SAN DIEGO, July 15, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "Honestly, if you and I would have sat here two or three years ago, people would be saying, 'I would never invest in marijuana stocks,'" states Andrew Hard, CEO of CMW Media and Spokesperson for Medical Marijuana, Inc. (Pink Sheets:MJNA) during an interview by Cannabis Financial Network (CFN). "Literally, we are here at the show today with the International Cannabis Association in the middle of New York City - where I used to work as a journalist for over a decade. People here are asking, 'HOW can I invest my money into this industry?' and 'WHERE should I put it?' So we are light years away from where we were just a couple years before."
A recent video interview with Stuart W. Titus, PhD and CEO of Medical Marijuana, Inc., has valued the U.S. legal cannabis industry at $2.7 billion and, with full legalization, the projected value is $36.8 billion. With more than half of the U.S. states having some type of cannabis laws on the books, the nation is at a pivotal time in history when one could compare repealing alcohol prohibition to the return of legalized cannabis use.
Reflecting on today's cannabis industry, Hard continues, "Think about where it will be five years from now. There will be dispensaries here in New York City. As a college student here at New York University (NYU), I never would have dreamed that there would be dispensaries in New York."
Documentaries such as AWE TV's Marijuana Miracle Cure 3: Journey to Health and CNN's Weed 3: The Marijuana Revolution explain the science behind cannabis use as a means to educate the public. Hard goes on to explain in the interview by FCN that MJNA, the first publicly traded cannabis stock, is focused on supporting and fostering the growth of these pioneers of the cannabis industry. The full-circle scope of MJNA's portfolio ranges from investments in hemp biotech research and development to product manufacturing, marketing, sales, distribution plus retail security for cannabis retailers, growers and dispensaries.
For those considering investing in the cannabis space, Hard shares, "MJNA's portfolio enables investors to access and support these industry innovators that are empowering the return of the global industrial hemp and cannabis market."
One such company, as featured in a documentary by CNN, Weed 3: The Marijuana Revolution, is KannaLife Sciences – an MJNA portfolio investment. The privately held New York-based company holds an exclusive license from the National Institutes of Health to develop cannabis-based orphan drugs for two conditions: Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). HE is a degenerative liver disease that can be brought about by overuse of substances including alcohol to prescription medications.
CTE or "concussion syndrome" has plagued professional, collegiate and youth sports worldwide – as well as members of the armed forces who battle traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). CTE made headline news during the NFL's concussion lawsuit by former and active players. KannaLife Sciences tackles two hard-hitting health issues while it makes history as the first U.S. company to partner with the government to develop these types of cannabis-based drugs.
Another MJNA portfolio investment that is leading the hemp biosciences industry is AXIM Biotechnologies, Inc. (OTC:AXIM) that was just awarded exclusive rights to the world's first patent for cannabis chewing gum. AXIM Biotech's core belief is responsibility for environmental stewardship combined with development of innovative products to address current conditions with no known effective treatment including: Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease/dementia, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), PTSD, autism, MS, spasticity, pain, RLS (restless leg syndrome), glaucoma, IBD, IBS and Crohn's disease. AXIM Biotech is currently conducting clinical trials on a pharmaceutical-grade patented gum, MedChew RX, at the Free University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The Company's intent is to obtain FDA and EMA registration of MedChew RX as a pharmaceutical compound for treatment of pain and spasticity. AXIM Biotech is making historic announcements with its world's first retail food products, cosmetics and oral care products with hemp cannabinoids (ex. CBD, CBG, THC, etc).
Each of MJNA's portfolio companies is playing a major role in the reintroduction of hemp as a "whole food" and "super food" to the global environment, economy and daily lives of consumers worldwide. It took MJNA millions of dollars and years to achieve the creation and implementation of the world's largest CBD hemp oil pipeline to all 50 states, districts and territories. MJNA's CBD hemp oil is derived from the mature stalk of the hemp plant and is considered a food nutrient delivering the benefits of cannabinoids without the psychotropic/euphoric effects of THC. The Company is committed to consistently providing the highest-quality CBD hemp oil products on the market.
Hard concludes, "Medical Marijuana, Inc. is an historic first as the first publicly traded cannabis stock and we are grateful to CFN for giving us the platform to discuss MJNA's investment portfolio. In the days ahead, followers of MJNA and shareholders can expect exciting updates on the Company, its holdings and expanded efforts to communicate the great achievements that this dynamic organization is doing for the world."
For details on Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s portfolio and investment companies, visit www.medicalmarijuanainc.com. To see Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s video statement, click here.
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.