SAN DIEGO, Dec. 08, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC Pink:MJNA) is pleased to announce to the public and its shareholders that the government of Brazil has approved chronic pain as a third indication for import of the Company’s cannabidiol (CBD) hemp oil product Real Scientific Hemp Oil™ (RSHO™). As seen on ABC 7 News, the first two indications to be approved for the import of RSHO™ by the Brazilian government are epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s patent number 6630507 states, “Cannabinoids have been found to have antioxidant properties, unrelated to NMDA receptor antagonism. This new found property makes cannabinoids useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of wide variety of oxidation associated diseases, such as ischemic, age-related, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.”
The patent also states, “Nonpsychoactive cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol, are particularly advantageous to use because they avoid toxicity that is encountered with psychoactive cannabinoids at high doses useful in the method of the present invention.”
A recent market survey report indicates that the global pain management market is projected to reach $60 billion (USD) this year. The National Institutes of Health website states, “Acute pain starts quickly and lasts less than 6 weeks. The site continues, “Chronic pain lasts for more than 3 months and is much less common than acute pain.”
Facts about chronic pain:
- Currently, more than 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from chronic pain of varying degrees
- 3-4.5% of the world’s population suffers from neuropathic (nerve related) pain, with the incidence rate proportionate to age
- Chronic pain affects about 100 million U.S. adults; this is more than heart disease, cancer and diabetes combined
- Chronic pain costs the U.S. up to $635 billion each year in medical treatment and lost productivity
- Other health problems accompany chronic pain including: fatigue, sleep disturbance, decreased appetite, and mood changes and may affect people’s ability to participate in daily tasks
Pain management medications are coming under increased scrutiny, as is evidenced by U.S. FDA warnings on the safety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) from July 2015. NSAIDs have a tendency toward injury of the mucosa of the GI tract causing ulceration, bleeding, etc. Labels of these medications must now show an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s cannabidiol (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. Non-GMO RSHO™ contains no pesticides, herbicides or heavy metals. Before becoming a finished product, RSHO™ goes through multiple quality tests by top cannabis industry and food laboratories.
Dr. Stuart W. Titus, Chief Executive Officer of Medical Marijuana, Inc. explains, “We sincerely commend the Brazilian government for allowing CBD hemp oil to be imported as a third indication. With the availability of non-psychoactive hemp CBD oil in Brazil, individuals of all ages can stand to benefit from this all-natural supplement.”
Titus continues, “Research has shown that cannabis is non-addictive. In contrast, this is extremely important to consider when researching just how addictive prescription pain medications can be.”
According to a report including data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH):
- Prescription drug abuse in the U.S. is the fastest-growing drug problem
- Nearly one-third of people aged 12 and over who used drugs for the first time in 2009 in the U.S. began by using a prescription drug non-medically
- Over 70 percent of people in the U.S. who abused prescription pain relievers got them from friends or relatives
In a report published by JAMA Internal Medicine, data indicates that in U.S. states with access to medical cannabis to manage chronic pain and other conditions, the annual number of deaths from prescription drug overdose has been reduced by 25 percent.
Today, on a case-by-case basis, residents of Brazil who have a government-recognized medical indication and want access to RSHO™ hemp oil products, may do so with a doctor's prescription and approved import documentation from ANVISA. The government agency issued a statement on its website and also explains how to apply for an import certificate. HempMeds Brasil™ has been working for more than a year on its formal product application and regulatory submission. The company expects this to take at least through 2016 to complete.
For additional information on RSHO™ hemp CBD oil products available for import, visit the HempMeds Brasil™ website here.
About HempMeds Brasil™
HempMeds Brasil™ is a corporate affiliated company of Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC Pink:MJNA) and is its exclusive distributor of RSHO™. HempMeds Brasil™ offers specialized marketing, sales, customer service, and logistics to supply natural hemp oil rich in CBD to the medical community and families of Brazil. For more information on HempMeds Brasil™ and their all-natural hemp oil products, visit: http://www.hempmeds.com.br. The Company invites the public to get involved in the conversation on the expanding cannabis industry with HempMeds Brasil™ through the Company's social media channels Facebook, Twitter and blog.
About Medical Marijuana Inc.
The mission of Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC Pink:MJNA) is to be the premier 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, 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. and HempMeds do not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act (US.CSA). These 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.