SAN DIEGO, April 20, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KannaLife Sciences ("KannaLife"), a Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC PINK:MJNA) portfolio company, is on the front lines developing novel cannabinoid based therapeutics and health care related solutions for the public. MJNA is proud to announce that KannaLife was the subject of extensive interviews in the making of the third part of CNN's documentary series Weed 3: The Marijuana Revolution. The program aired on Sunday, April 19 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. A link to additional program show times can be found here: http://www.locatetv.com/tv/weed-3-the-marijuana-revolution/9131590
In CNN's Documentary Weed 3: The Marijuana Revolution, Dr. Sanjay Gupta interviewed many cannabis science leaders including Mr. Dean Petkanas, CEO of KannaLife. When asked about the Company's cannabinoid-based research and development initiatives, Mr. Petkanas stated in Weed 3: The Marijuana Revolution, "Hopefully we can intervene in the process of late-stage neurodegeneration and suspend the process."
KannaLife Sciences Inc. (www.kannalife.com) is a late-stage biotechnology development company currently in pharmaceutical development of novel therapeutic agents designed for neuro-protection and neuro-modulation. The Company holds two license agreements with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to utilize the US Government Patent (#6,630,507) on the therapeutic usage of cannabinoids, which derive from the cannabis plant family (industrial hemp or marijuana). KannaLife is presently conducting research at the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center in Doylestown, PA, for target drug candidates to treat Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) as well as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Both are oxidative stress diseases that affect cognitive and behavioral function.
Medical Marijuana, Inc. along with PhytoSphere Systems and General Hemp, LLC are the lead investors in KannaLife's Series A financing round. Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s President and CEO, Stuart W. Titus states, "Having been a Board Member of KannaLife for many years now, I am excited to see that KannaLife is receiving this deserved attention by the media. The early-stage research has been phenomenal, which gives us great confidence that a future pharmaceutical product will usher in a new era for therapies involving nerve and neurological conditions. The recent addition of Dr. Bennet Omalu to the KannaLife Scientific Advisory Board shows that the scientific community shares KannaLife's vision of producing cannabinoid based target therapeutics as neuroprotectants and their potential to treat longtime sufferers – including those with CTE."
Dr. Omalu, a pathologist, was the first researcher to identify, describe and name CTE as a disease entity in football players and wrestlers. Dr. Omalu has testified twice before the United States Congress and has provided hundreds of testimonies as an expert witness in federal and state courts across the United States. Dr. Omalu is the focal point of the highly acclaimed PBS FRONTLINE documentary League of Denial.
Acute, late-stage CTE is a form of encephalopathy that has been found in professional athletes participating in contact and collision sports. The long-term effects of repetitive brain trauma and concussive head injury have also been found in military men and women who have been exposed to a blast or concussive injury. Individuals with CTE may show symptoms of dementia, such as memory loss, aggression, confusion and depression, which generally appear years or decades after the trauma.
As we have seen in recent news, concussions and their debilitating effects are affecting professional athletes of all ages. It was a direct cause of Chris Borland's decision to retire from the NFL after one stellar rookie season. Marvin Washington, retired NFL champion and now a KannaLife Sports Advisory Board Member, has spoken on behalf of thousands of active and past NFL players on the topic of CTE, concussions and the possibilities that cannabinoid-based science – specifically "CBD" – can provide. Marvin Washington has been a featured speaker at global conferences as well as on news features including:
Dr. Titus concludes, "This is a pivotal time in history. We are extremely grateful to CNN for their continued efforts to educate the public about cannabinoid-based science and target therapeutics using cannabis and hemp derivatives. KannaLife is an industry leader that is on the front lines developing cannabinoid-based therapeutics and solutions. The more that the public understands about cannabinoid therapeutics, hemp and cannabis (marijuana) – as well as cannabis derivatives such as cannabidiol (CBD) – the more this powerful botanical and its chemistry becomes accepted globally."
For additional information, visit www.KannaLife.com.
About KannaLife Sciences, Inc.
KannaLife Sciences, Inc. is a bio-pharmaceutical and phyto-medical company involved in the research and development of novel therapeutic agents designed to be neuroprotectants and immuno-modulators. KannaLife is currently conducting research and development at the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center in Doylestown, PA, for target drug candidates to treat Hepatic Encephalopathy ("HE") and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy ("CTE"). HE and CTE are oxidative stress related diseases that affect cognitive and behavioral functions. For more information, visit KannaLife.com.
About Medical Marijuana, Inc.
Our mission is to be the premier hemp industry innovators, leveraging our team of professionals to source, evaluate and purchase value-added companies and products, while allowing them to keep their integrity and entrepreneurial spirit. We strive to create awareness within our industry, develop environmentally-friendly, economically sustainable businesses, while increasing shareholder value. For more information, please visit the company's website at: www.MedicalMarijuanaInc.com.
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) DISCLOSURE
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Medical Marijuana, Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein.
LEGAL DISCLOSURE
Medical Marijuana, Inc. does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act (US.CSA). The Company does grow, sell and distribute hemp-based products and are involved with the federally legal distribution of hemp-based products within certain international markets. Cannabidiol is a natural constituent of hemp oil.