from the industry,” said New Frontier CEO and Founder Giadha Aguirre De Carcer, in a statement.

Dr. Stuart Titus, CEO of Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA), the first publicly traded cannabis company in the United States, stressed the importance of ending the stigma surrounding marijuana.

“While the Trump administration’s recent comments on recreational marijuana are not as progressive as hoped and fly in the face of current state-level cannabis trends; the Washington Beltway views are not likely to slow the move toward more progressive cannabis state / international trends. As a society, cannabis dialogue continues to move forward, and we’re excited that now over 90% of Americans acknowledge the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids and support legal access for medicinal usage. A growing majority percentage now favors recreational usage of cannabis with successful “experiments” in Colorado and Washington. Our mission is to change the way the world thinks of cannabis, knowing that not all cannabis is psychoactive. Our family of companies continues to be focused on the health and wellness benefits of legal cannabinoids,” Titus said.

Should Marijuana Businesses Be Worried?

Concerns among cannabis-friendly entrepreneurs, lawmakers, and advocates may not be warranted. According to Politico, Sessions reportedly provided some private assurances to senators before he was confirmed that, despite his personal objections to adult use marijuana, he didn’t foresee a major shift in enforcement.

“[Sessions] told me he would have respect for states’ right on these things. And so I’ll be very unhappy if the federal government decides to go into Colorado and Washington and all of those places. And that’s not [what] my interpretation of my conversation with him was. That this wasn’t his intention,” said Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), as quoted by Politico.

Not leaving things to chance, a large group of bipartisan senators, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), sent a letter recently urging Sessions to continue with the Obama administration’s hands-off policy to implementing federal marijuana laws.

“Do they really respect states’ krights? Then you should respect all of them, not just pick and choose the ones that you want to support or not,” said Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.).

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HempMeds® Brasil, a subsidiary of Medical Marijuana, Inc. (MJNA) has been authorized by the Brazilian government to import its flagship cannabidiol (CBD) hemp oil product, Real Scientific Hemp OilTM (RSHOTM) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency ANVISA has allowed CBD treatments for any medical condition, provided it’s prescribed by a doctor, since 2015. HempMeds® Brasil was the first company to be given legal permission to import medicinal cannabis products, which are subsidized by the Brazilian government under its health care system.

With three hemp CBD products approved for importation as a prescription medication, the Company to date has had doctor prescriptions for epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, autism, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain. This is the first time, however, that ANVISA has permitted the filing of a prescription for RSHOTM to treat the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

“We once again commend the Brazilian government for responding to the humanitarian interests of its people by allowing them access to CBD hemp oil products that can treat the symptoms of conditions with no known cure or limited treatment options,” said Dr. Stuart Titus, Chief Executive Officer of Medical Marijuana, Inc.

The most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease where symptoms of memory and cognitive loss gradually worsen over time. Through what scientists believe is due to a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors, plaques and tangles build up in the brain, interfering with cell communication and the transport of nutrients to eventually cause cell demise.

Research findings indicate that CBD provides neuroprotective, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects to help improve the survival rate of brain cells. A 2014 study published in Psychopharmacology found CBD to also have efficacy for encouraging the regeneration of brain cells for potentially reversing the cognitive deficits caused by Alzheimer’s.

The number of people worldwide suffering from dementia continues to increase, according to Alzheimer’s Disease International’s 2016 World Alzheimer report. The number of dementia cases is expected to balloon to 131.5 million by 2050, up from 46.8 million in 2015. Currently, there are more than 1 million people in Brazil that live with some form of dementia and with the country’s retired aging population on the rise, Investopedia projects the Alzheimer’s pharmaceutical market to be worth $34 billion in U.S. dollars by 2020.

“Treatment solutions for neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are desperately needed because of the difficulty in developing pharmaceuticals that can pass the blood-brain barrier, a specialized system of cells that allow nutrients in the brain while preventing harmful substances from passing through,” added Dr. Titus. “Cannabinoids like CBD, however are able to pass through the blood-brain barrier and affect cannabinoid receptors in the brain and recent studies have shown the efficacy of cannabis for Alzheimer’s disease.”

Last month, HempMeds® Brasil announced that it was partnering with leading global wholesale distributor Paragon HealthCare BR in further effort to secure the Brazilian market and expand access to CBD in the Brazil and across Latin America. The Company believes that there are numerous potential indications for usage of CBD and Paragon Health Care BR will also supply doctors and clinics prepared to conduct clinical study and research.

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In 1969, a Gallup poll showed that only 12% of the population believed that cannabis should be legal. Fast forward to 2016 and that number has risen dramatically – to 60 percent.

In fact, the use of medical cannabis is legal in over half of the 50 states in America – 28 to be exact. And recently, in the 2016 election, 8 states approved the use of cannabis for medical (Montana, North Dakota, Arkansas, and Florida) and recreational (Maine, Nevada, Massachusetts, and California) use.

The is all good news for dispensaries in Las Vegas. Due to its indulgent reputation and the freedom it offers to pot users, the city is being hailed as “the future cannabis capital of the world.”

As of right now, this city is already a hot canna-tourism destination, mainly because of its lax reciprocity laws. Basically, they allow medical marijuana patients from other states to purchase cannabis at Las Vegas dispensaries. Furthermore, it is estimated that the city is visited by roughly 45 million tourists every year and, with the recent legalization of recreational cannabis, this number is expected to increase significantly.

When this happens, the potential demand for cannabis will likely skyrocket, leaving the 40 or so authorized Las Vegas dispensaries hard pressed to keep up with the demand. In other words, the market growth for these establishments is virtually guaranteed.

The Future of Legalization in the States

The demand for more dispensaries and the increase in support for legalization shows that voters have begun to recognize both the negative impacts of marijuana prohibition and the medicinal benefits of the herb. Furthermore, it’s safe to say that a large number of cannabis lovers will use the plant no matter what the law says. Some common ground had to be found.

Thankfully, a consensus was reached. The money generated from legal cannabis taxation could be used for education and in other areas where state budgets were lacking. This gave both voters who either don’t use or like cannabis a reason to vote in favor of its legalization.

But, it’s important to note that with the election of a wild-card of a president, the future of the legalization movement is up in the air. Trump has said that there will be negative effects from the legalization of this herb, but he also stated that medical and recreational cannabis should be handled on a state level. Still, it’s unlikely that changing the cannabis laws will be a top priority for Trump and his administration.

The States That We Can Expect To Jump on The Cannabis Bandwagon

Issues with Trump notwithstanding, the news just keeps getting better for America’s burgeoning cannabis industry. Due to its success in the places where its use has been legalized, there are several other states that seem to be on the verge of following the cannabis route as well. Some of them include:

• Arizona: Because of their recent (and close but no dice) bid for legalization last year, activists in this state can’t wait to get another shot on the ballot. So, don’t be surprised if medical marijuana reform rears its little head in 2018. The larger battle, for full legalization, won’t happen for another couple of years – activists will need time to persuade the conservative Arizona electoral to see their side of things.
• Idaho: Three years ago, the state senate voted to never legalize cannabis in this state. But, this hasn’t stopped activists – they are determined to have medical cannabis on the next ballot.
• Missouri: Due to the lack of a mere 23 votes in one St. Louis district, the measure was declined in last year’s election. But, this can be easily rectified. In other words, the medical cannabis measure will probably be met with approval the next time it shows up on the ballot.
• Oklahoma: Due to some ballot printing deadlines, the medical marijuana issue didn’t make the 2016 ballot. But, this probably won’t be the case next time – especially since it passed in nearby Arkansas.
• Rhode Island: Activists in this state are ready to put cannabis legalization on the ballot in 2018. But, their legislature may be ahead of them. Apparently, lawmakers are considering their own legalization statute, which may be seen as early as the 2017 session.

The Bottom Line

The future of cannabis in America is looking bright. But there will, no doubt, be some bumps in the road. Still, if activists keep pushing, these obstacles will be naught but little irritations that can easily be eliminated.

Article provided by Essence Cannabis Dispensary

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One company has made it their mission over the past year to expand access to cannabinoid-based products to people across Latin America. Since summer of 2014, Medical Marijuana, Inc. has been the first company to have cannabis products approved for import and use in three separate countries, Brazil, Mexico, and Paraguay, and has shown that is eager to develop additional untapped markets for future development.

Mexico has recently added 22 new patients to its list of those approved to import Real Scientific Hemp Oil, a form of cannabidiol (CBD) hemp oil sold by Medical Marijuana, Inc. that has shown beneficial effects in those with a number of conditions, including intractable epilepsy, that resist traditional treatments.

Of the 22 patients approved to import Real Scientific Hemp Oil or RSHO, most are adolescents suffering from epilepsy. With little hope in expensive traditional treatments that have proven to be ineffective, the families of these patients have sought out RSHO after hearing about the results from other families with epileptic children in Mexico and abroad.

Medical cannabis in Mexico, a country of 120 million residents, represents a significant potential market, estimated to be worth up to $12 billion annually. As the country awaits a second vote on medical marijuana, Medical Marijuana, Inc. is pressing forward with efforts to expand access to their CBD hemp oil products, which provide many of the same benefits as medical cannabis, without the high of marijuana.

“With its more than 120 million residents, Mexico represents a potentially vast market for Medical Marijuana, Inc.,” the company’s CEO Dr. Stuart Titus said. “Our company’s goal is ‘access for all’ and we have already made great strides in Mexico to get our products to the people there suffering with debilitating medical conditions.”

However, medical cannabis wasn’t even a discussion in Latin America before the growth of the CBD hemp oil market.

The conversation started with Medical Marijuana, Inc.’s RSHO and a little girl in Brazil. Anny Fischer was born with a severe form of childhood epilepsy. Her mother, Katiele, desperate for a solution, heard about a family in Texas that had experienced previously unheard of success with CBD hemp oil for their daughter’s epilepsy. The mother of that family was Penny Howard, who had been giving her daughter Harper RSHO for years.

While the Fischer family fought for right to import RSHO to Brazil, Medical Marijuana, Inc. created HempMeds® Brasil to educate local health officials and lawmakers on the benefits of CBD hemp oil and help patients learn how to access RSHO for themselves. The Brazilian government has now extended the indications approved for RSHO to include epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and chronic pain and migraines.

When the discussion over RSHO next began in Mexico, Medical Marijuana, Inc. was on hand. The company participated in public forums and sponsored educational events. Through its local division, HempMeds® Mexico, they worked with government officials and partnered with local nonprofits like the Por Grace Foundation to spread awareness for CBD hemp oil. What started as a conversation quickly became a movement, and in April of 2016, President Peña Nieto announced that Mexico would take a radical new approach to cannabis regulation.

Even though President Peña Nieto’s cannabis reform legislation in Mexico has been stalled, patients already approved for CBD hemp oil in Mexico can continue to import it. Those interested in applying for an import certificate can learn about the process at the HempMeds® Mexico website.

This model of legalization seen in Brazil and Mexico has already begun to take hold in Latin America, with Paraguay being the most recent country to allow RSHO CBD oil to be imported into their country for a child with epilepsy.

Observing the vast medical potential for the use of cannabinoids, the Medical Marijuana, Inc. portfolio of companies is actively developing cannabinoid based pharmaceuticals to further safe access to as many patients as possible.

Kannalife Sciences received the first licenses from the U.S. government to develop patent 6,630,507, awarded to the National Institutes of Health. The patent covers the use of cannabinoids as both antioxidants and neuroprotectants, and Kannalife Sciences is using it to create novel treatments for hepatic encephalopathy, a brain condition linked to alcohol and pill abuse, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is caused by repeated head injuries and often seen in NFL players.

Another Medical Marijuana, Inc. investment, AXIM® Biotech, created the chewing gum delivery system for cannabinoids, which it has developed into CanChew gum, a CBD hemp oil supplement, and MedChew RX, a combination THC/CBD gum seeking approval for the treatment of pain and spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis. AXIM® is also beginning proof of concept trials on a cannabinoid-based topical treatment for eczema and psoriasis.

Medical Marijuana, Inc. is also looking to complete clinical trials in Brazil for all approved indications to support the use of RSHO as a prescription.

Access to alternative healthcare in Latin America has never been more important. Latin American countries reliably spend less per GDP on healthcare than most comparable countries, and the proliferation of universal healthcare has done little to bring equitable care to patients in Latin American countries. This has created a need for alternative treatments and affordable healthcare options in countries like Mexico, and RSHO CBD oil goes a long way to fill that need.

While the value of the potential medical cannabis industry in Brazil hasn’t been calculated, based on comparably sized markets, the country of 200 million could top $20 billion if medical marijuana were legalized. The currently accepted conditions of epilepsy, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and chronic pain and migraines cover some of the most difficult to treat conditions healthcare encounters. 38% of those with epilepsy in Brazil had inadequate care; 19% were on no treatment at all.

Mexico’s medical cannabis market has been estimated to be worth up to $12 billion. Like in other Latin American countries, healthcare coverage is often deficient. Although CBD hemp oil has only been approved for epilepsy in the country, it constitutes an enormous need. The global epilepsy market is expected to grow to $5.4 billion by 2022.

Dr. Titus concluded, “Despite the pause on a definitive agreement from Mexico legislators, Medical Marijuana, Inc. and our partners in Mexico will continue to fight for Mexican families to expand and ensure legal access to medical marijuana for all those in need of it. In the meantime, RSHO-X continues to be available via a doctor’s prescription as the first legal cannabis-based product within Mexico.”

Although Medical Marijuana, Inc.’s products are now being accepted by select Latin American countries as prescription medications, their CBD hemp oil products have long been available for purchase and shipment across the U.S. and in over 40 countries in Europe, Asia, the Americas as dietary supplements. In these markets, anyone can buy CBD hemp oil supplements without a doctor’s prescription or recommendation and have them shipped directly to their home.

Anyone in the U.S. interested in the health benefits of cannabinoids can get started today by shopping online at medicalmarijuanainc.com/store.

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Like Brazil and Mexico before it, Paraguay has approved Real Scientific Hemp Oil (RSHO), a non-psychoactive CBD oil, as the first cannabis-based product available in the country. The import permit was granted to the family of Mathias Alejandro Gonzalez, who suffers from a rare form of childhood epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and autism spectrum disorder. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is considered an intractable form of epilepsy, meaning it doesn’t respond to traditional treatments. The Gonzalez family was importing expensive but ineffective drugs from Spain when they decided to give RSHO a try.

Mathias was diagnosed with both epilepsy and autism.

We couldn’t be more excited that Paraguay is requesting our CBD hemp oil brand, RSHO, as the first for government-approved importation. It brings full-circle the efforts of creating systems and infrastructure in order to provide reliable access to our CBD hemp oil brands to individuals around the world,” stated Dr. Stuart Titus, CEO of Medical Marijuana, Inc.

The Direccion Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria in Paraguay approved the importation certificate on April 15th. The import permit allows the family to acquire one bottle of Medical Marijuana, Inc.’s RSHO liquid, which contains 1000 mg of hemp derived CBD. The Gonzalez family had to petition the health authorities in Paraguay for the right to treat their son with CBD hemp oil, arguing that their son deserved to pursue treatment with cannabis as a basic human right.

Paraguay has approved the first import certificate for CBD oil to Mathias.

Unlike in the U.S., where CBD oil products are sold as dietary supplements, many countries classify all forms of cannabis, even hemp, as illegal. However, the hemp derived CBD oil products from Medical Marijuana, Inc. have already been the impetus for change in South and Central America with both Brazil and Mexico approving RSHO as a legal import. In the Caribbean, Puerto Rico has authorized the use of medical marijuana for those over 21 with the recommendation of an authorized physician.

The use of Real Scientific Hemp Oil has spread recently in Latin America.

In addition to chronic pain, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy, Brazil recently added cancer as an indication for the use of RSHO. Brazil first approved RSHO following a grassroots campaign by Medical Marijuana, Inc. and their subsidiary HempMeds® Brasil aimed at educating Brazil’s citizens, doctors, and health officials on the medical benefits of CBD oil.

Mexico also recently permitted the use of CBD oil in their country. The first family approved was that of Grace Elizalde. Grace’s parents, Raul and Mayela Elizalde, are the founders of the Por Grace Foundation, a non-profit organization that has partnered with HempMeds® Mexico to help families interested in accessing a THC-free version of Real Scientific Hemp Oil called RSHO-X. The Por Grace Foundation and the Elizalde family were instrumental in the process of securing the first permit for cannabis in Paraguay for the Gonzalez family.

The Elizalde family became involved in the movement for medical cannabis after their daughter Grace was diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, causing her to suffer from the same autism and seizures as Mathias. Raul began the Por Grace Foundation to raise awareness for RSHO for his daughter after he became frustrated with ineffective traditional treatments. Medical Marijuana, Inc. and HempMeds® worked closely with the Elizalde family and Mexican health officials to secure permission for Grace to import RSHO.

Ever since first allowing the Elizalde family access to RSHO, the Mexican government has drastically changed direction in their marijuana policy. In a public address in April, Mexican President Peña Nieto laid out his plan to reform cannabis laws. Raul Elizalde preceded the President’s announcement with a sentimental speech commending Mexico’s compassionate new approach to cannabis.

Paraguay has had a tenuous relationship with cannabis since the start of the drug war.

Paraguay is showing signs of following Mexico’s lead. Although possession up to 10 grams is currently decriminalized in Paraguay, the country has otherwise taken a hardline stance on marijuana in the past, adopting a slash and burn policy to eradicate the thousands of hectares of cannabis growing in the rolling hills of Paraguay’s countryside and cracking down on traffickers who move the marijuana throughout Paraguay and over the borders into neighboring countries like Brazil.

Just as Mexico’s President used harsh language regarding cannabis in the past, Paraguay’s President Horacio Cartes has said he is completely against legalizing marijuana, calling it an “addictive drug that destroys lives”. With the approval of RSHO for Mathias Gonzalez, Paraguay may be adopting Mexico’s new direction in cannabis policy.

Considering this trend among Latin American countries of adjusting their cannabis laws to fit the changing public acceptance of medical marijuana and rising costs of health care and law enforcement that strain the budgets of these developing economies, Medical Marijuana, Inc. has predicted a pattern of continued growth in the medical cannabis market in Latin America. With Brazil and Mexico already making up a market of over 320 million, Paraguay adds another 7 million citizens who could soon have full access to CBD hemp oil products.

Visit this education page to learn more about CBD and hemp oil or see this convenient guide to CBD hemp oil products.

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