Cannabidiol, or CBD, and other cannabinoids are oil-based compounds. The human body is a water-based environment. To get the CBD where it needs to go, an emulsion of oil- and water-based ingredients has to be made. Emulsions can be achieved chemically or physically, and each approach has its downside. Most physical emulsions tend to separate over time (in minutes, days, even weeks) like the Italian dressing you vigorously shake before putting it on your salad. Many of the chemicals commonly used for emulsification are perhaps not the best things to put into your body.

In answer to this dilemma, one innovative laboratory equipment company has developed a revolutionary solution that provides very stable and clean nanoemulsions that can be used to effectively deliver oil-based ingredients into the water-based world of human and animal bodies. Pressure BioSciences, Inc. (OTCQB: PBIO) is currently offering its patented Ultra Shear Technology (UST) through an early access program, with the full product launch expected later this month. UST utilizes very high pressure (several times the pressure at the bottom of the Marianas Trench) to shear oil drops containing the active ingredients (nutraceuticals, vitamins, supplements, pharmaceuticals) to nano-sized droplets, enabling these important ingredients to be absorbed by the body far faster and more efficiently than previously practical or possible.

How Oil and Water Emulsions Are Made (CBD Oil Used as an Example)

PBIO’s UST platform is a bit of a mix of the two main approaches to emulsification – physical and chemical – with major improvements to both. Physically, the oil drops used to transport the active ingredient (e.g., CBD) are sheared down into much smaller individual droplets than most if not all currently available processes. The company is shearing CBD oil into droplets measured in nanometers. A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter, so small it’s really hard to comprehend. A sheet of paper is 100,000 nanometers thick. There are 25,400,000 nanometers in one inch. PBIO’s goal is to reduce the size of the UST-processed nano oil droplets (of which there could be billions) – regardless of the active ingredient contained in the oil – to under 100 nanometers each (smaller than bacteria).

The UST platform does this by using super-high pressure (in the neighborhood of 45,000 psi) to push the CBD oil and water mixture through its patented Nano Gap Valve. The combination of high pressure and the intense shear that happens as the mixture goes through the incredibly small valve opening shears the CBD oil/water emulsion to a microscopic level. The resulting nanodroplets of oil are so small (under 100 nanometers) they become a very long-term stable, “effectively water soluble”, and highly bioavailable nanoemulsion capable of extremely efficient delivery of CBD throughout the body. 

While most competitors make their nanoemulsions using chemicals with names that are difficult to pronounce, the patented UST process is so effective at shearing the CBD oil to nanodroplet sizes that PBIO can use very small amounts of all natural, plant-based additives in its formulations. This is a major improvement over the common practice of adding chemical emulsifiers like glycerol monostearate, silicone, sodium isethionate, polysorbate, and other substances to products that are supposed to be good for you. Many of these common emulsifiers are based on petrochemicals, some create toxic byproducts, and most are a far cry from ‘natural’ as most people understand the word.

In the images below, taken from PBIO’s investor presentation, you can see the clarity and stability achieved by using the UST platform when compared to a competitor’s conventionally processed emulsion. These conventional emulsions are almost never nanoemulsions, and the difference is startling.

Commercialization Underway

Pressure BioSciences has a long history in the laboratory instrument and equipment industry, and it has hundreds of instruments in many of the most respected labs around the world. These instruments use the company’s Pressure Cycling Technology (or PCT) platform, not UST. The primary areas of focus of these PCT instruments have been in drug discovery and development, biomarker discovery, and forensic science. The company’s PCT platform has been used for years in the development of new drugs, diagnostics, and treatment options for multiple important areas of human disease and disabilities, such as cancer and infectious diseases. 

PBIO’s experience in developing, selling, and servicing hundreds of PCT instruments worldwide offers confidence that the company has the ability to do the same for its new, about to be commercially launched, UST platform, the BaroShear K45 System. The BaroShear K45 is capable of producing many liters of nanoemulsified oil (CBD or other) per minute. Initial target markets include nutraceuticals (e.g., CBD), vitamins (e.g., D3), anti-oxidants (e.g., astaxanthin), supplements (e.g., curcumin) and cosmetics products (e.g., containing retinol).

PBIO is slated to open two fee-for-service, GMP-compliant tolling centers capable of handling larger volumes for contract partners. One center is scheduled to open later this month at the company’s headquarters in Massachusetts; the other will be opening in a few months in southern California. Because the BaroShear K45 is capable of more production than the initial benchtop small capacity systems used to prove the UST process, these new locations will be able to produce nanoemulsions on a much larger, commercial scale.

Due to increased customer demand ahead of the facility openings, the company created an Early Access Program in May 2022 designed to get the ball rolling with some early adopters. The idea has taken hold, and the company has announced three deals with CBD products companies. One is for an oral CBD spray, another for a topical CBD spray, and a third for nano-CBD bulk product that can be further formulated into other products on a white label basis. Each of these contracts is projected to create $1 million+ in 2023 revenue for PBIO, with more potential in the future depending on the success of the products. The company has also specifically been generating strong interest with cannabis drink manufacturers, a high growth area to keep an eye on.

Pressure BioSciences is expecting to announce more CBD/cannabis deals in the near term and is simultaneously addressing other industries as well. The company recently announced a major deal with Dr. Denese SkinScience, a pioneer in the anti-aging skincare industry that averages around $20 million/year in sales. It’s an initial two-year R&D deal, with some existing products anticipated to utilize UST processing while other products are under development. There are plenty of other target markets for the technology beyond cannabinoids and cosmetics as well, including food and beverage, inks and paints, agrochemicals, health and wellness, and pharmaceuticals.  Basically, if the active ingredient is in oil, PBIO believes it can nanoemulsify it, which would then significantly increase its stability, effective water solubility, and of course bioavailability.

For now, know that UST represents a true breakthrough technology, providing CBD and other cannabinoid products that offer superior quality, long-term stability, effective water solubility, and best-in-class bioavailability. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Pressure BioSciences directly to find out more about the technology’s capabilities and the company’s Early Access Program. Investors are encouraged to keep an eye on Pressure BioSciences (OTCQB: PBIO) as commercialization in several target markets proceeds and revenues hit the books.

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 Robin Lefferts

Robin Lefferts has been involved in the legal cannabis industry since 2012, sometimes as an active participant and always as an interested observer.

Superfoods refer to nutrient-rich foods that convey positive health benefits. While catechin-rich green tea, fisetin-rich strawberries, and omega-3-rich walnuts are well-known superfoods, coca leaves remain relatively undiscovered due to their association with cocaine. But fortunately, decocainized coca leaves open the door to new possibilities.

Let’s take a deep dive into the nutritional benefits of coca leaves and how you can invest in one of the only companies bringing them to market.

What’s in Coca Leaves?

Coca leaves have been used for centuries as a natural herbal remedy for upset stomach, environmental stress, weight loss, and energy. In fact, indigenous cultures across South America still consume raw coca leaves regularly to achieve these health benefits. However, importing raw coca leaves into the U.S. is illegal due to their cocaine content.

Power Leaves Corp. plans to use state-of-the-art extraction technologies to decocainize coca leaves and bring premium extracts to the U.S. market. These extracts will provide the enormous potential health benefits of coca leaves to energy drinks, protein bars, and other convenient product formats for athletes and health-conscious individuals.

Coca leaves have four core benefits:

• High Protein – Coca leaf extract has 72% more protein than average plant-based foods, according to a Harvard analysis of protein requirements, with 19 grams of protein per 100 grams of extract. In other words, consumers can meet one-third of their protein intake requirements with just 100 grams of coca extract.
• Polyphenols – Coca leaf extract has three grams of polyphenols per 100 grams of extract, which is three times greater than what most consumers take in each day. In addition, unique processes could improve bioavailability compared to other sources, according to the company’s literature.
• Low GI Carbs – Coca leaf extract provides 44 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams of extract but has a low glycemic index to maintain ideal blood sugar levels.
• High Calorie/ Fuel – Coca leaf extract provides over 300 calories per 100 grams, translating to 10% more calorie content than other plant-based foods. However, these calories stem mainly from protein and low-GI carbohydrates, making them “healthier” calories.

Coca leaves also provide other nutrients:

* Data from a company-provided nutritional analysis. Daily values from MyPlate.gov.

A Potential Game-Changer

The functional food and beverage market will grow from $258.8 billion in 2020 to nearly $530 billion by 2028, according to Fortune Business Insights, representing a 9.5% compound annual growth rate. Consumers are increasingly seeking nutrient-enhanced foods to improve their health while new product development is supercharging growth.

Coca could follow in the footsteps of hemp – another superfood held back by prohibition in the past. According to IMARC, the global hemp-based food market exceeded $1 billion in 2021 and could reach nearly $3 billion by 2025, representing a 15.52% compound annual growth rate. That’s about 50% faster than the broader functional food market.

Coca leaf extract is well-suited for the functional food and beverage industry, given its nutritional profile. In particular, it provides a high-protein, high-calorie, low-fat, and low-GI food source for the fitness community, along with antioxidants and essential micronutrients that may appeal to those seeking a healthier overall diet.

Investing in the Coca Market

Power Leaves Corp. is the first and only private commercial business to sign a government-approved 15-year exclusive license to extract, manufacture, and distribute decocainized coca-based products in the United States. The company achieved this status through its partnership with an indigenous group with a UN exemption.

The company plans to initially provide bulk extract to food and beverage customers across the U.S. Soon after, it plans to launch its organic and liquid biofertilizer products along with a coca-infused energy drink and tequila. These markets garner hundreds of billions of dollars in annual sales, translating to a significant opportunity for investors.

While it plans to list on the NASDAQ over the next nine to 12 months, investors can participate in a private placement of up to 22,222,222 units consisting of one common share and one-half share purchase warrants (for one common share at US$0.60 for 24 months). For more information, email [email protected] or sign up using the form below.

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.

The North American cannabis industry has struggled over the past couple of years, but fundamentals are improving and valuations are becoming attractive. As North America continues to grapple with excess supply issues, challenging margins and regulations, investors are starting to turn their attention toward European markets that are in the early innings of adoption and poised for hyper growth opportunities.

In this article, we’ll take a look at how to invest in Europe’s next cannabis leader, Franchise Global Health (TSX-V: FGH). 

Europe is a Cash Cow Business

North America represents more than 95% of the $16.5 billion global legal cannabis market, according to Statista, but Europe offers far superior margins and significant long-term growth potential. As a result, companies operating in Europe could experience better economics than the saturated North American markets, as well as more long-term growth potential.

Currently, the average retail price of medical cannabis in Germany is almost 2-3x higher than major North American markets currently standing at C$30 per gram in Germany compared to C$13 in the U.S. and C$10 in Canada. Moreover, the German government fully reimburses 62% of medical cannabis patients through insurance schemes.

Germany’s move to legalize recreational cannabis over the coming quarters could pave the way for other European countries to do the same. With a larger population than the U.S. and Canada combined, Europe could become one of the fastest growing and largest cannabis markets in the world over the coming years as these trends unfold.

According to the Brightfield Group, Europe’s cannabis industry could reach $4 billion by 2025, nearing the $4.4 billion in sales in California—the largest single market in the world. And Germany alone could become a $1.2+ billion market over the same timeframe. These are significant numbers that investors cannot afford to ignore.

Leverage First-Mover Advantage

Franchise Global Health (TSX-V: FGH) has a clear first-mover advantage in Europe having received the very first import and distribution license in Germany, Franchise sold the first gram of medical cannabis in the country and is now selling to over 1,200 pharmacies. Strong relationships have been forged with this large network, which is critically important and a remarkable feat given the highly fragmented nature of the market. 

In addition to their impressive retail network, Franchise is also selling over 700 skus of various pharmaceutical products to their mass pharma distribution networks which spans across 18 countries in the EU. This vast retail and wholesale operational footprint provides another competitive advantage to Franchise as they are favorably positioned to move quickly to capitalize on opportunities as market dynamics and regulations continue to progress.

The company has also secured 500,000 sq ft of reserved cultivation capacity and 30,000 sq ft of processing capacity at an EU GMP facility. This supply capacity could meet the demands of the growing European market and other global markets that are looking for consistent supplies of high quality EU GMP certified cannabis. These facilities are scalable up to 65,000 kilograms per year, which could also pave the way for significant revenue as European countries begin to explore and adopt recreational cannabis programs over the coming years.

Looking Ahead

Franchise Global Health (TSX-V: FGH) represents a compelling opportunity to invest in Europe’s next cannabis leader. In addition to its operational progress, its experienced management team has been a strong steward of capital, raising over $56 million in private equity to date, without any dilutive warrants affecting shareholders. This capital markets experience and expertise from Franchise’s leadership team will serve them well as strategic accretive M&A paired with organic growth are key pillars of their plan to continue to build long-term shareholder value.

The company also trades at an attractive valuation compared to its Canadian peers, including Tilray, Canopy Growth, Aurora, and others. For example, its CY22E TEV/Revenue multiple stands at just 2.0x, compared to 4.3x for its peer group. And its CY23E TEV/EBITDA multiple is projected at 18.3x versus a 29x peer average. Investors may want to pay close attention as the company works towards taking a foothold in Europe.

Disclaimer

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

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.

Hero Technologies Inc. (OTC: HENC) is focused on building a vertically integrated cannabis operation in Michigan that will expand to become a multi-state operation. The company is currently in the midst of the licensing process in Michigan. In anticipation of receiving the appropriate licenses, Hero has been laying the groundwork for construction of a large cultivation facility on a 120 acre site in Pulaski, Michigan.

The operation is based on cutting edge technologies aimed at maximizing crop yield and quality while minimizing cost and waste. Hero’s majority-owned subsidiary, Blackbox Systems and Technologies, is leading the effort in Michigan and the Blackbox aeroponic cultivation system lies at the heart of the company’s strategy.

CFN sat down with Blackbox CEO and Founder Marc Kasabasic to discuss the company’s technology, the sustainable and efficient design of the facility, and Hero’s strategy to start in Michigan and branch out from there.

• What is your background and what inspired you to create Blackbox?

My background is in Engineering and Architecture, specializing in large-scale structural infrastructure testing. I have a BSCE in Civil Engineering and a BSARCH in Architecture. I then got my MSCE in Structural Engineering at Lawrence Technological University (LTU) in Southfield MI. I am currently a research project engineer at LTU in the Center for Innovation Material Research (CIMR) specializing in large-scale testing. I am responsible for 22,000 square feet of high-tech testing facilities. I have a strong background in environmental and industrial control systems. I was a carpenter for years during high-school and college years, so not only do I like to test things, I like to build them as well.

Click here to learn more about investing in Hero Technologies

In 2010, Michigan opened up for medial cannabis and my partner Hank Pielack and I co-founded the Blackbox Project. We started this as a hobby, but quickly grew into a high-tech research project to solve some industry problems. We wanted a system that was the most precise delivery system for plants. This system needed to solve the structural component issue with aeroponic systems to allow large-growing plants to thrive in an artificial environment.

We recognized a number of industry problems, including excess waste, use of pesticides, and an excessive amount of labor force required to perform simple daily tasks. The aeroponic system reduces the amount of labor needed to operate the system, thus reducing the labor staff.

Hank and I personally use the cannabis plant and would promote our clean, sustainable, and earth friendly product over any other system on the market.

• Please explain to our audience what the Blackbox aeroponics growing method is, what makes it unique, and how it is a benefit to the overall operation.

Our Blackbox system has really evolved over the past 12 years of tinkering with and improving the design. We’ve been honing the system to provide the most precise and beneficial mix of nutrients, air, and water simultaneously. In general, aeroponics technologies have come a long way, and we have customized what’s available to fit our own concepts.

The Blackbox system allows the plants to grow in air, using zero media. This in turn results in sustainable, efficient, and economic practices by eliminating a raw material. Also, by not using a media, pesticides are also eliminated due to the sterile growing environment. The system is a closed-loop system, meaning the water used is recaptured, reconditioned and sent back to the plants. BlackBox is modular for any scaled project, from acres of plants down to homegrown setups.

• What is a sun chamber, and how does it differ from a greenhouse? What are the benefits?

The Ceres SunChamber is more than a greenhouse. It is a holistic system – a completely sealed grow environment characterized by its light and warmth harvesting and climate control capabilities. It is an all inclusive design of the perfect growing environment for all components needed A-Z.

The combination of a glass ceiling that allows high light-transmittance with insulated metal walls ensure energy efficiency and maximum climate control over the growing environment. Sealed cannabis greenhouses also increase biosecurity and do not allow odors to escape or leak out. SunChambers are high-performance sealed greenhouse systems that maintain the Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) required to cultivate superior cannabis plants.

Cooling and heating a cannabis greenhouse can often be expensive. Blackbox leverages the technology of the Ceres EcoLoop geothermal HVAC system, a renewable energy source that utilizes the earth’s steady temperature to create precise, desired climates in each of the SunChambers.

The SunChambers also allow smaller batches of up to 500 plants at a time. Biosecurity is maintained by isolation of each SunChamber if any problems were to happen in the facility. Large open greenhouses are susceptible to infestation, wiping out the entire crop if left un-checked.

• How does your grow technology support sustainability?

Ceres SunChambers are 7 times more efficient than an indoor cultivation operation, and 3.5 times more efficient than standard greenhouses. So energy use is greatly decreased. Then the Blackbox aeroponics systems adds another layer of sustainability. Zero media waste, zero pesticides, ultra-low precise water usage… it all adds up to the most sustainable, lowest impact, most efficient design we can implement.

• Why did you choose to begin your multi-state strategy in Michigan, and what is the status of your license application there?

Michigan is the home of both of the Blackbox founders. Hank and I grew up in Dunham Hills in Hartland, Michigan. We have deep-rooted family and business ties in the construction trades throughout the region. We love it here, so why wouldn’t we start our business here?

But Michigan has a number of other things going for it as well. It is one of the largest and fastest growing legal cannabis markets in the country. The regulatory environment is very friendly to a business like ours. The Michigan Regulatory Agency (MRA) does a great job shepherding the industry in the state. And centrally-located Michigan would be an ideal spot for a national distribution operation should the US government make cannabis federally legal.

Click here to learn more about investing in Hero Technologies

Blackbox and Hero Technologies have completed and been approved by MRA through step 1 (of a 2-step process) for both recreational and medial cannabis operations. We have also completed application and been approved by the local Pulaski Township Board for 3 Class-C Medical cannabis cultivation licenses.

• Why is Pulaski a good location for your operations?

Pulaski is located in south/central Michigan and can service the entire state of Michigan with ease. Also, Pulaski Township has placed a cap on any new medical cannabis licenses which limits local competition. Add in the ideal location for a national distribution center and we really like where we are.

• Is there anything else you would like to share with potential investors?

Stick with us if you know our story, and join in if you are finding out about us for the first time! We are very excited to get the project off the ground and realize the fruits of our 12 years of research and development.

Disclaimer

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

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 Robin Lefferts

Robin Lefferts has been involved in the legal cannabis industry since 2012, sometimes as an active participant and always as an interested observer.

In the cannabis industry there are several business models that may make sense, depending on a company’s capabilities, people, and markets. There are wholesalers, distributors, retailers, propagators, brand houses, laboratories, multi-state operators … the list goes on. If a company puts all the right pieces together, a vertically integrated model could make sense to keep as much of the money and as many of the variables as possible in house.

Pharmagreen Biotech, Inc. (OTCQB: PHBI) is an early-stage company that believes in the vertical integration model and has many of the pieces already in place to launch a comprehensive cannabis company in the lucrative California market. Here we’ll take a look at Pharmagreen’s ingredients and the company’s step-by-step recipe to create a major player in the industry.

What Pharmagreen Has

Pharmagreen was founded around a proprietary tissue culture process known as Chibafreen. The traditional process of tissue-culturing plants encompasses four steps: 1) Initiation, 2) Multiplication, 3) Rooting, and 4) Hardening. Pharmagreen’s COO, Dr. Fawzia Afreen, developed Chibafreen as a novel way to combine two of the steps, thereby increasing efficiency and profitability. 

Chibafreen is applicable to a broad range of agricultural operations, but its value to cannabis and hemp farmers is enormous. Cannabis is a very complex plant with nearly endless combinations of terpenes and cannabinoids providing the basis for a wide variety of strains. Tissue culture propagation allows growers to lock in a repeatable genetic profile that guarantees consistency from one generation to the next, avoiding the common problem of genetic drift. This type of consistency is essential for both medicinal strains and retail brands, as consumers and patients alike need to be able to buy the same product over time.

Tissue culture is a key tool in eliminating diseases, contaminants, and pests from cannabis cultivation. The stability of the strains also allows growers to standardize and optimize feeding and fertilizing schedules that work best with each varietal.

With that technology in its bag, Pharmagreen went on a search to find the right location and market for its business. As often happens in the cannabis industry, the search led the company to California. Specifically, to Leggett, in Northern California’s renowned Mendocino County. Pharmagreen has an agreement to acquire Long Valley Farms, LLC, a cultivator with a legacy license in the state. The legacy status ensures the license will be grandfathered in regardless of the terms of the state’s anticipated new licensing system.

Long Valley Farms is a veganic grower working on a 12-acre property in the Leggett area. Veganic farming takes organic farming a step further as it doesn’t use any animal-based products such as bone meal, fish emulsion, or manure for fertilizer. Long Valley Farms is a no spray operation and utilizes on-site, plant-based materials to fertilize and encourage the growth of beneficial microbes and bacteria. 

The agreement would make Long Valley Farms a wholly owned subsidiary of Pharmagreen, and would include the land, licenses, and current operations of the company. Once the deal is finalized, Pharmagreen intends to build a state-of-the-art, Internet of Things greenhouse facility to expand the cannabis cultivation capacity on site. 

The Plan Going Forward

Pharmagreen is looking at a 5 month timeline to build the greenhouse once Long Valley Farms is acquired, with crops harvested every two months following completion of the facility. Once the greenhouse is built, the company intends to focus on the development of its tissue culture facility. This facility will not only make the Long Valley Farms operation better and more efficient, it will also provide a separate revenue stream for Pharmagreen as a whole.

There is a shorter-term path to revenue for the company, and it involves the processing of live rosin from existing grow operations. Extracts from cannabis plants are a major growth sector of the industry, but most extraction methods (like ethanol, CO₂, butane, etc.) tend to destroy many of the terpenes and cannabinoids from the original plant in search of one active ingredient like CBD or THC. Live rosin extraction uses a whole plant press without solvents to create an extract with all the active ingredients of the original plant.

Active cannabis ingredients are thought to work best in concert with each other, through a phenomenon called the Entourage Effect. The live rosin process preserves that effect while providing an extract that can be used to make the types of derived products, like edibles and topicals and vape pens, that are becoming so prevalent in the industry.

Pharmagreen has the equipment necessary to produce about $18,000 of live rosin per day. The company has applied for a local manufacturing license that will allow them to immediately start production and is also eyeing opportunities in the Leggett area with established licenses for lease to jump start revenue generation.

So, the plan for Pharmagreen’s corporate development looks like this:

• Step 1 – Live rosin production and sales. Very near term and immediate revenue generation once licensed.
• Step 2 – Finalize Long Valley Farms asset, license, and land acquisition and begin 5 month greenhouse build. Near term.
• Step 3 – Establish and expand brands in concert with increased production capacity.
• Step 4 – Expand with Chibafreen tissue culture facility. Approximately 2 years from now.
• Step 5 – Offer ancillary services such as DNA testing and cold storage associated with tissue culture.

The Upshot

Pharmagreen Biotech represents an early-stage investment opportunity in California, one of the world’s largest and most mature legal cannabis markets. Pharmagreen has an incremental and reasonable development plan, with many key assets in place. The company is committed to transparency with its investors and has recently uplisted to the OTCQB market, with the attendant heightened requirements.

There is much more to discuss regarding Pharmagreen, including the people who run the company, a deeper dive into the tissue culture technology, and a look at the benefits of veganic farming (both from an agricultural and marketability standpoint). We will be getting to those topics and more. For now, keep an eye on Pharmagreen as it advances the manufacturing and sale of live rosin, the acquisition of Long Valley Farms, and subsequent greenhouse build. 

Interested parties are encouraged to find out more here, and view Pharmagreen’s current corporate deck here.

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 Robin Lefferts

Robin Lefferts has been involved in the legal cannabis industry since 2012, sometimes as an active participant and always as an interested observer.

The state of Michigan is one of the hottest legal cannabis markets in the United States. According to Andrew Brisbo, Executive Director of Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency, the state recently passed the $3 billion dollar mark in total sales since October 2018. For 2021 alone, total sales topped $1.79 billion. The industry has been growing steadily in Michigan since its inception. In the graph below, the bottom orange line represents medical sales, the middle gray line is recreational sales, and the top yellow line is the total sales.

Source: Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency

Michigan’s market is ranked the 7th largest in the US and is knocking on the doors of more established and larger markets like Illinois, Oregon, and Massachusetts. Considering the growth there, and the generally friendly regulatory environment, Michigan would be a logical choice as a place to start for a company with ambitions to become a successful multi-state operator (MSO).

Click here to learn more about investing in Michigan Cannabis

Hero Technologies Inc. (OTC: HENC) is one company that has taken notice and is acting on it. The company has completed the prequalification process for licensing in Michigan and is contemplating the construction of a large cultivation facility in the state. Let’s take a look at what Hero Technologies is up to and where the business might be headed.

Innovative Cultivation System

Hero Technologies owns a majority, controlling interest in  BlackBox Systems and is applying for licenses through this subsidiary. BlackBox, and its founder and CEO Marc Kasabasic, have been operating in Michigan as medical caregivers. With Hero’s backing, the company is looking to greatly expand operations in the state with new adult-use and medicinal licenses. The key to the company’s approach is a patent-pending aeroponic cultivation system. In the video below, Kasabasic discusses the innovative system and its capabilities.

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Potential advantages of the system include extensive automation, elimination of soils and other substrates, no pesticides, decrease in parasite risk, and high efficiency. The proposed cultivation facility employs the use of sun chambers, rather than a typical greenhouse design. Sun chambers are built like normal buildings, with insulated walls, but have glass roofs to allow for sunlight. The design is sturdier in the face of severe weather than a full greenhouse while taking advantage of both the heat retention of traditional structures and the reduced lighting requirements of greenhouses.

The 120 acre site in Pulaski, MI has been chosen and much work has been done on the design and permitting processes with the various local and state regulators. Hero Technologies plans to use the facility as the cornerstone of its vertically integrated business model. The company’s strategic business plan includes cannabis genetic engineering, farmland for both medical and recreational cannabis cultivation, production licenses, distribution licenses, consumer packaging, and retail and dispensary operations that make the company a multi-state operator.

Hero Technologies is in the process of upgrading its listing with OTC Markets to the OTCQB level. OTCQB companies have heightened certification and reporting requirements that ensure a high level of transparency for potential investors and stakeholders.

Investors are encouraged to keep an eye on Hero Technologies’ developments over the coming quarters. Hero represents an early-stage opportunity in the flourishing Michigan legal cannabis market, and the company hopes to expand well beyond those borders in the coming years. Stay tuned.

Click here to learn more about investing in Michigan Cannabis

Disclaimer

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

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 Robin Lefferts

Robin Lefferts has been involved in the legal cannabis industry since 2012, sometimes as an active participant and always as an interested observer.

Depression, or more formally Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is a widespread and growing problem across the globe. In the United States in 2019, 19.4 million adults (7.8% of all adults) were estimated to have a major depressive episode. About two-thirds of these people received treatment of some sort, and the most effective treatments produce roughly 30 to 40 percent remission rates. As a result of the pandemic and related stresses, prevalence of depressive symptoms in US adults shot up to a staggering 27.8% in 2020, and 32.8% in 2021.

The opportunity is enormous for those able to develop better forms of treatment for MDD. Axsome Therapeutics’ (NASDAQ: AXSM) lead drug candidate, AXS-05, showed 52.5% remission after 6 weeks of treatment and even higher rates with longer treatment periods. In 2020, the company estimated peak sales of AXS-05 for the treatment of MDD could range from $1 billion to $3 billion annually. AXS-05 has been awaiting FDA approval since August, 2021.

Meanwhile, psychedelic therapies for MDD have shown great promise. A quick search of the Internet will reveal that much. But there are major barriers to approval and widespread acceptance of these therapies. First, many of the drugs are Schedule 1 substances subject to strict federal regulation. Second, many of them involve intense hallucinogenic experiences that make many people hesitant to try them while requiring a long period of clinical supervision during treatment. Third, most psychedelic substances are in the public domain and can’t be patented, meaning that companies may not be motivated to spend the money and time necessary to bring them through trials and to the market.

BetterLife Pharma Inc. (CSE: BETR) (OTCQB: BETRF) (FRA: NPAU) has developed a drug candidate that may be a viable alternative for the treatment of neuro-psychiatric and neurological disorders. BetterLife’s BETR-001 is a synthesized derivative of LSD that demonstrates the benefits of its ‘parent’ but without the hallucinogenic side effects and regulatory hurdles possible with other psychedelic compounds. BetterLife has applied for a comprehensive patent, and recent developments show the company proceeding through preclinical studies to an anticipated Phase 1 trial in Q3 2022.

How does BetterLife Pharma potentially improve existing psychedelic therapies? Click to see CEO Dr. Ahmad Doroudian discuss the company’s innovations.

Recent Developments Promising

BetterLife Pharma recently announced two positive developments for the advancement of BETR-001. First, the company obtained good results from its preclinical work that was focused on bioavailability and the effect food would have on the uptake of the drug. Results showed the presence of food, or the lack thereof, did not significantly affect bioavailability, with systemic circulation of the drug reported around 60%. Importantly, maximum concentration was reached around 30 minutes after administration indicating quick uptake. On the other end, the drug was shown to leave the system at a consistent rate, suggesting that drug accumulation and possible toxicity are not likely.

“We are very pleased with the results of the first oral PK study for BETR-001 drug manufactured by BetterLife’s patented synthesis and formulation process. Although 2-bromo-LSD has been tested in rodents and human studies in the past, this is the first study to characterize its PK profile in vivo”, stated BetterLife’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ahmad Doroudian. He added, “These data, together with the ongoing IND-enabling nonclinical toxicology studies, will support the filing of BETR-001’s IND application with the FDA and initiation of human clinical trials in H2 2022.”

What Conditions Is BetterLife Pharma Looking To Treat With Its Novel Therapeutics?

In the second bit of news, BetterLife announced generally positive feedback from its pre-investigational new drug (pre-IND) meeting with the FDA. The pre-IND process helps the company prepare its IND filing, necessary for the initiation of clinical trials, and gives the FDA a look at the company’s plans for the drug.

CEO Dr. Ahmad Doroudian stated, “The response from the FDA confirms that our current program will support the filing of BETR-001’s IND application and initiation of human clinical trials by the third quarter of this year. Being a non-hallucinogenic derivative of LSD makes BETR-001 a unique molecule with therapeutic potential for the treatment of debilitating psychiatric and neurological disorders with high unmet need, such as major depressive disorders and cluster headaches. Our team is fully dedicated to start the human clinical trials in the United States by early second half of this year.”

Potential Catalysts

There are several upcoming events and developments that could work as catalysts for BetterLife Pharma. More data will likely be announced prior to the company’s anticipated IND filing and commencement of clinical trials for BETR-001, targeted for Q3 2022. On top of the  treatment for MDD discussed above, BetterLife is eyeing cluster headaches as another indication to be investigated in the trials.

What Kind Of Developments Could BetterLife Pharma See In The Coming Months?

The company is also looking for results from its Phase 2 inhalable interferon/COVID-19 trial in Chile. If the results there look good, BetterLife plans to move quickly into an IND application with the FDA in the United States that would set in motion a US-based Phase 2 trial of the promising treatment.

With the COVID and depression treatments taking center stage recently, BetterLife’s Interferon/HPV trial program has been tabled to an extent. Phase 2b trials will be the next step in this drug’s development. The company is exploring options to move both the HPV and COVID drugs, both based on interferon, into a new vehicle that could create significant shareholder value in the short term. Options range from partnering with other drug development companies to creating a subsidiary or separate entity entirely.

Overall, BetterLife Pharma represents a compelling opportunity in novel therapeutic development. It’s compounds are patentable improvements on naturally occurring substances with the potential to treat conditions like MDD, migraines, and even COVID-19. Stay tuned as BetterLife makes its way through this pivotal year in the company’s development.

BetterLife Pharma is focused on developing and commercializing compounds to treat neurological and neuro-psychiatric disorders as well as viral infections.

Interested readers are encouraged to contact the company via Manager of Investor Relations David Melles, at [email protected].

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 Robin Lefferts

Robin Lefferts has been involved in the legal cannabis industry since 2012, sometimes as an active participant and always as an interested observer.

Researchers believe that psychedelics may revolutionize mental health treatments, but FDA-approved psychedelics remain out of reach—with one exception. Unlike psilocybin or MDMA, ketamine is FDA-approved for anesthesia during medical procedures, opening the door to off-label use as a treatment for depression and other mental illnesses.

With the FDA’s approval of Spravato and a growing body of research supporting ketamine, patients are increasingly turning toward these clinics to solve their unmet medical needs.

Ketamine clinics charge between $450 and $500 per treatment, with each patient needing approximately six treatments. In aggregate, some analysts estimate that the market is already worth north of $16 billion per year, with rapid growth possible over the coming years. 

Let’s take a look at three ways that you can invest in ketamine clinics.

Revitalist Lifestyle

Revitalist Lifestyle & Wellness Ltd. (CSE: CALM) (OTC: RVLWF) (FSE:4DO) is one of the most exciting pure-plays in the ketamine clinic space. Since opening its first clinic in 2018, the company has built a network of eight clinics across four states, with two additional clinics to open by the end of the year in Bethesda, MD and a second Knoxville, TN location. In addition, January 1, 2022 will see two newly acquired clinics in Richmond, VA. and Jacksonville, FL, with more than 60,650 sq. ft. of space and clinical capacity for more than 120 treatment rooms. All of Revitalist’s treatments are provided by certified registered nurse anesthetists with ketamine experience and mental health or psychiatric practitioners licensed to administer the drug.

Last quarter, the company reported $1.55 million in revenue and $1.17 million in gross income for the ten months leading up to October 31, 2021. Management believes that its existing 120 treatment rooms could generate upwards of $60 million in annual revenue, while it plans to open 50 clinics in 2022 before reaching 150 clinics by 2025.

The company also plans to launch a telemedicine platform over the coming months. These efforts could significantly expand its addressable market across geographies. And with its 60% acquisition of Revitaland Meta Tech Inc., the platform could expand to include virtual clinics in the metaverse—a rapidly growing innovation spearheaded by Facebook.

Click here to learn more about investing in Revitalist

Field Trip Health

Field Trip Health Ltd. (NASDAQ: FTRP) is the largest ketamine clinic operator with a $150 million market capitalization. In addition to psychedelic drug development, the company operates six clinics and plans to expand to 75 locations by 2024. These clinics provide psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy with the help of ketamine.

The company also provides a digital platform to support patients through their therapeutic journey. The platform offers mood monitoring, mindfulness tools, information, and guided meditations, along with video calls and asynchronous text communication. The goal is to help collect data and improve patient outcomes.

Novamind

Novamind Inc. (CSE: NM) (OTC: NVMDF) operates a network of six ketamine clinics and clinical research sites in Utah. In 2022, the company plans to add new clinics in Utah and expand into Arizona for a total of ten clinics. These will include a center for immersive psychedelic experiences in Park City, Utah, a world-class travel and wellness destination.

In addition to ketamine therapies, the company operates a full-service psychedelic contract research organization (CRO) with three clinical research sites and a DEA Schedule 1 license for psilocybin research. These facilities could help it play a role in the study and eventual approval of psilocybin, MDMA, and other psychedelic therapies.

Looking Ahead

Ketamine clinics are quickly becoming a multi-billion dollar business driven by rapidly growing demand. Investors interested in the space have several options, including pure-plays like Revitalist Lifestyle & Wellness Ltd. (CSE: CALM) (OTC: RVLWF). 

For more information, visit the company’s website or download their investor presentation.

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.

Europe is the second-largest CBD market in the world after North America, with over 500 million potential customers. According to Brightfield Group, the European CBD market will grow from €270 million in 2018 to €1.4 billion by 2023, representing a blistering 42% compound annual growth rate, making it one of the fastest-growing markets.

While European regulators debate CBD classifications, hemp-based CBD is legal in most countries as long as it contains <0.2% THC. Many large CBD companies are waiting on the sidelines for clear European Union guidelines, but smaller companies are increasingly entering the space and building a lucrative market presence.

Multi-National Opportunities

The North American CBD market is already well-established after the 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the DEA’s list of controlled substances. As the U.S. and Canadian markets mature, many companies are looking to expand into faster-growing markets—like Europe. And, their operational experience could give them a significant leg up.

CBD Life Sciences Inc. (OTC Pink: CBDL) recently announced plans to expand its hemp product line into Europe. In particular, it hopes to expand its retail division into France, Italy, and Switzerland to reach more customers and build an international base of operations. Aside from Germany and the U.K., these are among the largest regional markets.

“There are many perks when it comes to taking a company global and we have been working diligently to eventually make this happen,” says CEO Lisa Nelson. “By taking our business global, we will have access to a much larger base of customers, and this is a wonderful opportunity to take our revenues to an all-time high.”

CBD Life Sciences operates retail CBD locations in Arizona and an online platform. In addition, the company is pioneering the development of CBD vending machines to reach customers with less capital expense than a brick-and-mortar location. The company also recently launched a Bitcoin vending machine to draw customers to its retail locations.

Investing in Domestic Startups

The rising interest in CBD across Europe has spawned many startups across the region. For instance, Germany’s Sanity Group raised more than $20 million to launch its wellness brand, VAAY, and pharmaceutical brand, Vayamed, sold in German beauty stores and online. The company even launched a series of television ads.

Many European startups have also become acquisition targets for multi-national CBD companies. For example, World High Life acquired U.K. CBD brand Love Hemp for £9 million and invested £2 million into the business following the 2019 acquisition. These kinds of deals could become even more common over time as the market matures.

Looking Ahead

Europe’s CBD market already represents over 30% of the global market—just shy of North America’s 40% market share. Investors interested in the space may want to consider U.S. companies expanding into the region, such as CBD Life Sciences Inc. (OTC Pink: CBDL), while high net worth investors might participate in European startup rounds.

To learn more about CBD Life Sciences, visit the company’s website at www.lbcbioscienceinc.com.

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.

Countries worldwide are adopting tobacco harm reduction policies to reduce smoking-related deaths and diseases. While smoking prevention and cessation are the centerpieces of these strategies, scientists believe that public health outcomes among smokers could significantly improve if they switch to non-combustible alternatives.

Heat-not-burn products, such as Philip Morris’ IQOS, may reduce exposure to harmful chemicals found in conventional tobacco products. While the FDA allows IQOS to make these claims, some studies suggest that heat-not-burn tobacco products are only slightly less harmful than traditional cigarettes—making them suboptimal harm reduction tools.

Poda Holdings Inc. (CSE: PODA) (OTC: PODAF) (FSE: 99L) has spent the past six years developing heat-not-burn products. Unlike IQOS and other competitors, Poda’s Beyond Burn products contain a unique tobacco-free blend of pelletized tea leaves infused with synthetic nicotine. The result: Consumers get the experience of tobacco without the harmful effects of tobacco.

Click here to receive an investor presentation and corporate updates

Innovative Technology

Poda Holdings’ flagship Beyond Burn Poda Pods are filled with a patented blend of tea leaves and synthetic nicotine that perfectly mimics tobacco, offering adult smokers a smoke-free alternative to their regular habit without sacrificing satisfaction. Since these pods mimic tobacco, there’s far less appeal to underage users than vape products.

In addition to its tobacco-free contents, the unique design leads to a zero cleaning experience that’s unique in the heat-not-burn industry. The compostable pods can also be adjusted to contain nearly any substance of interest, including caffeine-infused products, cannabinoid-infused products, real tobacco, or medicinal herbs.

The company has built a robust intellectual property portfolio surrounding its pods, devices, and manufacturing processes, including patents in over 60 countries worldwide. As the heat-not-burn industry grows, the patent portfolio could become a massive licensing opportunity or motive behind an acquisition by a tobacco giant.

Compelling Economics

The global tobacco market generates about $800 billion in annual revenue with about 1.3 billion adult smokers. As governments seek to curb smoking, smoking alternatives have become increasingly popular. Phillip Morris believes that heat-not-burn products could entirely replace cigarettes within 20 years.

CEO Ryan Selby discusses the company’s Advisory board

The tobacco-free nature of Poda Holdings’ products means that they aren’t subject to tobacco duties. As a result, the products can be sold at a lower price point or higher profit margins than tobacco-based competitors. At the same time, the razor-razorblade business model translates to high-margin recurring income over time.

Currently, the company manufactures and packages products in China using an extremely low-cost automated process. The small-scale pilot manufacturing capabilities alone provide more than 400,000 pods per month, while the company recently delivered an order for 500,000 Beyond Burn Poda Pods to a significant customer.

Looking Ahead

Poda Holdings Inc. (CSE: PODA) (OTC: PODAF) (FSE: 99L) offers investors a unique ground-floor and pure-play opportunity to invest in heat-not-burn products. In addition to scaling up production, the company recently hired Christoph Tepr, a Big Tobacco sales leader, to spearhead its expansion across Europe and other international markets.

Click here to receive an investor presentation and corporate updates

Disclaimer

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

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.