SAN DIEGO, Feb. 11, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC Pink:MJNA) and HempMedsPX™ – a corporate portfolio company of Medical Marijuana Inc. and the exclusive master distributor and contracted marketing company for CannaVest Corp. and Medical Marijuana, Inc. – are celebrating the U.S. government's decision to allow hemp farming in the U.S. with the long awaited passing of the Agricultural Act of 2014, commonly known as the "Farm Bill." The Company currently imports non-GMO cannabidiol (CBD)-rich industrial hemp oil internationally through their network of generational farms.
"This is the first piece of federal legislation to revive industrial hemp farming in the USA since World War II," states CannaVest Corp. VP of Product Development, Christopher Boucher. "From a HempMedsPX perspective, domestic hemp harvesting and production would translate to a decrease in importation fees and the ability to create good domestic jobs." HempMedsPX alone has created 25 full-time jobs over six months and is actively recruiting staff.
An American pioneer of the hemp industry, Boucher is the first to have legally planted a domestic hemp field twenty years ago at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Research Center in Imperial County, California. Although the hemp grown by Boucher was well documented and fully permitted by the USDA, the State of California ordered the federally-sanctioned field to be plowed under. "The Farm Bill prevents this from happening to upper educational institutions and Departments of Agriculture in states where cultivation of hemp is legal," continues Boucher.
The ten states that have legalized industrial hemp farming are: California, Colorado, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia. While HempMedsPX currently markets cannabidiol (CBD)-rich hemp oil supplements and body care products, Boucher notes that hemp can be made into a variety of other everyday products, including: paper, plastic, film, fabric, cellophane, resins, insulating foam, and furniture. Silica from hemp stalk can be mixed to form a solid material similar to concrete but without toxic byproducts inherent in concrete production, and industrial hemp can be turned into a highly sustainable biofuel. With up to four crop cycles possible annually, and hemp's ability to be grown in almost all of the country's diverse microclimates, Boucher is hopeful that industrial hemp agriculture could redefine American industry and local economies nationwide.
As part of the Company's continued support for the reintroduction of hemp agriculture in America, HempMedsPX is sponsoring Hemp Aide, a benefit concert featuring Kris Kristofferson Feb. 22 at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento. The concert will raise awareness of the benefits of industrial hemp, and will recognize hemp farmers, hemp businesses, and grassroots hemp agriculture supporters. Hemp Aide is made possible by the California State Grange and musician John Trudell of Hempstead Project Heart. Tickets are available online at: http://bit.ly/HempAide
About HempMedsPX
HempMedsPX offers mainstream marketing, sales, customer service, and logistics for the cannabis industry. HempMedsPX is a corporate portfolio company of Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC Pink:MJNA) and the exclusive master distributor and contracted marketing company for CannaVest Corp. (OTC:CANV) and Medical Marijuana Inc. In addition to handling sales and distribution, HempMedsPX is the communication hub for the Medical Marijuana Inc. portfolio of companies.
About CannaVest Corp.
CannaVest Corp. is in the business of investing and developing hemp-based businesses. CannaVest Corp. also develops, produces, markets and sells end-consumer products to the nutraceutical industry containing the hemp plant extract, cannabidiol (CBD). Additionally, the company resells—to third parties—raw product acquired by CannaVest Corp. pursuant to the company's supply international relationships. CannaVest Corp. seeks to take advantage of an emerging worldwide trend to re-energize the production of industrial hemp and to foster its many uses for consumers. Cannabinoids (cannabidiol/CBD) are natural constituents of the hemp plant, and CBD is derived from hemp stalk and seed. Additional information is available from OTCMarkets.com or by visiting CannaVest.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 Federally Legal Distribution of Medical Marijuana-based products within certain international markets. Cannabidiol is a natural constituent of hemp oil.