IRVINE, CA, April 10, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Cannabis Science, Inc. (OTC: CBIS), a U.S. company specializing in the development of cannabinoid-based medicines, is pleased to announce that the Company’s strategic partner in South Africa, Elpasso Farms, has just been awarded one of the first licenses to cultivate medical cannabis by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).
“Together with Cannabis Science, we have the opportunity to take a leadership position in the medical cannabis industry in South Africa and develop medicines that can help millions of people throughout Africa. We are one of the few companies to qualify for a medical cannabis license in South Africa. Elpasso Farms is positioned to commence the cultivation of medical cannabis to support the Company’s research and development initiatives that are currently underway in South Africa, North America, Europe, and other international jurisdictions. Furthermore, this presents an outstanding opportunity for Elpasso to multiply our partnerships in South Africa to help drive the Company’s international growth through additional, larger-scale drug development programs and new manufacturing expansions to be announced shortly. We are quite pleased with our collaboration with Cannabis Science,” stated Dr. Brylyne Chitsunge, Elpasso Farm’s CEO.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment for our South African partner, Elpasso Farms; we are very pleased to be affiliated with Ambassador Chitsunge and her team!” stated Mr. Raymond C. Dabney, Cannabis Science’s President, CEO, and Co-founder.
Elpasso Farms is a well-established and thriving farm in South Africa. The site is located in Cullinan, a small town approximately 30 kilometers east of Pretoria. The CEO of Elpasso Farms, Dr. Chitsunge, is one of South Africa’s most successful female farmers and an internationally acclaimed expert in agribusiness. Dr. Chitsunge belongs to various local and international bodies, including the Commonwealth Smart Partnership, Clinton Global Initiative, and African Heritage Society. Dr. Chitsunge currently serves as the Pan-African Parliament’s Food Security Ambassador. The Pan-African Parliament is the legislative body of the African Union. General information on the Pan-African Parliament and the African Union can be viewed at https://au.int/en/organs/pap and https://au.int/.
CBIS established an exclusive partnership agreement with Elpasso Farms, considered one of the most successful commercial farms in South Africa, last year. Under the terms of the agreement, CBIS and Elpasso Farms are collaborating to implement a phytomedicines initiative in South Africa. Specifically, the parties intend to establish research, development, cultivation, testing, manufacturing, and production facilities all supported with its University and course curriculum partnership offerings in collaboration with the Global Health Catalyst at Harvard Medical School on Elpasso’s 1,000-acre site in Cullinan, South Africa.
“CBIS’ partnership with Elpasso Farms will help the Company create a vertically integrated, international organization,” added Mr. Dabney. “Our objective is to standardize the development of CBIS’ medicines from farm-to-bedside, and firmly establish the Company as a leader and recognized innovator in the market for cannabinoid-based medicines.”
On July 9, 2018, Cannabis Science announced the signing of another historic collaboration agreement with Elpasso Farms, Harvard Medical School’s Global Health Catalyst (GHC), and American States University (ASU). This agreement calls for the development of initiatives throughout Africa to strengthen its economic and healthcare infrastructure through education, agriculture, technology, and food security. This collaboration was initially discussed during the GHC Summit at Harvard Medical School on May 25-27, 2018.
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The initial outcome of the collaboration with CBIS, Elpasso Farms, GHC Harvard Medical School, and ASU will be the creation of a new University, the Pan African Agriculture and Commerce University (PAACU), with world-class education and research, focused on agriculture, food security, and healthcare accessibility throughout the African continent.
Ambassador Chitsunge will serve as the Chancellor of the newly formed PAACU, and will focus on:
- Implement agricultural and food security programs, with an emphasis on micro-nutrients, to improve the overall health of Africa’s population;
- Implement educational programs for micro-nutrient expansion;
- Implement educational programs for food security and safety;
- Implement educational programs for indigenous agriculture/farming;
- Implement tele-education, non-traditional hybrid, and traditional education programs to strengthen Africa’s healthcare infrastructure;
- Implement access to higher quality healthcare for all Africans;
- Implement education courses to specifically increase the number of skilled healthcare resources, including the number of nurses and physicians, working throughout Africa;
- Reduce healthcare disparities between developed and developing countries;
- Implement the use of phytomedicines that are developed and manufactured in Africa for patients throughout Africa;
- Implement financial endowment programs, grants, local, regional, and national scholarships; and
- Engage government, private sector, academia, civil society, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, international finance institutions, for community support programs.
Cannabis Science’s primary objective is to research and develop U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved, cannabinoid-based medicine to fight a number of targeted critical ailments, including various Cancers, Neurological Conditions, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Sleep Deprivation, Chronic Pain, HIV/AIDS, Autism, Parkinson’s Disease, Epilepsy, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and others. CBIS and its collaborators are well underway on a number of research projects targeting Lung Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Chronic Pelvic Pain, and Oro-bucco-lingual Dyskinesias.
As was announced during the 2018 GHC Summit at Harvard Medical School, Cannabis Science and Elpasso Farms have entered into an exclusive partnership to implement a phytomedicines initiative in South Africa. Specifically, Cannabis Science and Elpasso Farms will establish research, development, cultivation, testing, manufacturing, and production facilities on Elpasso’s site in South Africa. This collaboration also calls for the establishment of PAACU, in collaboration with Cannabis Science’s educational partner, ASU. PAACU will specialize in agriculture, medicine, law, and business programs, and will offer a variety of certificate courses and conduct formal research programs using a variety of cannabinoids from associated indigenous plants. PAACU will be responsible for seed incubation, growing, and cultivation of a variety indigenous plants including Cannabis and Hemp.
Similar to the other CBIS Economic Development projects, the Elpasso Economic Development project will utilize the University platform to provide PAACU scholarships for educating local and regional residents in several different industries applicable to their area, with a heavy focus on agriculture and farming. PAACU topics will be focused on general good farming practices and specialized crops, including topics on the many applicable uses of cannabis and industrial hemp agriculture. Farm assessments, depending on the demographic regulatory environment and the application, will allow the group to use large land deals for scale and recoupment costs. The Elpasso PAACU economic stimulus is expected to significantly contribute to providing education opportunities for locals and local area job creation, all in support of CBIS’ drug development initiatives.
About Elpasso Farms
Elpasso is considered one of the most successful farms in South Africa. This 1,000-acre farm is located in Cullinan, a small town approximately 30 kilometers east of Pretoria. Elpasso grows hybrid crops and a wide range of quality vegetables which are supplied to national supermarket chains and restaurants throughout South Africa. Elpasso Farms also partners with schools and universities to promote a sustainable farming culture. The farm regularly welcomes decision-makers, heads of government, parliamentarians, European Union delegates, International Federation of Agriculture Journalists, primary, high school and university students, giving them a profound and educational on-site experience of farming. Elpasso will facilitate the agriculture and food security initiatives proposed in this Agreement, in collaboration with GHC, CBIS, and ASU. Through its current initiatives in South Africa, Elpasso promotes the importance of micro-nutrients as a critical component of overall good health.
About Cannabis Science, Inc.
Cannabis Science, Inc. takes advantage of its unique understanding of metabolic processes to provide novel treatment approaches to a number of illnesses for which current treatments and understanding remain unsatisfactory. Cannabinoids have an extensive history dating back thousands of years, and currently, there are a growing number of peer-reviewed scientific publications that document the underlying biochemical pathways that cannabinoids modulate. The Company works with leading experts in drug development, medicinal characterization, and clinical research to develop, produce, and commercialize novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment for illnesses caused by infections as well as for age-related illness. Our initial focus is on cancers, HIV/AIDS, and neurological conditions. The Company is proceeding with the research and development of its proprietary drugs as a part of this initial focus: CS-S/BCC-1, CS-TATI-1, and CS-NEURO-1, respectively.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. A statement containing words such as "anticipate," "seek," intend," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "project," "plan," or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based drugs. Cannabis Science, Inc., does not undertake any duty nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements. Safe Harbor Statement. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a 'safe harbor' for forward looking statements. Certain of the statements contained herein, which are not historical facts are forward looking statements with respect to events, the occurrence of which involved risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements may be impacted, either positively or negatively, by various factors. Information concerning potential factors that could affect the company is detailed from time to time in the company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact Information
Cannabis Science, Inc.
Mr. Raymond C. Dabney
President & CEO, Co-Founder
raymond.dabney@cannabisscience.com
Tel: 1-888-263-0832