SEATTLE, April 01, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CFN Media Group (“CFN Media”), the leading agency and financial media network dedicated to the North American cannabis industry, announces the publication of an article covering International Cannabis Corp.’s strategic moves to become a vertically integrated company. The past year was a busy one for ICC International Cannabis Corp. (CSE: WRLD.U, FWB: 8K51, OTC: WLDCF), and their strategic moves throughout Q1 2019 have further bolstered their effort to create a worldwide “cannabis ecosystem;” a cannabis consolidation platform integrated within every vertical of the value chain, including medical coverage.
The company’s most recent announcement was its inclusion in the Canadian cannabis exchange-traded fund, the Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences ETF, a significant milestone for ICC as it continues to establish itself as the premier true vertical integration play within the nascent cannabis industry. Only stocks that meet minimum asset and liquidity thresholds are eligible for inclusion in the index.
Eugene Beukman, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of International Cannabis, said, “We are elated to be included in the HMMJ, the largest cannabis focused ETF offering direct exposure for investors to North American life sciences companies. International Cannabis is at the epicentre of the global cannabis industry and is uniquely positioned to capture significant market share as the global THC and CBD industries continue to mature. The Company will continue to optimize its upstream, downstream and distribution capabilities while integrating operational best practices into its medical plant production, extraction, active pharmaceutical ingredient isolation and finished dose manufacturing operations.”
The announcement followed closely on the heels of a licensing agreement with Authentic Brands Group, which enables ICC to market and distribute CBD-derived health & wellness products throughout Europe under the Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Greg Norman, Tretorn, Aéropostale, and Frederick’s of Hollywood brands, and potentially capture an even bigger market share across the entire health & wellness market.
Commenting on the agreement, Beukman said, “The European marketplace for CBD crosses nearly all demographics and product categories. We believe that whether consumers are familiar with CBD or are first time users, they will gravitate towards these recognizable brand names that already resonate strongly across other key categories, rather than a newly created branding effort, or niche so-called millennial brands, which is a path many other companies are taking. With operating licenses in 13 countries in Europe, a full-spectrum library of genetics, seeds and strains, a supply of on-hand organic product inventories ready for sale starting in Q2 2019, multiple EU-GMP certified facilities equipped to formulate and produce various product lines and experienced operations, branding, marketing and quality assurance personnel, ICC is in pole position to supply its distribution network and the consumer from seed to sale.”
On March 22, ICC announced the addition of Thalia Sodi, world-renowned singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur, and her brand of the same name to its existing licensing agreement with Authentic Brands Group, allowing it to market and distribute CBD-derived beauty & wellness products throughout Spain under the Thalia Sodi brand.
Sodi kicked-off 2019 with the national launch of her hair care line, Adria by Thalia, followed by nominations for Artist of the Year and Pop/Rock Collaboration of the Year at the Premio Lo Nuestro Awards last month. Her over 40 million followers across social media and more than 1.3 million unique followers in Spain, further elevates the profile of ICC.
Beukman explained, “Thalia has a tremendous global fan base and is equipped with an unparalleled appeal within Spanish speaking jurisdictions. The Thalia brand is entrenched within the Hispanosphere and provides a clear path for International Cannabis to develop and market transformative CBD-infused cosmetics and wellness products into existing Spanish distribution channels. The Company is elated to welcome Thalia to its world-class brand portfolio of CBD health and wellness brands, which includes Marilyn Monroe, Greg Norman, Elvis Presley, Tretorn, Aérpostale and Frederick’s of Hollywood.”
Daniel W. Dienst, ABG Executive Vice Chairman, added, “ICC has positioned themselves in Europe as one of the first movers and vertically integrated players in the health and wellness CBD space. We believe in the extraordinary potential of the CBD category look forward to collaborating with ICC to launch these brands in CBD across the European market.”
ICC Closes Private Placement
On March 8th, ICC announced that it has closed a non-brokered private placement consisting of 42,187,500 units of the company issued at US$0.32 per unit and secured convertible debentures for total gross proceeds of CAD$45M. ICC issued 42,187,500 Units at a price of US $0.32 per Unit. Each unit is comprised of one common share and one-half of one transferable share purchase warrant, and each share purchase warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional share at a price of US$0.50 for a period of two years from the closing date.
With an established presence on five continents, 110 clients representing over 3500 pharmacies in 16 countries, five licenses for cultivation on three continents and access to over 850 acres of premium hemp crops, International Cannabis truly lives up to its name, and based on its strategic moves over the past year alone, you’ll definitely want to keep an eye on ICC throughout 2019.
Established Presence in European Market
With European attitudes and regulations rapidly liberalizing, and a population of over 700 million – twice the size of Canada and the US combined - Europe is fast becoming the next big cannabis marketplace, and ICC has already established an impressive early footprint, positioning it for a starring role.
ICC currently boasts a presence in 13 European states via licensing or take-off agreements, a supply of product ready for sale in Q2, the iconic, world-class brands mentioned above, an experienced operational team as a result of ICC’s proposed 49.9% acquisition of Wayland Group enabling the formulation and production of additional product lines, and Europe’s first dedicated insurance program for medical cannabis patients through an agreement with Buywell Care announced in January.
The company's Danish assets mirror industry peers, such as Canopy Growth Corp., Green Organic Dutchman Holdings, Aurora Cannabis Inc. and Canntrust Holdings.
On Dec. 19, 2018, International Cannabis provided the following material progress updates pertaining to its Danish medical cannabis operations:
- Expansion of its Danish land parcel to 100 acres
- Engagement of leading greenhouse engineering and manufacturing firm, Azrom
- Finalization of project plan and submission of building permits
- Land development and infrastructure operations
- Construction and validation of its planned GMP (good manufacturing practices) manufacturing facility
- Continued augmentation of its seed/strain catalogue
- Establishment of genetics room and completion of successful test sprouts.
Denmark legalized medical cannabis on Jan. 1, 2018, following a unanimous vote by the Danish parliament. Since legalization, the Danish government has displayed strong support for cannabis development, in the form of research grants and tax incentives. Denmark has quickly evolved into a premier European jurisdiction for medical cannabis cultivation due to the following:
- Motivated and stable government
- Ample supply of low-cost power
- No medical cannabis production cap or quotas
- Access to skilled agricultural and manufacturing labor forces
- Local plant breeding and genetics expertise
- Well-financed health care system
- Established retail pharmacy network for product distribution
- Proximity to larger import-based markets, such as Germany, as well as the European Union
- International Cannabis controls a medical cannabis cultivation and manufacturing license in the Kingdom of Denmark.
A Growing Footprint in Two Emerging Markets
Latin America is shaping up as the next big global cannabis market, with a population of over 600 million, high rates of existing consumption, and ideal conditions for low-cost, high-quality cultivation & manufacturing, coupled with increasingly market-friendly attitudes and regulations. Colombia is expected to become the hub of the Latin American market, and ICC has established a solid footprint within the country.
ICC’s Colombian subsidiary, Canna Colombia Holdings, has obtained licenses to cultivate, produce, sell, and export cannabis and cannabis derivatives, with 13 hectares of optimal agricultural land conveniently located within 20-kilometres of Bogota International Airport. Construction of its Colombian Cannabis Centre of Excellence is currently underway, an industrial park designed to serve as headquarters for the company's flagship property. The Centre will bring together renowned growers, geneticists and service providers, and is forecast to produce between 25,000 and 40,000kg of dried Cannabis flowers per year, and once fully optimized, up to 500,000kg annually.
In the Kingdom of Lesotho, the first African nation to legalize medical cannabis, CanAfrica Holdings controls a license to cultivate, manufacture, supply, store, import, export and transport cannabis and derivative products, and offers access to larger African markets including neighboring South Africa, with a population of over 55 million. Aricannabis works on an exclusive basis with NuCare Health to provide Cannabis products to over 2,800 independent and corporate pharmacies across South Africa.
ICC believes that establishing an early footprint in Africa will allow the company to produce its own products and distribute them within Africa and through its substantial European distribution networks and into its award-winning BioCanna ADM automated retail system.
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