In Colorado, for example, the following conditions are state-approved for medical marijuana treatment:

• Cachexia (a condition typically caused by a disease like cancer or AIDS that causes significant weight loss, including muscle loss)
• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV or AIDS
• Persistent muscle spasms
• Seizures
• Severe pain
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Notice anything about that list? Except for PTSD, all of those conditions are primarily physical. 

The relationship between mental health and cannabis use is less clear. The U.S. drug war and decades of misinformation have biased the perception of cannabis use in mainstream medicine and culture.

Is Cannabis an Effective Treatment for Depression?

Thanks to nearly a century of federal cannabis prohibition making most plant studies illegal, there’s a lot about the cannabis plant that we just don’t know.

Study after study shows a correlation between cannabis use and depression, though prohibitionists or federal organizations sometimes use them to discourage cannabis use.

However, as more scientific studies are released and peer-reviewed by unbiased sources, it’s becoming increasingly clear that cannabis may be an effective treatment for the 280 million people in the world who suffer from depression.

Anecdotally, you can look at a longstanding cannabis review site like Leafly.com to see their database includes thousands of strains that users say positively affect depression and anxiety. Scientifically, recent studies released in The Journal of Biology and Medicine and Journal of Affective Disorders found that cannabis use provided great relief to those suffering from depression. 

There’s still plenty of work needed to get to the bottom of marijuana’s actual effects. But based on what we know now, here are five cannabis strains likely to help with symptoms associated with depression—like sadness, insomnia, a lack of energy, low concentration, and appetite loss.

Gelato

Cannabis enthusiasts prize the Gelato strain for its THC rate of 17% and uplifting effects. More than 2,000 people have ranked the strain at Leafly.com’s strain database—with “euphoric,” “aroused,” and “happy” being the top three good feelings they associate with it. 

About a quarter of Leafly’s reviewers said it aids in their depression (24%) and anxiety (26%), while 27% told the site that it’s a good destresser.

Photo: MmeEmil via gettyimages.com

Sherbert

If feeling relaxed, happy, and giggly sounds like a good alternative to your current mood, you’ll want to hit up your nearest dispensary for the Sherbert strain. 

“This strain exhibits powerful, full-body effects that are elevated by a jolt of cerebral energy and carefree state of mind,” Leafly’s in-house strain reviewers say. Its 18% THC rate “makes it an ideal choice for medical marijuana patients seeking relief from symptoms associated with stress, tension and mood disorders.”

Twenty-seven percent of users told Leafly that it helped with their anxiety and depression, respectively, while a whopping 35% said it’s a good stress reliever.

Thin Mint

Thirty percent of Leafly’s users told the company that the Thin Mint strain aids their depression, while 35% said it is a good destresser and 26% said it helps with pain—that’s a medical trifecta. It’s also a trifecta in a different sense, as the strain itself is a cross between sativa Durban Poison, indica OG Kush, and hybrid strain GSC (“Girl Scout Cookie”).

“Uplifted,” “euphoric,” and “relaxed” were users’ three highest-ranked feelings.

Dosidos

If you think you’re noticing a food theme here when it comes to strain names, welcome to the world of cannabis! And let’s talk about eating. Of course, cannabis is famous for its “munchy” effects, but some strains are more potent than others when creating an appetite. 

And being that a lack of appetite can be a sign of depression, what better solution than a strain known for making people hungry? And when “sleepy” and “relaxed” are the other two highest-ranking feelings in the Leafly database, it must be time to grab yourself an eighth of Dosidos.

Skunkberry

No mood-altering list of cannabis strains would be complete without a skunk on it. Yes, the skunk strains are known for smelling like, well, a skunk. They’re also famous for their euphoric and simultaneously pain-relieving high. 

At Leafly’s database, “relaxed,” “euphoric,” and “happy” were the highest-ranked feelings for the Skunkberry strain. About a third of reviewers told the website that Skunkberry helps with pain, stress, and depression. 

The next time you’re feeling a bit down, you might find some relief in alleviating your depression symptoms with one of these top-rated strains.

Whether it’s relieving anxiety and depression or providing a better alternative to melatonin to combat insomnia, there’s no shortage of the physical and mental benefits provided by CBD. However, understanding the difference of CBD verses CBD with THC is something you should know.

As you’re perusing CBD products online or in brick and mortar stores, you may notice that some items contain various amounts of THC. Should you consider these options, and what are the pros and cons?

Let’s get down to brass tacks to give you an understanding of standalone CBD products versus CBD with THC options.

CBD: What You Need to Know

If you’re new to the world of cannabidiol, let’s quickly clear up some misconceptions. Unlike its THC counterpart, CBD is not a psychoactive agent providing a “high” sensation. It’s extracted from cannabis plants, often diluted with coconut or hemp seed oil, and can provide relief for everything from muscle soreness to cancer medication side effects.

Your dog can even take it.

In a nutshell, CBD “supports the natural neurotransmitter in our bodies. CBD binds to a receptor that triggers serotonin release leading to a reduction in stress and anxiousness, which balances moods.”

CBD is legal in the United States, so it’s perfectly kosher to have it shipped to your doorstep or purchased at major retailers like Whole Foods. You can even travel with it domestically.

The benefits of cannabidiol can’t be overstated, but what about CBD items possessing THC as well?

CBD with THC: What You Need to Know

CBD products with THC should be treated differently than CBD-only items.

Depending on how much THC is in each product, you could find yourself relatively “high,” euphoric, or sleepy, making the CBD-THC combo ideal for falling asleep or back to sleep.

It can also be an excellent way to unwind at the end of the day, similar to a glass of red wine (but without the unwanted calories and red teeth).

CBD with THC can also provide a one-two punch considering research has shown they both help with anxiety, nausea, and various types of pain and discomfort.

There are a few issues to keep in mind if you decide THC with CBD is right for you. Cannabinoids store in your body fat so that the THC can show up on potential drug tests, which could cost you your job depending on your state’s laws.   

You’ll also want to adhere to the cannabis maxim of “You can always have more, but you can never have less.” That is to say, start with a minimal amount versus eating a 50-milligram chocolate bar right out of the gate. Not sure how many milligrams to begin with? Consult your doctor, and dispensaries always have experts to assist you online, over the phone, and in the store.

Most importantly, it’s critical to check your state laws regarding THC products of any amount because what’s perfectly legal in one state could be highly illegal in another.

Considering the National Cancer Institute purports that approximately 1.8 million United States citizens will undergo a positive cancer diagnosis in 2020, it’s understandable that CBD and cancer are increasingly mentioned in the same breath.

Perhaps you’ve already replaced a few over-the-counter products for CBD varieties, but even if you haven’t, here are four ways CBD can help cancer patients to lead an optimum life despite the harmful prescription medications and treatments needed to defeat the second-deadliest illness in the US behind only heart disease.

1. Insomnia

You or a loved one don’t need a cancer diagnosis to understand how critical sleep is to recovery. If you’ve ever had the common flu or sprained ankle, a solid night’s deep slumber is uber essential.

It’s known in the medical community that cancer-related meds and treatments can cause horrible insomnia. That’s where CBD can be a godsend. It can alleviate sleep-disruptive factors like anxiety, depression, and pain, and can take effect as quickly as 15 minutes after consumption to give your body the respite it so badly craves.

Chemo and radiation are chock-full of terrible side effects, which include nausea and reduced appetite. Some research has shown that cannabinoids could ease neuropathic discomfort and nausea.

• Pain and inflammation relief

The relationship between CBD and cancer is just as intertwined as CBD and muscle recovery. The main difference between the latter and the former is why your muscles may be in a world of hurt on certain days.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Chemo and radiation are brutal on the human body, causing side effects like inflammation and often-intense physical pain.

Enter CBD products with the potential to help with everything from muscle inflammation and increase energy levels the following day because of the ability mentioned above to help with insomnia.

• Quality and confidence

With the legalization of THC and CBD products in California and scores of additional states, gone are the days of purchasing items from unregulated sources. Not only can you feel confident purchasing through established industry leaders, but many will deliver to your home, which is especially helpful if you’re too sick to leave home or if you’re out-of-town loved one wishes to send products directly to your doorstep.

From insomnia to inflammation to anxiety relief, there’s not much CBD do. One last benefit for CBD and cancer-related issues: Products are available in multiple shapes and sizes, including oils easily added to favorite foods and drinks, discrete edibles ideal for traveling within the United States, and soothing bath salts to provide the physical relief the body craves while fighting this terrible disease.

There is no country on Earth that has a history steeped in cannabis research like that of Israel. Furthermore, there is no government that is more supportive of medical marijuana research than Israel. Yet, the small country has by and large gone overlooked for what it has to offer as an investment opportunity. That is until recently.

“[Israel has] broken down the barriers,” said Darryl Jones, CEO of Isracann Biosciences (CSE: IPOT) (OTC: ISCNF), in a Q&A session with CFN Media. “It’s flown under the radar for a while, but a lot of people are starting to come around and realize that Israel is a cannabis hub.”

Isracann, the first pure-play cannabis firm in Israel to list in Canada and U.S., is 100% focused on building out its fully-funded, 230,000 square-foot facility in the southern part of Israel. Isracann is working directly with Israeli Ministries and collaborating with a team of top lawyers and consultants to move the project expeditiously forward while staying on side with all regulatory processes. The company recently expanded in cultivation capacity through a new joint venture west of Be’er Sheva, Israel.

Click Here To Receive Isracann’s Investor Presentation

Birthplace of Cannabis Research

Dr. Raphael Mechoulam has rightfully earned the nickname the “Father of Marijuana Research.” More than 50 years ago, the Israeli organic chemist was the first person ever to isolate cannabidiol (CBD, a non-intoxicating compound in cannabis) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis). In the 1990’s, Dr. Mechoulam discovered that cannabinoids occur endogenously throughout the human body, making up the endocannabinoid system along with specific receptors.

Cannabinoids like CBD and THC, amongst more than 100 others, are compounds found in cannabis that act on cannabinoid receptors throughout the body, including the brain, nervous system, organs and tissue, to control a host of functions, such as pain management, the immune system, appetite and mood.

At 89 years of age, Dr. Mechoulam is still active in the cannabis space as a professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel. His extensive body of work has earned him many awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award at CannMed in 2016.

It is because of Dr. Mechoulam and his collaborators that scientists today are in the best position ever to understand regulation of the endocannabinoid system and what it can do for next-generation, cannabis-based medicines.

No Place Like It

Israel would not have its rich cannabis history if it weren’t for a supportive government. As discussed by Jones in the interview, Israel is the only country in the world where an organization can hold and independent research license and conduct studies on marijuana.

On top of friendly regulators, Mother Nature has blessed Israel with nearly perfect conditions for growing cannabis. Israel has 300+ days of sunshine each year, high UV rays and temperature and humidity that are ideal for growing the plant.

To that end, the country is highly regarded for its talent pool in agriculture and extensive infrastructure supportive of the industry.

This results in high-quality, low cost cannabis production.

Click Here To Receive Isracann’s Investor Presentation

Earlier this year, Israeli lawmakers passed legislation to allow for cannabis exports. That puts the country in elite company along with only the Netherlands and Canada as countries were cannabis exports are legal. It is expected that the framework will be in place to commence shipments in 2020.

According to Jones, the new laws will ultimately lead to Israeli technology and cannabis breaking into the European Union, getting into the hands of people that need and can benefit from it. In addition to serving the growing domestic market in Israel, Isracann has its sights set on Germany, the largest economy in the E.U. and one that has an emerging medical marijuana market.

Not Without Challenges

Jones has watched the cannabis industry in Canada unfold over the last couple decades, which brings experience to the up-and-coming market. To that point, he sees similarities between Israel and where Canada was 4-5 years ago. One of the biggest challenges for any emerging market is educating doctors and patients as to why cannabis can provide a therapeutic benefit.

Israelis are by no means completely unfamiliar with cannabis. In fact, the country has one of the highest per capita user rates in the world.

Currently, there are about 45,000 Israeli patients, with another 10,000 on a waiting list. The cannabis patient population is growing 10-15% annually, says Jones, which makes for a very attractive market opportunity immediately.

Click Here To Receive Isracann’s Investor Presentation

To learn more about Isracann Biosciences Click Here

Disclaimer

CannabisFN.com is not an independent financial investment advisor or broker-dealer. You should always consult with your own independent legal, tax, and/or investment professionals before making any investment decisions. The information provided on https://www.cannabisfn.com(the ‘Site’) is either original financial news or paid advertisements drafted by our in-house team or provided by an affiliate. CannabisFN.com, a financial news media and marketing firm enters into media buys or service agreements with the companies that are the subject of the articles posted on the Site or other editorials for advertising such companies.  We are not an independent news media provider. We make no warranty or representation about the information including its completeness, accuracy, truthfulness or reliability and we disclaim, expressly and implicitly, all warranties of any kind, including whether the Information is complete, accurate, truthful, or reliable. As such, your use of the information is at your own risk. Nor do we undertake any obligation to update the items posted. CannabisFN.com received compensation for producing and presenting high quality and sophisticated content on CannabisFN.com along with financial and corporate news.

This article was published by CFN Enterprises Inc. (OTCQB: CNFN), owner and operator of CFN Media, the industry’s leading agency and digital financial media network dedicated to the burgeoning CBD and legal cannabis industries. Call +1 (833) 420-CNFN for more information.

About Ryan Allway

Mr. Allway has over a decade of experience in the financial markets as both a private investor and financial journalist. He has been actively involved in the cannabis industry since its inception, covering public and private companies.

Believe it or not, the world’s first blockbuster drug is still one of the most commonly used today. Acetylsalicylic acid, better known as Aspirin®, is a synthetic derivative of the natural substance salicylic acid, an extract from the bark of the white willow tree. Any company would like to invent a drug that enjoys 100+ years of massive global usage and the possibility exists that cannabis could play a role in making that happen for someone.

Charting a Similar Path

People have been using salicylic acid to treat inflammation and fevers for over 2,400 years.  That’s right, when Greek engineers invented the catapult about 400 B.C., they may have used salicylic acid to treat their achy joints after moving some heavy rocks into position. Later, chemist Charles Frédéric Gerhardt made a breakthrough in 1853 by creating acetylsalicylic acid for the first time.  By 1899, Bayer dialed-in the chemical structure and was selling Aspirin® to the world.

Hemp, a cousin to cannabis that lacks tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cannabinoid responsible for the psychoactive high in marijuana, is regarded as one of the world’s oldest industrial crops.  It’s history dates back more than 10,000 years.

About 8,000 years ago, cannabis seeds and oil were used for food in China, with the first documented use of medical cannabis happening by Chinese Emperor Shen Neng roughly 4,750 years ago.  Interestingly, the Chinese world for “anesthesia” (mázui 麻) translates to “cannabis intoxication” because it was used to sedate people (along with wine) before surgery.

Now that the ending of cannabis prohibition is sweeping the globe, there has been a huge upswing in laboratory and clinical research as biotechs and pharmas seek to bring new cannabis-based products to market.  Will one of these drugs become the next aspirin?

Massive Potential

In an interview with Bloomberg, Marc Feldmann, an immunologist who helped discover a class of drugs that includes the blockbusters Humira and Remicade, commented that there is “massive potential” for the medical uses related to cannabis. Dr. Feldman now has dedicated himself to the market opportunity, teaming with cannabis researcher legend Dr. Raphael Mechoulam to start Toronto-based CannBioRex Pharmaceuticals.

While most companies are looking to the cannabis plant for active ingredients, Dr. Feldmann believes that the key to a new class of drugs resides in synthetic cannabis.

Dr. Joseph Tucker, an experienced executive and expert in synthetic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and drug development and commercialization, shares the view of Dr. Feldmann insomuch that synthetic cannabis represents the future for purity and repeatability in cannabis-based drug development.  Dr. Tucker is the Executive Chair and Co-Founder of Willow Biosciences (CSE: WLLW)(OTC: CANSF) with the purpose of becoming the largest manufacturer of biosynthetically produced cannabinoids.

Click here to receive an investor deck and corporate updates

The synthetic biology company was formed this year through the merger of BIOCAN Technologies: a team of experienced executives from Calgary and researchers from the University of British Columbia, and Epimeron: a team of researchers from the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada.

“In addition to consistency and reproducibility, synthetic cannabis can be a much more cost-effective process than plant-based extraction or chemical synthesis, the only options that companies have today,” said Dr. Tucker in a phone interview with CFN Media. “Based on our estimates, biosynthetic production is about 90% faster and cheaper than plant-based extraction. We are of the opinion that synthetic processes will ultimately re-shape how cannabinoids are produced and open new gateways to advanced pharmaceutical opportunities to help people in medical need.”

Willow’s scientific progress is complemented by a team of experts in other areas of business, including CEO Trevor Peters. Peters has co-founded four startups in the last 15 years and been involved in corporate exits totaling more than $4 billion. He was most recently CFO at Caracal Energy, a London listed energy company which Glencore (OTCQX: GLNCY) bought in 2014 for $1.4 billion.

“We’ve got a great, well-rounded team at Willow Biosciences that can execute on our initiatives,” said Dr. Tucker. “There is a growing library of evidence to the effectiveness of cannabinoids.  This will provide tailwinds for drug companies to push hard to utilize cannabinoids in new therapeutics, which should have us well positioned to fill future demand.”

Click here to receive an investor deck and corporate updates

How Massive is Massive?

Clinically speaking, there are more than 300 cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoid-based treatment options currently in human trials for indications such as PTSD, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, schizophrenia and others. The APIs are being sourced from traditional methods, which keeps research on promising rarer cannabinoids out of reach.  In order to tap into this market, an economically viable production method, like synthesis, is necessary.

Historic sales of cannabis-related drugs have been splotchy at best. The market for Marinol (dronabinol), a synthetic pill based on tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and approved in 1998 for treating nausea and vomiting in cancer patients and anorexia in AIDS patients, was about $150 million in 2016.

On the other hand, analysts are higher on new drugs.  Evaluate Pharma forecasts that Epidiolex, the novel CBD drug of GW Pharma (NASDAQ: GWPH) approved last year by the FDA for treating two rare forms of childhood epilepsy, will reach blockbuster status with sales topping $1 billion in 2021.

More broadly, the U.S. cannabinoid-based pharmaceuticals market size is projected to grow to $50 billion annually by 2029, according to Ackrell Capital’s 2018 Cannabis Investment Report.  Analysts at Cowen predict that U.S. retail sales of CBD will reach $16 billion by 2025.

Willow Biosciences plan is to be a leading player catering to both markets.  In order to achieve this goal, Willow last month partnered with Noramco, the largest supplier of controlled substance APIs in the U.S. and biggest producer of pharmaceutical APIs in the world. Specifically, the two will work collaboratively to develop a yeast-based biosynthesis platform for the production and distribution of CBD.

Noramco is stepping up to tap into this burgeoning market. Per the accord, Willow will take care of expenses related to optimizing the yeast strains and Noramco will take it from there.  Noramco will cover the costs for scale-up, regulatory submission, marketing and distribution through its extensive global network.

The beauty of the deal for a small company like Willow Biosciences is that both partners will share equally in the profits.

Click here to receive an investor deck and corporate updates

Disclaimer

The above article is sponsored content. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CannabisFN.com and CFN Media, has been hired to create awareness. Please follow the link below to view our full disclosure outlining our compensation: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/

About Ryan Allway

Mr. Allway has over a decade of experience in the financial markets as both a private investor and financial journalist. He has been actively involved in the cannabis industry since its inception, covering public and private companies.

The Canadian cannabis market is maturing, and savvy investors are looking south for new opportunities. While there are a growing number of multi-state operators, there are only a handful that combine financial and operational expertise — and even fewer with management teams that have a meaningful stake in the business. Investors may want to look towards these companies for the best growth potential and aligned incentives.

Jushi Holdings Inc. (NEO: JUSH.B) was founded by a former Vice Chairman of Deutsche Bank, a distressed equity hedge fund team and the Founder and former CEO of Organigram Holdings Inc. (CSE: OGI). With more than $20 million of their own capital invested in the business, the team is uniquely qualified to capitalize on the nascent U.S. cannabis industry with incentives that are well-aligned with their shareholders.

CFN Media recently sat down with President Erich Mauff in-studio to discuss the company’s unique approach to the market and what sets it apart from other emerging MSOs.

Click here to receive an investor deck and corporate updates

[embedded content]

Perfect Blend of Expertise

Jushi was founded a year and a half ago with four initial founders. Erich Mauff, a former Vice Chairman of Deutsche Bank, teamed up with Jim Cacioppo and Jon Barack, who ran a distressed equity hedge fund focusing on private and public cannabis investments. They were early investors in Dennis Arsenault’s Organigram Holdings, which has become one of the preeminent Canadian licensed producers; and brought on Arsenault to the team as the fourth co-founder.

After they began investing in the U.S. market four years ago, the team recognized the legalization trend at the state level in the U.S. market and the public support of some form of legalization. They decided to create their own business in the United States after investing in a number of smaller companies since they possessed the skill sets, management team, capital and desire to succeed.

In his exclusive interview with CFN Media, President Eric Mauff pointed out that there are many similarities between the finance and cannabis industries. They are both highly regulated businesses that require access to capital and a strong background in compliance. The only missing link on the team was operations — and they filled the link with the acquisition of intellectual property of The Clinic Consulting Services, The Bank and The Lab and its award-winning operations team including bringing Max Cohen into the C-Suite.

Click here to receive an investor deck and corporate updates

What Sets Jushi Apart?

Jushi has created a well-rounded management team with expertise in finance and operations, which sets it apart from many companies that only have expertise in one of those areas. In addition, the company’s management team is well-aligned with shareholders with about $20 million of their own capital invested in the company. These aligned incentives promote prudent capital expenditures and a focus on generating a high return on investment.

With the acquisition of assets including trademarks and intellectual property from The Clinic Consulting Services, The Bank and The Lab as well as Max Cohen and several key high-profile members of his team, the company gained access to a team of expert operators who will build best-in-class cultivation, processing, retail processes and facilities. The team is also experienced with acquiring competitive licenses that could help the company enter new and exciting markets. Max Cohen, Founder and CEO of The Clinic, is also a founding member and current board treasurer of the Marijuana Industry Group, and former member of the board of directors for the National Cannabis Industry Organization, a national marijuana lobbying and policy organization.

The company’s cannabis footprint is augmented with an interest in hemp-based CBD products. In May, the company announced the opening of the first retail location of its Sound Wellness Holdings subsidiary, SW Retail Stores LLC, doing business as Mend. The full-spectrum CBD store is located in Amherst, NY and provides customers with tinctures, soft gel capsules, topical lotions and other CBD-hemp-derived wellness products.

Click here to receive an investor deck and corporate updates

Looking Ahead

Jushi Holdings Inc. (NEO: JUSH.B) has built an impressive management team to capitalize on the nascent U.S. cannabis industry. With aligned incentives and return on capital a core focus, investors may want to keep an eye on further developments as the company executes its vision of becoming a bold, new, principled leader in the cannabis and hemp industry.

Disclaimer

The above article is sponsored content. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CannabisFN.com and CFN Media, has been hired to create awareness. Please follow the link below to view our full disclosure outlining our compensation:http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/

About Ryan Allway

Mr. Allway has over a decade of experience in the financial markets as both a private investor and financial journalist. He has been actively involved in the cannabis industry since its inception, covering public and private companies.

Marcus Lemonis, the iconic entrepreneurial Profit, is famously known for building successful businesses under the mantra of “people, process and product.” If there is a company employing the “3 P’s” recipe in the cannabis space, it’s STWC Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: STWC), or Strainwise Consulting as it is often called, a company steeped with experience building a suite of services that shepherd success for its clients.

When it comes right down to it, Strainwise could add two more P’s: partners and profits. As explained by Matt Willer, President of Strainwise, in an interview with CFN Media’s Nova Gaver, the company takes its work and the success of its clients very personally.  

If you are unable to View the Executive Video Interview Click this Link.

“Ultimately, we’re a partner in each of these entities, whether that’s formally or informally. We look at them as an extension of our business,” said Willer, adding, “Success is measured by our client’s bottom line. We’re feeling that we had a successful engagement or partnership when we’re improving someone’s business and obviously that is largely displayed by profit and loss.”

Strainwise’s diverse business model means the company could provide services for cash or equity (or a combination of both) or even make an investment in the client/partner if the opportunity is ripe.

The People

Strainwise’s roots go as deep into the legal cannabis industry as anyone. Co-founder and CEO Erin Phillips has the distinction of securing the first ever recreational marijuana license in the United States, that for a Strainwise branded dispensary. With Erin spearheading the consulting and regulatory end of business, husband and co-founder Shawn Phillips took care of operations, with the duo growing from a single dispensary and 4,000 square feet of production capacity in 2010 to nine retail shops in Colorado, more than three dozen licenses and 90,000 square feet of cultivation space.

Click Here to Receive Additional Investor Information

The Phillips are the type of people that when licenses to expand grow operations were unexpectedly delayed by Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division resulted in employees needing to be temporarily laid off, the couple worked to place their staffers with other companies in the industry so they didn’t have to go without work. It’s is this personal and deeply-experienced approach that Strainwise leadership brings to its partners that differentiates it from competitors.

Willer who was promoted to the position of President at Strainwise in February, is relatively new to the cannabis industry, but brings a wealth of knowledge of the capital markets to the company underscored by two decades of serving on boards and executive positions at public companies.

During his time as the former President and Director at Assure Holdings (TSX-V: IOM), Willer took the company public and was instrumental in a four-fold increase in market capitalization in 12 months. Willer also served as President of the U.S. division of Xylitol Canada, which experience 10x revenue growth under his tutelage.

There is something to be said for sticking to what you do best and letting others do what they do best in building a company. Willer can see the synergies, in particular the skill set each person at Strainwise possesses as advantageous to growth.

“[The Phillips] learned from the school of hard knocks. They started a business; They grew it; They went through the challenges like any business owner would. Through those years of experience, we’re able to translate that into a more efficient roadmap for our clients,” said Willer in the interview.

“The challenge that we have in the capital market is not specific to any one industry and the challenges that are dealt with at the operational level are really a shot into Erin’s domain. By allowing them to focus on helping our clients and grow the operational piece, it relieves them from the responsibilities that are more in my domain,” he added.

The Process

The process, as the Phillips found out with decision timelines for regulators being a moving target, can be the greatest challenge to any company in the cannabis space. The simple fact that the emerging industry is still so nascent inherently means that changes are incessant.

“It’s constantly trying to understand what is happening at the local, state or even federal level, which often times falls into compliance and legal issues, etc.,” said Willer. “In that murky environment, you still have to be able to run a business. What we’re trying to do is alleviate that stress of all these moving parts; let them know that they’re partnered with someone that can look after their best efforts and monitor all these dynamic movements,” he continued.

Click Here to Receive Additional Investor Information

As an example, Willer noted a company in Oklahoma City that came to Strainwise in its infancy. Strainwise led the new partner from concept to fruition, advising them through the licensing procedure to building-out their first dispensary and successful launch of the business.

The Product

For Strainwise, the lines between process and product can be somewhat blurred. There is, of course, the company’s own products. At the same time that it broadens the STWC footprint in its home state, as well as Oklahoma, into the massive California markets and down into Puerto Rico, the company is growing horizontally too.

“Growth is not just more dispensary partners or more cultivation partners,” Willer explained.

Strainwise is executing on a broad strategy to build a robust ecosystem providing products and services that will augment legacy consulting revenue and allow partners to save on capex by working directly with Strainwise.  

For instance, the company in April launched a new packaging division offering customizable and compliant cannabis product packaging options to its clients. Elsewhere, Strainwise partnered with Dana Ress of Denver’s RedPoint Solutions on a joint venture for the purpose of developing a software solution called Supergrower. The customizable software is designed to address the complexities of operating in the legal marijuana space, with functionality across all four cannabis verticals: cultivation, manufacturing, distribution and retail. The JV is targeting July for Supergrower, giving investors something to look forward to in the near term.

Back to the People

In closing, Willer circled right back to the people as clear differentiators setting Strainwise apart from others in the cannabis business. The Phillips as bona fide industry pioneers speaks for itself in building the brand that is starting to gain momentum.  

Willer succinctly summarized the importance of the team, offering, “The people are really what drives this business. I think that as an extension of that – and that our partners would say – that you can trust us like a partner. We do what we say on time and on budget. I’d say 95 percent of our business comes by way of referral, which I think is a testimony to the caliber of people that we have in the organization.”

Click Here to Receive Additional Investor Information

For More Information on  STWC Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: STWC) please visit the Company’s website: http://www.strainwiseconsulting.com

Disclaimer

The above article is sponsored content. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CannabisFN.com and CFN Media, has been hired to create awareness. Please follow the link below to view our full disclosure outlining our compensation: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer

About Ash Stringer

“We are extremely fortunate to have assembled this world-renowned group of leading researchers and clinicians in the field of neuro-oncology,” said Dr. Patrick Gray, CEO of Pascal. “Their knowledge and insights will guide our PAS-403 program for the treatment of glioblastoma. Only three treatments have been approved in the last 30 years for glioblastoma. After reviewing our data, our CAB has strongly encouraged us to proceed with PAS-403 clinical trials to make advancements for this devastating disease.”

Members of the clinical advisory board include:

• Chair: Dr. Darell Bigner – E.L. and Lucille F. Jones Cancer Research Professor, Duke University School of Medicine

  Dr. Bigner is founding Director of the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center. His research has involved the investigation of the causes, mechanism of transformation, altered growth control, and development of new methods of therapy for primary brain tumors and those metastasizing to the brain. Dr. Bigner has over 600 scientific publications and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Neuro-Oncology in 2014.

• Dr. Mitchell Berger – Professor and Chair, Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco

  Dr. Berger is an internationally recognized expert in treating brain and spinal cord tumors in adults and children. He is co-director of the Adult Brain Tumor Surgery Program, director of the Brain Tumor Research Center and director of the Center for Neurological Injury and Repair. Dr. Berger is a past-president of the Society for Neuro-Oncology (1997-1999), has received the Victor Levin Award in Neuro-oncology Research from the Society of Neuro-Oncology in 2015, was named on the Blue Ribbon Panel of scientific experts for the National Cancer Moonshot Initiative, and has also served as president of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

• Dr. Timothy Cloughesy – Professor of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles

  Dr. Cloughesy is Director of the UCLA Neuro-Oncology program. Dr. Cloughesy’s research focuses on clinical trials in brain cancer using targeted molecular therapies with novel clinical trial design. He has developed a brain cancer bioinformatics database which combines clinical outcomes, imaging and molecular analysis to enhance translational research. For more than a decade, he has been recognized as both a Top Doctor and Top Doctor for Cancer by U.S. News.

• Dr. Patrick Wen – Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School

  Dr. Wen is Director of the Center for Neuro-Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Research Institute and Director of the Division of Cancer Neurology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Wen’s research is focused on novel treatments of brain tumors, especially targeted molecular agents, and optimizing response assessment and clinical trial endpoints in neuro-oncology. He currently serves as President of the Society of Neuro-Oncology, the premier North American organization for health care professionals focusing on central nervous system tumors in children and adults.

• Dr. Andrew Sloan – Professor, Departments of Neurological Surgery and of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University

  Dr. Sloan serves as Director of the Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center at the Seidman Cancer Center and is also Vice Chairman of Neurosurgery at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. His clinical and research interests focus on the biology and treatment of tumors of the brain and spine. He has been recognized by his peers as one of the “Best Doctors in America” since 2003, and as one of the “Top Surgeons in America” since 2007. In 2014, he was elected President of the Ohio State Neurosurgical Society.

Pascal has demonstrated that PAS-403 is active against human glioblastoma cells in cell culture, accumulates in the brain, has a good safety profile, and displays striking synergy with standard of care in an animal model of glioblastoma. With input from our CAB, a clinical plan is being developed for testing PAS-403 in glioblastoma patients.

About Pascal Biosciences Inc.

Pascal is a biotechnology company focused on advancing innovative approaches for the treatment of cancer including cannabinoid-based therapeutics and targeted therapies. The Company’s leading portfolio comprises a small molecule therapeutic, PAS-403, that is advancing into clinical trials for the treatment of glioblastoma, and PAS-393, an immuno-stimulatory cannabinoid to be used in combination with checkpoint inhibitor therapy. In addition, Pascal is developing a B-cell targeted antibody for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. For more information, visit www.pascalbiosciences.com.

Investors:
[email protected]

Media Contact:
Julie Rathbun

[email protected]
Tel: 206-769-9219

DISCLAIMER
Certain statements in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation that may not be based on historical fact, including without limitation statements containing the words “believe”, “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect” and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, events or developments, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, events or developments express or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such factors include, among others, our stage of development, lack of any product revenues, additional capital requirements, risk associated with the completion of clinical trials and obtaining regulatory approval to market our products, the ability to protect our intellectual property, dependence on collaborative partners and the prospects for negotiating additional corporate collaborations or licensing arrangements and their timing. Specifically, certain risks and uncertainties that could cause such actual events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from any future events or results expressed or implied by such statements and information include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties that: products that we develop may not succeed in preclinical or clinical trials, or future products in our targeted corporate objectives; our future operating results are uncertain and likely to fluctuate; we may not be able to raise additional capital; we may not be successful in establishing additional corporate collaborations or licensing arrangements; we may not be able to establish marketing and the costs of launching our products may be greater than anticipated; we have no experience in commercial manufacturing; we may face unknown risks related to intellectual property matters; we face increased competition from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; and other factors as described in detail in our filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedar.com. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements and information, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. All forward-looking statements and information made herein are based on our current expectations and we undertake no obligation to revise or update such forward- looking statements and information to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law.

“Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release”.