PORTLAND, Ore., April 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kaya Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB:KAYS) is pleased to announce that it has joined a committee organized by Oregon State Agency officials which includes opioids crisis experts, academics, licensed marijuana industry experts and leading industry participants to explore ways to implement a Cannabis-Opioid Relief Program in Oregon. KAYS, which is participating under the Kaya Cares banner announced last November, is pleased to be part of the Oregon based program that, if successfully implemented, could be a national model for alleviating the opioids crisis.
At a recent meeting organized by state agency officials, KAYS company executives presented a position paper, and participated in discussions on the virtue of such a program, the challenges and barriers, and possible paths for implementation. The meeting was highlighted by expert opinions on research protocol, cannabis distribution and guidelines for participant eligibility.
“We are extremely grateful to have been invited to participate in this dialogue and are proud of the role we played in assisting in getting the discussion started,” stated Craig Frank, CEO of Kaya Holdings. “We remain committed to assisting in developing and launching this program so that people can consider replacing their dangerous opioid medications with equally effective cannabis. While we are excited to brand the program in our image for our stores, we very much welcome other cannabis retailers to join us under their own banner and to be part of a much larger initiative.”
“Any meaningful solution utilizing cannabis as a solution to the opioids crisis has to address a number of complicated economic and legal issues,” commented Kaya Holdings Senior Advisor W. David Jones. “The Federal prohibition on cannabis has stifled clinical trials for cannabis-based treatment programs, limiting the amount of usable data for the medical and scientific community, and preventing viable cannabis based opioid alternatives to be developed. We see a solution emerging that upon approval could deploy state licensed marijuana dispensaries (like the four Kaya Shacks™ that KAYS currently operates in Oregon) with appropriate oversight, for the quick start of a program which could yield lawful, legal data for the scientific and medical community and contribute to a near term solution to the crisis that kills approximately 50,000 each year in the United States.”
The Kaya Cares program has received tremendous public support, which the Company appreciates and hopes continues to drive a conversation on the use of cannabis as a safe and effective opioid substitute. An example of the public support received is:
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About Kaya Holdings, Inc. (www.kayaholdings.com)
KAYS (OTCQB:KAYS), through subsidiaries, produces, distributes or sells legal premium medical and recreational cannabis products, including flower, concentrates and oils, and cannabis-infused foods.
In 2014, KAYS, became the first publicly traded company to own and operate a Medical Marijuana Dispensary. KAYS presently operates four Kaya Shack™ OLCC licensed marijuana retail stores to service the legal medical and recreational marijuana market in Oregon (www.kayashack.com) Additionally, KAYS recently acquired a 26 acre parcel which it has targeted for development of the Kaya Farms™ Medical and Recreational Marijuana Grow and Manufacturing Complex.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: KAYS is planning execution of its stated business objectives in accordance with current understanding of State and Local Laws and Federal Enforcement Policies and Priorities as it relates to Marijuana (as outlined in the Justice Department's US Attorney General Jeff Sessions Memo dated January 4, 2018, and subsequent commentary from US Attorney for the District of Oregon Billy Williams), and plan to proceed cautiously with respect to legal and compliance issues. Potential investors and shareholders are cautioned that KAYS and MJAI will obtain advice of counsel prior to actualizing any portion of their business plan (including but not limited to license applications for the cultivation, distribution or sale of marijuana products, engaging in said activities or acquiring existing Cannabis production/sales operations). Advice of counsel with regard to specific activities of KAYS and MJAI, Federal, State or Local legal action or changes in Federal Government Policy and/or State and Local Laws may adversely affect business operations and shareholder value.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release includes statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements, usually containing the words "believe," "estimate," "project," "expect" or similar expressions. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, acceptance of the Company's current and future products and services in the marketplace, the ability of the Company to develop effective new products and receive regulatory approvals of such products, competitive factors, dependence upon third-party vendors, and other risks detailed in the Company's periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release.
For more information contact Investor Relations: 561-210-7664