NEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC Pink:MJNA) is proud to announce to shareholders and the public a joint effort with investment portfolio company Kannalife Sciences, Inc. (“Kannalife”) to open an opportunity for the public to “show their green” and participate in a fundraiser for research driven by Kannalife at Temple University for the potential use of cannabidiol as a treatment for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is the deadly concussion-related disease plaguing a high percentage of current and retired NFL football players and athletes participating in concussion-related sports.
As part of the fundraising initiative, Medical Marijuana, Inc. and Kannalife have co-sponsored and launched the “Show Your Green” public service announcement (PSA) to create awareness of CTE. Executives from both companies also explained to radio listeners on the U-T Community Spotlight radio show how to make a difference through medical research by visiting www.treatCTE.org.
At www.treatCTE.org, interested donors can “Show Your Green” by sharing photos along with the PSA video with their social networks. All funds committed will go directly into the CTE research being conducted by Kannalife at Temple University.
What is CTE?
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a life-threatening and debilitating disease and each football fan now has the opportunity to support awareness of CTE and make a move toward developing a treatment for the concussive injury. CTE is an oxidative stress (OS) related disease. Neural cells suffer functional or sensory loss in neurodegenerative diseases. Apart from several other environmental or genetic factors, oxidative stress leading to free radical attack on neural cells contributes a calamitous role in neurodegeneration.
Leading the “Show Your Green” PSA at www.treatCTE.org is Kannalife’s advisory board member and former NFL star defensive lineman, Marvin Washington. Washington now leads Kannalife’s efforts to expand on raising awareness for the disease and the need for a community-driven effort to support the research and development of therapeutic treatments to fight CTE. Speaking out on CTE and the NFL concussion lawsuit, Washington is calling on the public to “follow the signs” and “follow the science” in interviews including: ESPN’s Outside the Lines, NowThis, MSNBC, and Fox News Sports Court.
From 1988 to 1999, Washington played in 155 games over 11 seasons in the NFL, recording over 40 sacks in his eight years with the New York Jets, two years with the San Francisco 49’ers and as a member of the 1998 Superbowl champion Denver Broncos. Having been diagnosed with three known concussions and a countless number of subconcussions, the former NFL star is extremely passionate about helping individuals who are battling the debilitating and often deadly effects of CTE.
At www.treatCTE.org, Washington narrates the first of a short series of “Show Your Green” public awareness campaign videos, as he shares facts about CTE including:
- When a football player takes a hit, the impact to the brain is 98 times the force of gravity
- A recent study shows that 96% of former NFL players tested positive for CTE
- CTE has been linked to dementia, depression and suicide; and
- There is currently no effective treatment for CTE
Who is researching CTE?
Kannalife Sciences, Inc. (“Kannalife”), an MJNA portfolio company, is a phyto-medical company involved in the research and development of novel therapeutic agents designed to be neuroprotectants and immuno-modulators. Kannalife currently holds two licenses with the National Institutes of Health for U.S. Patent 6,630,507 “Cannabinoids as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectants.” These licenses are currently in use by Kannalife to develop novel therapeutic drugs to treat chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and hepatic encephalopathy (HE): http://www.google.com/patents/US6630507. Kannalife’s scientific team has researched the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on non-differentiated native neuronal cells and has determined cannabidiol’s potential as a target drug candidate to treat oxidative stress-related disorders, CBD’s therapeutic index, and CBD’s limitations in pharmaceutical target drug design.
In tandem with its findings on CBD, Kannalife has developed a new cannabidiol-like molecule called KLS-13019 that, through pre-clinical testing and pharmacokinetic (PK) studies, indicates improvement over CBD’s role as a neuroprotectant through increased potency, as well as potential for greater safety through reduced toxicity. Side-by-side comparisons between CBD and KLS-13019 have also shown that KLS-13019 has marked improvements over CBD in oral bioavailability, CNS penetration, blood-plasma concentrations, and cognitive improvement in murine behavioral models.
How can you help?
You can “Show Your Green” and assist in raising awareness in the fight for a cure for CTE though medical research, by going to www.treatCTE.org for details.
About Kannalife Sciences, Inc.
Kannalife Sciences, Inc. is a 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, on Kannalife, please visit the company’s website at: www.kannalife.com.
About Medical Marijuana Inc.
The mission of Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC Pink:MJNA) is to be the premier cannabis and hemp industry innovator, 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 on Medical Marijuana, Inc., please visit the company's website at: www.medicalmarijuanainc.com
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Medical Marijuana Inc. does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act (US.CSA). Their companies do grow, sell, and distribute hemp-based products and are involved with the federally legal distribution of medical marijuana-based products within certain international markets. Cannabidiol is a natural constituent of hemp oil.